K.J. Pilcher

Vinton-Shellsburg’s Chloe Sanders loves wrestling and appreciates every chance she gets to take the mat. She takes advantage of those moments, earning her second state finals appearance at the Class 1A state tournament Friday at Xtream Arena in Coralville.

Jesup qualified for its first State Duals tournament in 2024. The J-Hawks haven’t missed it in the last three seasons and are the No. 2 seed in Class 1A.

The Iowa High School Athletic Association State Duals tournament is set for Saturday at Xtream Arena in Coralville.

Linn-Mar’s Chloe Adamson and Cedar Rapids Prairie’s Emelia Reyes missed placing at last year’s state tournament. They worked hard over the last year and advanced to the semifinals for their first medal at the girls state wrestling tournament Thursday at Xtream Arena in Coralville.

Kate Martin and Kiersteen Swart didn’t know each other until they started to practice together last season. The pair have forged a strong rapport through wrestling and are both in the Class 1A state semifinals.

University of Iowa wrestles its first multi-dual weekend of the season. The Hawkeyes travel to No. 2 Ohio State on Friday for a rematch of the National Duals Invitational finals in November. Iowa (9-4, 2-2 Big Ten Conference) will try to avenge the 27-12 loss to the Buckeyes (16-0, 5-0). The Hawkeyes close the weekend at Michigan State (4-6, 1-4) on Sunday.

The Gazette sports writer K.J. Pilcher is joined by The Courier sports writer Jim Nelson to talk about Iowa college and high school wrestling from the past week and upcoming matchups.

Seventh-ranked Iowa City West won the first five matches and rolled to a 50-22 victory over No. 13 North Scott in a Class 3A regional dual Tuesday at home. The Trojans advance to State Duals for the first time since 2014.

Iowa State, Iowa and University of Northern Iowa had held steady most of the season but all three dropped in the latest National Wrestling Coaches Association dual rankings.

West Delaware has applied a team philosophy to an individual sport. The Hawks have thrived in duals and look to continue that success, hosting a Class 2A regional Tuesday in Manchester.

The state’s NCAA Division I programs struggled at home and on the road. Wartburg won the Battle of the Burgs. Alburnett won its inaugural Rivere Valley Conference tournament and more in the Wrestling Weekend That Was.

Independence received titles from Ben Anderson (120), 126-pounder Adam Carey and Kam Kremer at 150 at the Wamac Conference boys wrestling tournament Saturday at Marion. The Mustangs won its first conference tournament title since 2015.

Ninth-ranked Minnesota won six matches, including three of the first five by bonus points, and dropped No. 4 Iowa, 21-16, Friday night at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

Class 2A No. 6 Alburnett won the first eight matches, including seven with bonus points, and rolled to a 51-21 dual victory over No. 12 Mount Vernon Thursday night at home.

Gabe Arnold has wrestled the 174, 184 and 197-pound weight classes this season. He has made an impact by his willingness to wrestle wherever needed for the fouth-ranked Hawkeyes.