Iowa high school state duals 2023: Brackets, predictions for all 3 classes

A closer look at Saturday’s Iowa high school boys’ state wrestling duals.

Class 3A

Quarterfinals

No. 1 Southeast Polk vs. No. 8 Dubuque Hempstead, 9 a.m.

No. 4 Ankeny vs. No. 5 West Des Moines Valley, 9 a.m.

No. 2 Bettendorf vs. No. 7 Fort Dodge, 11 a.m.

No. 3 Waverly-Shell Rock vs. No. 6 Ankeny Centennial, 11 a.m.

Outlook: Waverly-Shell Rock has been in the state duals finals the last four years, winning the last two titles. No reason not to expect the second-ranked Go-Hawks to make the finals, despite being passed by Bettendorf in seedings. Expect a fifth straight finals match against top-seeded Southeast Polk. The Rams should advance to the finals. The Bulldogs did wrestle Southeast Polk to a 39-36 dual in December, but they’ll have to top the Go-Hawks in the semifinals.

Predictions: 1. Waverly-Shell Rock, 2. Southeast Polk, 3. Bettendorf

Class 2A

Quarterfinals

No. 1 Osage vs. No. 8 Williamsburg, 9 a.m.

No. 4 Mount Vernon vs. No. 5 Creston, 9 a.m.

No. 2 West Delaware vs. No. 7 Webster City, 11 a.m.

No. 3 Sergeant Bluff-Luton vs. No. 6 Humboldt, 11 a.m.

WEST DELAWARE

Coach: Jeff Voss (28th year)

Record: 17-4

State duals appearances: 13th overall, sixth straight

Road to Coralville: The second-ranked Hawks posted their second dual win over rival No. 13 Independence in five days. West Delaware won nine matches in a 41-24 regional final victory over the Mustangs.

MOUNT VERNON

Coach: Vance Light (29th year)

Record: 23-3

State duals appearances: Sixth overall, first since 2005

Road to Des Moines: The fourth-ranked Mustangs disposed of No. 11 Davenport Assumption, 42-21, closing with five straight victories including three consecutive falls.

WILLIAMSBURG

Coach: Grant Eckenrod (22nd year)

Record: 23-3

State duals appearances: Fourth overall, first since 2020

Road to Coralville: The ninth-ranked Raiders won a thriller, receiving a point on criteria (fewest forfeits) to break a tie for a 41-40 win over No. 10 West Burlington/Notre Dame. Williamsburg won seven matches, closing with two straight pins to enact tiebreakers.

Outlook: West Delaware has won the last four titles but juggernaut Osage is a huge hurdle for five in a row. The Green Devils have been one of the top programs, regardless of class. They won the highly-touted Battle of Waterloo. The title is Osage’s to lose, but if there is anyone that can challenge it is West Delaware. Osage may have to run the Wamac Conference gauntlet. Williamsburg is the eighth seed and is making its first appearance since a state runner-up finish in 2020. The Raiders do have a win over West Delaware. Fourth-seeded Mount Vernon could await the Green Devils in the semifinals. The Mustangs have a salty dual team with just one loss to a Class 2A team (West Delaware). Mount Vernon should survive Creston, but a tough match with Osage likely follows. Sergeant Bluff-Luton could push its way into the finals.

Predictions: 1. Osage, 2. West Delaware, 3. Mount Vernon

Class 1A

Quarterfinals

No. 1 Don Bosco vs. No. 8 Hinton, 9 a.m.

No. 4 Nashua-Plainfield vs. No. 5 Wapsie Valley, 9 a.m.

No. 2 Wilton vs. No. 7 Logan-Magnolia, 11 a.m.

No. 3 Alburnett vs. No. 6 Emmetsburg, 11 a.m.

ALBURNETT

Coach: Clayton Rush (8th year)

Record: 26-3

State duals appearances: Seventh overall, first since 2016

Road to Coralville: The third-ranked Pirates won 12 matches, including eight pins, in a 60-9 rout of No. 22 Jesup.

Outlook: Class 1A might be the most competitive of all three brackets. Don Bosco is the favorite. The Dons have reached the last six state duals finals, winning the last two crowns. Nashua-Plainfield and Wapsie Valley could be an entertaining quarterfinal but neither will challenge Don Bosco. Wilton has been impressive this season and owns a win over 2A No. 4 Mount Vernon. The Beavers are expected to be finalists, but third-ranked Alburnett has a shot. Though the matchup favors Wilton, a semifinal victory for the Pirates is within reach. The last team to keep Don Bosco out of the finals? Alburnett, which is making its first appearance since winning the 2016 title. Maybe the Pirates have another finals run and semifinal upset in them.

Predictions: 1. Don Bosco, 2. Alburnett, 3. Wilton

Comments: kj.pilcher@thegazette.com