K.J. Pilcher

The Gazette sports writer K.J. Pilcher and Iowa wrestling legend Dick Briggs give their take on wrestling in Iowa from college to high school

Iowa City West is the No. 7 seed and will host a Class 3A regional dual Tuesday, according to the pairings released by the Iowa High School Athletic Association on Tuesday. Williamsburg’s Grant Eckenrod hits 700-win plateau. Decorah dominates Anamosa tournament.

The final installment of the Gazette’s area high school boys wrestling individual rankings for the 2025-26 season.

University of Iowa remains fourth in the latest poll, coming off a win at No. 6 Nebraska and preparing for No. 9 Minnesota on Friday. Iowa State is third and UNI is 13th.

University of Iowa rebounded with a dual victory at Nebraska. Iowa State returned to Humboldt to cap 2-0 weekend. Coe, Luther competed at the American Rivers Conference duals and assorted high school results in the Wrestling Weekend That Was.

Iowa City High’s Malachi Clement has been wrestling his best as the postseason approaches. He has defeated three ranked foes in the last week and went 5-0 Saturday, helping the Little Hawks tie for third at the Bean-Smith Duals at home.

Ryder Block broke open a tie match with a takedown and third-period pin at 149 pounds, Michael Caliendo added a major decision at 165 and No. 4 Iowa rebounded with a 22-14 win at No. 6 Nebraska.

Croix and Lane Gudenkauf earned wins over ranked opponents and helped West Delaware upend rival Independence, 35-33, in a Wamac Conference dual Thursday night at Independence.

Iowa 141-pounder Nasir Bailey said he has heard the doubters. The All-American and two-time NCAA qualifier transfer from University of Arkansas-Little Rock has focused on proving himself as the Hawkeyes’ 141-pound starter.

Independence and West Delaware compete in a regular-season dual called the “Battle for the Del-Buc Trophy” and “Highway 20 Clash.” Fourth-ranked Independence hosts No. 5 West Delaware Thursday, continuing one of Eastern Iowa’s top wrestling rivalries.

The sixth installment of the Gazette’s area high school boys wrestling individual rankings for the 2025-26 season.

The Gazette sports writer K.J. Pilcher and Iowa wrestling legend Dick Briggs discuss the past week of wrestling with Iowa colleges, universities and high schools

Iowa State and Iowa remained third and fourth, respectively. UNI moved up one spot to No. 13 in the latest National Wrestling Coaches Association dual rankings released Tuesday

More from University of Iowa’s loss to Penn State. Iowa State hosted the Harold Nichols Open, while Cornell held the Cliff Keen-Mike Duroe Invitationals. Jesup captured the team title at the Loyd Shaffer-Marion Invitational and more high school results in the Wrestling Weekend That Was.

Alburnett’s Owen Henriksen has a detailed list of things he works on each day. He has parlayed those daily goals into a 32-1 record this season and his 144-pound title helped the Pirates win the J-Hawk Invitational at Cedar Rapids Jefferson on Saturday.