Jesup reaches finals in Class 1A State Wrestling Duals

CORALVILLE — For the Jesup wrestling program and its robust group of seniors, four years of immense toil and diligent effort have produced the ultimate opportunity.

For the first time in program history, the J-Hawks have reached the finals of the Class 1A State Duals.

"It means everything," first-year Jesup Coach Levi Vogel said after the J-Hawks routed Lake Mills, 48-22, in a 1A State Duals semifinal Saturday at Xtream Arena. "This is something we have been working toward for the entire year. We have had our eyes set on making the championship and contending for a state title. This class, this set of boys have put so many hours, so much work in over the past four or five years. It has paid off."

The reward for Jesup (28-1) is a meeting with 15-time State Duals champion Don Bosco (20-3) tonight at 6 at Xtream Arena. The Dons smothered Hinton, 52-15, in their semifinal. Jesup competed in the same individual tournament as Don Bosco Jan. 24 at Ida Grove, but this will be the first head-to-head matchup this season.

"I'm thrilled," Jesup senior Ayden Bergman said. "Very excited for this moment."

Jesup opened the day with a 52-19 triumph over Nasua-Plainfield in a 1A quarterfinal. Bergman was one of six J-Hawks to win by fall. In the semifinal win against Lake Mills, Jesup piled up the points as Bergman had one of his team's four wins by technical fall.

"It's the amount of hours that we have all put from the offseason to even in the room, we have got guys staying late and getting extra work in. That's what has paid off."

Vogel was a Jesup assistant underneath former coach Matt Gross when the J-Hawks qualified for State Duals in each of the past two years. The J-Hawks placed fourth in 2025 and fifth two years ago. After Gross resigned to spend more time at his children's activities, Vogel was promoted. The decision did not provide a lot of continuity for a roster with 10 seniors in the lineup, including three-time state medalist Cooper Hinz — a Michigan recruit — at 132 pounds, two state placewinners in Kaden Lange (144) and Dax Youngblut (215), plus a two-time state medalist in Bergman (120).

"He's done an amazing job," Bergman said. "Very thankful he's our head coach. I feel like our guys, they love him. They love seeing him in the room. He brings a lot of effort, a lot of energy. It's amazing. ... He knew what we were working with, knew what we built and just took it from there."

Provided by Douglas Miles, Correspondent

Linn-Mar places 5th, Iowa City west gets 7th

Linn-Mar entered the postseason as an underdog. The Lions were ranked 10th but upset No. 6 Dubuque Hempstead just to reach the top-eight field. Once qualified, Linn-Mar exceeded projections.

The Lions won their final two duals to placed fifth in the 3A field Saturday. After a 46-24 quarterfinal loss to finalist No. 2 Indianola, Linn-Mar avenged a regular-season loss with a 44-32 win over No. 6 Iowa City West. The Lions closed with a 44-31 win over No. 4 Dallas Center-Grimes, closing the year with a 17-5 record.

West challenged No. 3 Waukee Northwest in the quarterfinal round, falling 41-33. The Trojans capped the day with a 46-24 over No. 8 Pleasant Valley. West ended the dual season with an 11-6 mark.

Provided by K.J. Pilcher, The Gazette

Southeast Polk continues streak

Southeast Polk extended its finals streak in 3A. The top-ranked Rams rolled to an eighth consecutive championship dual. SE Polk beat Pleasant Valley 54-15 and advanced to the finals with a 46-25 win over No. 5 West Des Moines Dowling.

The Rams entered the final, attempting to win their eighth title in the last 14 years.

Provided by K.J. Pilcher, The Gazette