K.J. Pilcher

Benton Community’s Class 2A second-ranked Brenden Heying defeated Anamosa’s No. 3 Austin Scranton and West Delaware’s No. 4 Brent Yonkovic to claim the 190-pound title at the Bobcat Jerry Eckenrod Invitational on Saturday.

Ben Kueter and Gabe Arnold were standout high school wrestlers, finishing their final seasons together at Iowa City High. They saw limited action during their redshirt seasons with University of Iowa. Now, they are redshirt freshman wrestling for the Hawkeyes.

Evan Pulis wrestled behind a state qualifier, a state medalist and a state champion during his first three years at Linn-Mar. As a senior, he is making the most of his first and final season as a full-time starter. He had one of six pins for the Lions in a 49-25 dual win over Western Dubuque.

NCAA Division I programs will compete in the National Wrestling Coaches Association Multi-Divisional Duals for the first time since 2011. University of Northern Iowa will host the two-day event that includes men’s and women’s teams from NCAA Division I, II and III and NAIA.

Here are The Gazette’s second 2024-25 installment of area high school boys’ wrestling individual rankings.

The Pinning Combination podcast with The Gazette's K.J. Pilcher and hall of fame coach Dick Briggs welcomes the “Voice of College Wrestling” Tim Johnson

The first Iowa High School Athletic Association released its first dual rankings on Jan. 2. Williamsburg went 19-0 in the first half of the season and was voted No. 1 in Class 2A.

Cedar Rapids Kennedy senior Brent Bercerra missed last season due to injury. He is focused to utilize every moment of this season. Becerra posted a comeback win in the Cougars’ 44-27 dual win over Newton.

University of Northern Iowa posted a signature win over Nebraska Sunday at the McLeod Center. Iowa City High claimed Zimmerman Invitational title. Clear Creek Amana boys’, Vinton-Shellsburg girls’ earn runner-up finishes in the Wrestling Weekend That Was.

The dual came down to the final bout and Caleb Brown posted a come-from-behind pin to lift Class 1A No. 12 Lisbon to a 39-29 victory over 2A No. 8 Mount Vernon in the Lions Den Duals Saturday at Lisbon.

University of Iowa has always been a source for college wrestling coaches, going back to those under legendary coach Dan Gable. Now, former wrestlers under Tom Brands are influencing wrestlers across the country.

Here is The Gazette’s first 2024-25 installment of area high school boys’ wrestling individual rankings.

Coe posted a 2-0 dual record and entered the holiday break with a successful showing at the North Central Open. The Kohawks are in the midst of a training phase to prepare for the second half of the season, which begins with the NWCA Multi-Divisional Duals on Jan. 10-11 at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls.

University of Iowa’s No. 4 Kyle Parco used a first-period takedown and nearfall points and posted an 8-5 decision over North Carolina’s No. 6 Lachlan McNeil for the 149-pound title Monday night at the Soldier Salute. Iowa swept the men’s and women’s titles.

From hanging out in the wrestling room of the high school team his dad coached to the NCAA Division I awards stand, wrestling has always been Michael Caliendo’s top sports love. He reached his second straight Soldier Salute finals Monday at Xtream Arena in Caliendo.