Iowa high school boys’ wrestling 2023-24: Gazette area teams to watch

Here are eight Gazette-area teams to keep an eye on during the 2023-24 Iowa high school boys’ wrestling season.

Class 3A

Cedar Rapids Prairie

The Hawks are one of the most consistent teams in the area. They always seem to have competitive wrestlers at each weight, which makes them a good dual team. Prairie was MVC Super Meet runner-up. Dylan Munson and Tyler Lee are returning medalists, while all-MVC performers Alex Bumba, Wyatt Vlasek, Casey Kelley and Collin Velky provide a solid nucleus.

Iowa City High

The Little Hawks have some of the best top-end talent. Cale Seaton and Kael Kurtz are both attempting to become four-time state medalists. Seaton won a state title last season and is one of five state returners for City High. Factor in the addition of Kael Voinovich, a runner-up in Oklahoma last season who is ranked 14th nationally. The Little Hawks could make another top-five finish.

Linn-Mar

The Lions have won two straight Mississippi Valley Conference Super Meet titles. They return eight with state meet experience, including finalists Kane Naaktgeboren and Grant Kress and two-time medalist Malike DeBow. Linn-Mar has strong numbers and some young talent that could impact the lineup immediately. The Lions are capable of another strong year, especially if they are able to spread out their top wrestlers.

Class 2A

Mount Vernon

The Mustangs will be fun to watch. They earned a team trophy at the traditional state tournament and reached the state duals. Seven state qualifiers return led by medalists Jace and Jackson Jaspers, Klayten Perreault and Mikey Ryan. The Mustangs have six more letterwinners back. They have big-point scorers in tournaments and the balance for another strong dual team.

West Delaware

The Hawks have five starters back with state experience and seven total returners with starting experience, including medalists Brent Yonkovic and Brayden Maury. They are coming off a fourth-place finish in the traditional tournament and a runner-up showing at state duals. West Delaware has a strong group of freshmen that will compete for varsity spots and build depth.

Class 1A

Alburnett

The Pirates produced twin fourth-place finishes at the traditional and dual state tournaments. They return 64 points from six state qualifiers, including finalist Rowdy Neighbor, third-place Tayten Coufal and fifth-place Preston Klostermann. State qualifiers Atlee Dewitt, Shayden Washburn and Luke Schneider make up a strong lineup for tournaments and duals again.

Lisbon

The Lions are changing the guard again. Hall of Fame Coach Brad Smith has retired after returning to resurrect the program. Former North Linn state champion Aaron Helmrich inherits a squad with five state qualifiers, including past medalists Wes Sadler and Tiernan Boots. Matthias Kohl, Indy Ferguson and Jackson Knapp also have state experience. Watch Jonah Reiling stepping in at heavyweight. Numbers are good in Helmrich’s first season.

West Branch

The Bears have garner some attention entering this season. They have two state medalists back. Cooper Gates was eighth at 152 last season, while Logan Wright was eighth at 220 in 2022. Timmy Hosier, Lincoln Edwards, Logan Christoffel and Cale Seydel gives them six qualifiers with at least one state win. The addition of young talent or improved returners could solidify the lineup.

Comments: kj.pilcher@thegazette.com