Iowa high school boys’ state wrestling: Alburnett gets Rowdy as Neighbor claims title, Pirates finish runner-up

DES MOINES — Let’s get, Rowdy!

The rally cry might echo through Alburnett, celebrating a golden performance from none other than Rowdy Neighbor.

The Pirates’ junior scored two takedowns against Akron-Westfield’s Cael Morrow, avenging a loss from a year ago and capturing the 120-pound title at the Class 1A boys’ state wrestling tournament Saturday night at Wells Fargo Arena. Neighbor is Alburnett’s first state champion since Tanner Sloan won the 195-pound title in 2018.

“It feels amazing,” Neighbor said. “He’s beat me twice. Every year at the state tournament. It just feels amazing, seeing that offseason work pay off.”

Neighbor leapt into the arms of Alburnett Coach Clayton Rush. The two have built a relationship since Rush gave him lessons in middle school. This was a moment they’ve worked for years to reach.

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“It’s awesome,” Neighbor said. “I’ve been in the high school room ever since my brother (Brody) was a freshman. We’ve been tight ever since then.”

Neighbor reversed a major decision loss in the 2023 113 final to Morrow into a 5-1 victory. Poise made a difference this time. Neighbor remained calm and collected.

“I didn’t let the moment get too big,” Neighbor said. “It’s just another match. Just another tournament. I stuck to my game plan. I didn’t get rattled.”

Neighbor’s ability to scramble and counter attacks worked in his favor. He scored an escape and added a takedown at the end of the second. He iced it with another takedown in the third.

“Just keep the pressure on him,” Neighbor said. “Force him to take a bad shot and capitalize. That’s what I did.”

How did Neighbor plan to celebrate?

“Ice cream,” Neighbor said. “Any kind. I’m not picky.”

Alburnett stormed into second place thanks to a stellar morning session. The Pirates finished with eight medalists, including six in the top five. They racked up team points, going 4-3 in the placing rounds.

Alburnett’s Reece Klostermann made his state debut this season and entered the tournament as the No. 12 seed. He blew that away with a third-place finish at 150. Klostermann capped the tournament with an 11-3 major decision over Pleasantville’s Carter Metcalf. Teammate Shayden Washburn matched his finish, getting third at 157.

Atlee Dewitt (106) and Preston Klosterman (138) were fourth, 215-pounder Emmitt Fleshman placed fifth, Tayten Coufal came in sixth at 126 and 132-pounder Cooper Franklin was seventh.

The Pirates finished second with 152 points, earning their first team trophy since 2016. Don Bosco won its sixth consecutive crown.

“Obviously, you want to win it but Don Bosco has some guns,” Rush said. “One of the other coaches said we had some unexpected heroes this weekend. We had guys step up and do a thing that propelled us to where we are. It was a team effort. Everybody played a role.”

Keaton Moeller is Starmont’s first state wrestling champion since 1989

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Sophomore Keaton Moeller wasn’t alive the last time Starmont boasted a state finalist. It had been even longer since the Stars crowned a champion. Moeller ended both droughts the last two days.

Moeller scored a takedown with three seconds to go to upend Treynor’s Danny Kinsella, 3-1, for the 150-pound title.

“This one took a lot of determination and fighting through stuff,” Moeller said. “We preach no excuses. You’re here for a reason. You made it here for a reason. You’re blessed to be here for a reason.

“There’s no point in making excuses now. I’ve come too far to throw it away on ‘Oh, I think I got hurt.’ It feels good.”

Moeller and Kinsella traded escapes. Moeller dug down and secured the decisive score off his own offense.

“I could feel him tire,” Moeller said. “He was hanging on me. A super good opponent. He was blocking his legs the entire time. Back-and-forth dog fight.

“I felt his weight shift just a tad. Instead of going underhook to ankle pick, which is pretty much my bread and butter for this season, I took him backward into an inside single leg and made it happen.”

Moeller is the first Starmont finalist since Johnny Walz in 2003 and the first titlist since Kent Streicher in 1989. His success is indicative of most Starmont sports.

“It’s a culture change here,” Moeller said. “At Starmont, we’re not known for winning very often. We’re starting to change the culture. My grade and grades above me are starting to win more and more. Just having guys around me and helping me to get better and me do the same all pays off.”

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Cascade’s Brock Morris settled for a second-place finish, dropping a 14-3 major decision to Jesse Lewis of West Sioux. Morris is the first Cascade finalist since Aidan Noonan in 2021.

Maquoketa Valley’s top-seeded Brady Davis reached the 215 final. Nodaway Valley’s Ashton Honnold scored a late takedown in the third and then added another in sudden victory for a 6-4 decision.

West Branch’s No. 6 Logan Wright forged his way into the heavyweight final by knocking off the Nos. 2 and 3 seeds. He faced Waterloo Columbus returning state champion and top-ranked Mason Knipp. Wright improved an eighth-place finish two years ago with runner-up honors Saturday. Knipp used a two-point nearfall in the second and a takedown in the third for a 5-2 win.

Jesup capped its stellar season with a top-five team finish, adding to a fifth-place finish in its state duals debut earlier this month. The J-Hawks were fourth with 89 points before the championship matches.

Ayden Bergman and Kile Bucknell led the way for Jesup, placing third at 106 and 175, respectively. Cooper Hinz, who swapped weights with Bergman from last season, finished fifth at 113. Both earned their second straight medals. Dawson Bell (138) was sixth and Wyatt Vanderwerff placed seventh for the J-Hawks, who earned their best team finish since getting third in 1974.

“Experience and leadership were the two biggest takeaways from our state experience this year,” Jesup Coach Matt Gross said. “The seniors that came down and made their mark will go down as the class that helped Jesup break the mold. Five underclassmen got the experience and an understanding of what it takes to win. We feel their growth will help us continue to compete in the future.”

Maquoketa Valley was represented on the awards stand in the top three weights for the second straight season. Brady Davis reached his first final at 215. He was joined on the podium by Nathan Beitz (190) and Aidan Salow. Beitz was third for the second straight year, while Salow was fifth at heavyweight.

Lisbon reached the top 10 again. The Lions had three medalists. Tiernan Boots returned to the awards stand after a year hiatus and placed fourth at 144. The Lions’ Wes Sadler was fifth at 106 and Matthias Kohl earned seventh at 165.

West Branch also had two placewinners. In addition to Wright, Ethan Humphrey was eighth at 106.

South Winneshiek’s No. 3 Collin Holm was a state runner-up last season. He fell in the semifinals to Denver’s No. 2 Boden White. Holm rebounded to place third at 144. North Cedar’s Nate Wood was fifth at 150.

Class 1A Iowa high school boys’ state wrestling finals

106: Liam Adlfinger (Wilton) dec. Hayden Schwab (Don Bosco), 9-8

113: Gavin Landers (Denver) major dec. Mason Shirk (Wilton), 12-0

120: Rowdy Neighbor (Alburnett) dec. Cael Morrow (Akron-Westfield), 5-1

126: Jesse Lewis (West Sioux) major dec. Brock Morris (Cascade), 14-3

132: Dawson Youngblut (Don Bosco) dec. Tanner Arjes (North Butler/Clarksville), 4-2

138: Blake Allen (Underwood) dec. Teague Smith (West Hancock), 3-1

144: Corbin Reisz (Logan-Magnolia) dec. Boden White (Denver), 4-2

150: Keaton Moeller (Starmont) dec. Danny Kinsella (Treynor), 3-1

157: Kyler Knaack (Don Bosco) dec. Kellen Smith (West Hancock), 3-2

165: Maddox Nelson (Underwood) dec. John McGill (Colfax-Mingo), 9-5

175: Kaiden Knaack (Don Bosco) dec. Jace Nelson-Brown (Emmetsburg), 3-1

190: MaKade Bloker (North Butler/Clarksville) dec. Louden Huisenga (WACO), 9-3

215: Ashton Honnold (Nodaway Valley) dec. Brady Davis (Maquoketa Valley), 6-4 SV-1

285: Mason Knipp (Waterloo Columbus) dec. Logan Wright (West Branch), 5-2

Final Class 1A Iowa high school boys’ state wrestling Top 10 team scores

1. Don Bosco 183 1/2

2. Alburnett 152

3. Wilton 144

4. Jesup 89

5. Underwood 85

6. West Hancock 82

7. Denver 60

t-8. Lisbon 59

t-8. Maquoketa Valley 59

10. Nashua-Plainfield 56 1/2

Comments: kj.pilcher@thegazette.com