K.J. Pilcher

The Hawks have won five of the last six team titles in state events. They have picked up where they left off after a sweep of traditional and dual crowns last season. Also, Alburnett claimed a tournament title Saturday and Battle of Waterloo is set.

University of Northern Iowa Coach Doug Schwab had a better feeling after this year’s UNI Open. Of course, three champs and six finalists help. Iowa’s Cullen Schriever and Patrick Kennedy also earn titles and much more.

Lisbon senior Quincy Happel dropped down a weight class to help solidify the Lions’ wrestling lineup. He has moved to 12-1 after winning the 126-pound title at the Mount Vernon Invitational.

Coe second-ranked heavyweight Kaleb Reeves has benefited from a busy offseason, competing in Greco-Roman tournaments and focusing on weight training. Both have paid dividends with a 12-0 start with 11 pins.

Cedar Rapids Prairie has just two seniors in its starting, but a young group is talented and tough. The Hawks won 10 of 14 matches to beat Cedar Falls, 43-24.

Mark Reiland made his mark at all levels, winning an individual title at Eagle Grove, an NCAA title for the Hawkeyes and coaching Iowa City West to 7 state titles.

K.J. Pilcher and Dick Briggs discuss all the Cy-Hawk wrestling action and oddities on the Pinning Combination podcast.

In this week’s prep wrestling notebook: Solon’s Hayden Taylor will forgo his senior season and a chance to join the 29 four-time state champions because of injury.

Iowa and Iowa State weren’t exchanging recipes when they came face-to-face after the Hawkeyes won Sunday’s dual, 22-11. Coe had a big weekend. Cael Happel won his debut and a local duo won Donnybrook titles.

Top-ranked Iowa beat Iowa State 22-11 and remained unbeaten against the Cyclones under head coach Tom Brands.

South Tama’s Logan Arp is a two-time state wrestling medalist and has state title aspirations this season. He capped the first weekend of tournaments with a memorable victory and the 138-pound title at Independence.

Junior Myles Wilson has wrestled in top-ranked Iowa’s first two duals. He could get the nod again and receive a second start in the Cy-Hawk Series on Sunday in Ames.

In his first year as the Iowa City High head football coach, Mitch Moore rejuvenated the storied program. He is the 2021 Gazette Coach of the Year.

Class 3A top-ranked Waverly-Shell Rock captured nine matches with seven pins and took the final four bouts to pull away for a 49-21 dual victory over Class 2A No. 1 West Delaware.

K.J. Pilcher and Dick Briggs preview the Cy-Hawk wrestling dual and the Iowa high school wrestling season on this episode of the Pinning Combination.