Iowa Wrestling Tournament: State Duals Breakdown

CLASS 3A

The Class 3A field appears to be a two-horse race between top-seeded Southeast Polk (20-0) and No. 2 Bettendorf (19-3).

We could see Rams-Bulldogs III in the finals. Southeast Polk would like to avenge a loss to the Bulldogs in last year's championship dual. The same two teams also met in the 2013 title dual with the Rams earning their first championship.

Southeast Polk has 11 ranked wrestlers and have as much balance as they do high-powered talent. The Bulldogs have eight ranked wrestlers. Bettendorf has some top-ranked competitors, but it will be the others in the lineup that factor in the final placing.

Cedar Rapids Prairie returns to the field and owns the fourth seed. The Hawks (22-4) have a tough test with West Des Moines Valley (18-2) in the quarterfinal before a possible shot at the Rams. Prairie has been fourth the last two seasons and things look good to match or surpass those performances.

Cedar Rapids Jefferson is an unexpected underdog in the opener. The J-Hawks have been one of the best dual teams this season and hasn't lost to an Iowa team yet. Jefferson (13-4) takes on No. 3 Johnston (22-3) in the quarterfinal. The J-Hawks are a solid dual team with a big win over Prairie in December. Prairie also pushed Bettendorf to the limit at the Five Seasons Duals so they could have a puncher's chance, if they make the semifinal against the Bulldogs. We could see a rematch between Prairie and Jefferson for third.

Our picks — 1. Southeast Polk, 2. Bettendorf, 3. Cedar Rapids Jefferson

CLASS 2A

Union Community has been the cream of the crop in Class 2A this season with Davenport Assumption ready to pounce if the Knights falter.

The top-seeded Knights (36-2) open with No. 8 Clear Lake (21-15). Union is so competitive across the board that it will be hard for anyone to stop them, including Assumption, which lost one of its top starters to injury before the postseason.

The Knights seniors are the heart of this team. They want to go out on top, and a championship sweep will have to start with their first dual crown since 2004.

Assumption has won the last four State Duals titles and has reached the final every year since 2010. Assumption takes on No. 7 New Hampton (27-8) in the quarterfinal. Expect to see Assumption with another top-two finish.

Independence (18-5)makes its second straight trip, opening against Creston-OM (17-0). The Mustangs beat the Panthers, in the third-place dual last year. Independence should have a strong chance to repeat last year's third-place finish.

Third-seeded Mediapolis (25-4) takes on Central Lyon/GLR (19-0). The Bulldogs make their fifth appearance, placing second last year and third in 2013. They could give Assumption everything it could handle in the semifinal, but it will be tough returning to the final.

Our picks — 1. Union Community, 2. Davenport Assumption, 3. Independence

CLASS 1A

Clarion-Goldfield-Dows will attempt to repeat as State Duals champions. The Cowboys knocked off Alburnett in a semifinal during a similar bid last year.

Clarion-Goldfield-Dows (19-1) opens with No. 8 Woodbury Central (17-7). The Cowboys should put themselves in a position for two in a row by reaching the finals.

The second-seeded Pirates are intriguing, placing third last year after winning the 2014 crown. Alburnett has 10 state qualifiers and some hammers in its lineup, but they are open at 106 pounds, spotting each opponent six points. It could be hard to overcome on this stage. Alburnett (26-7) wrestles Dike-New Hartford (26-4) in the quarterfinal. The Pirates beat DNH, 45-36, earlier this season.

Two of the most storied programs in state history face off in the quarterfinals. Fourth-seeded Don Bosco (19-6) and No. 5 Lisbon (23-9) account for 19 State Duals finals appearances. The Dons won an earlier dual by 12 points. That is a difference that the Lions could make up to reach the semifinal.

Southeast Warren (36-1) is the third seed and has No. 6 Logan-Magnolia (31-3, which has been a regular State Duals qualifier. Southeast Warren is making its sixth trip and first since 2000, getting third in 1990 and 1991. The Panthers have reached the State Duals 12 times, placing seventh in 2014.

Our picks — 1. Alburnett, 2. Clarion-Goldfield-Dows, 3. SE Warren

— K.J. Pilcher