Iowa City West hosts Class 3A boys’ wrestling regional dual for first time since 2014

IOWA CITY — Nate Moore quipped that it’s been so long since Iowa City West hosted a regional dual that he couldn’t recall the last one.

The answer is 2014. The Trojans defeated West Des Moines Valley, 46-24, to earn their last of 11 trips to State Duals.

West has waited 12 years to host a Class 3A regional dual again and has a chance to claim a 12th state appearance at its own gym. The Iowa High School Athletic Association released the regional dual pairings for all three classes Tuesday. Regional champions advance to the State Duals on Feb. 7 at Xtream Arena in Coralville.

“We are excited anytime we get another chance to wrestle at West High,” said Moore, who is in his eighth season as head coach. “I’m excited for our parents. I’m excited for our wrestlers. It is an important event that has been discussed since the season started.”

The 24 ranked teams in each class qualify for regional duals with the top-eight teams host two other schools. The Trojans are seeded No. 7, like in 2014. They receive a bye and face the semifinal winner between No. 13 North Scott and No. 17 Bondurant-Farrar Tuesday night.

“Both schools have good individuals and we need to be ready to go up and down the 14 weights, regardless of who wins that dual,” Moore said. “I think the way the state does things in regard to State Duals is better than how they used to do it and way better than when they used to do it when I wrestled, which was district champion as a team went to State Duals.”

Moore, a two-time state champion and four-time state finalist from 2005-08, was a part of the Trojans’ juggernaut teams that reached 10 straight State Duals and 11 in 12 seasons from 2003 to 2014. West won titles in 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007 and in 2011, adding runner-up finishes from 2008-10 under late Hall of Fame Coach Mark Reiland.

West (9-4) earned its second berth in the last five seasons. The Trojans had a team more suited for tournament events in recent seasons. Their mix of accomplished veterans and talented underclassmen makes them capable in both competitions.

Three-time state finalist and 2023 state champion Alexander Pierce, who is unbeaten and No. 2 at 126, state medalist and No. 7 Matthew Tran at 132 and state qualifier Campbell Janis, who is ranked 10th at 165 help lead the way. Second-ranked Diego Robertty (113), No. 12 Hugo Hughes at 120, 10th-ranked Owin Koethe (144) and Blest Woods, who is fifth at 157, have solidified the lineup.

“We are a solid, gritty team with young guys and veterans with far less holes than we have had in previous years,” Moore said. “When this team is ready to wrestle, they can compete well against most teams. We will see what Tuesday brings.”

Also, in 3A, No. 10 Linn-Mar takes on No. 19 Cedar Rapids Prairie at No. 6 Dubuque Hempstead. The Mustangs wrestle the winner between the Lions and Hawks for a State Duals berth.

No. 11 Western Dubuque opens against No. 9 Bettendorf with No. 8 Pleasant Valley awaiting in the regional final.

In Class 2A, top-ranked Decorah hosts No. 14 North Fayette Valley and No. 22 Anamosa. Fourth-ranked West Delaware welcomes No. 16 Williamsburg and No. 23 West Liberty.

Independence, ranked fifth, looks to return to the State Duals, battling No. 12 Mount Vernon or No. 18 Wilton.

No. 17 Solon is paired with No. 10 Davenport Assumption in the regional semifinal at No. 6 Alburnett.

Jesup hosts a 1A regional dual. The second-ranked J-Hawks will wrestle the semifinal winner between No. 12 South Winneshiek and No. 21 Iowa Valley.

Eighth-ranked Lisbon has the winner of No. 9 Nashua-Plainfield and No. 20 North Mahaska. North Linn, ranked 13th, is paired with No. 24 South Central Calhoun at No. 1 Don Bosco.

Eckenrod reaches 700 career wins

Williamsburg Coach Grant Eckenrod joined select company last Thursday. The Raiders defeated Clear Creek Amana, 35-27, and Eckenrod became the second coach in state history to reach 700 career dual victories.

Eckenrod has 700 wins, including 17 this season, to join former Lisbon, Iowa City High and Clear Creek Amana Coach Brad Smith, who is the all-time wins leader with 720.

Eckenrod has 501 wins in his tenure at Williamsburg after 199 wins as the head coach at Mount Zion, Ill.

Decorah dominates at Anamosa

Decorah captured the team title of the Denny Christenson tournament at Anamosa with 292 points, winning by a whopping 115 1/2 points over runner-up Denver.

The Vikings received titles from Kelton Casterton (120), Mason Glotfelty (126), 132-pounder Mason Avila, Gavin Carolan (144), Grant Knutson at 150 and 190-pounder Thomas Sexton. Decorah also had four more place second.

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