Linn-Mar’s Kane Naaktgeboren celebrates birthday with state wrestling quarterfinal pin

DES MOINES — Happy birthday, Kane Naaktgeboren.

The 17-year-old couldn’t have asked for a better party.

“I just celebrated,” Naaktgeboren said after his second-period pin over Bettendorf’s Lincoln Jipp. “Wrestling is the best sport and I get to do it on my birthday, so that’s pretty cool.”

The Linn-Mar junior produced a nice gift in the meantime — another state medal.

Naaktgeboren dropped Jipp in 2:55 to return to the semifinals of the Class 3A Iowa high school boys’ state wrestling tournament Thursday night at Wells Fargo Arena. He was one of four finalists for Linn-Mar, which ended the day in fourth place with 73 points.

Naaktgeboren, the No. 2 seed at 138 pounds, is holding on to the receipt of his hardware. He wants to exchange the one he’s already secured with a shinier one.

“The goal is first,” said Naaktgeboren, who lost in the semifinals last year and finished third. “Last year was a heartbreak. (Former Linn-Mar wrestler and current Coe starter) Bryce Parke told me you’re never going to have that feeling again. He was my warmup partner today. He got me ready to go. I’m going to believe him with that one that I’m never going to feel that pain again. I’m going to do everything I can to not feel that pain again.”

⧉ Related article: Photos: Day 2 of the 2023 Iowa Class 3A boys’ state wrestling tournament

Jipp attempted to wrestle a tactical match but Naaktgeboren was able to break through. He built a 4-0 lead with takedowns in the first and second. Naaktgeboren (37-2) almost locked up a cradle once and then returned to his bread and butter move to end it, securing another podium spot.

“I just went crossface cradle and got a pin,” Naaktgeboren said. “That’s how I got a lot of my pins.”

Friday, he faces Ankeny’s third-seeded Benjamin Hansen with a chance to reach the finals and further soothe the sting from a year ago.

“I have to do that next match, too,” Naaktgeboren said before knowing his opponent. “Whichever one of them (it is) is going to wrestle me hard and I just have to wrestle harder.”

Linn-Mar and Iowa City High send 4 to semifinals

The Lions went 4-2 in the quarterfinals and captured bonus points in each victory. Brayden Parke (132) and 182-poounder Tate Naaktgeboren, who is attempting to become Linn-Mar’s second four-time finalist, each recorded pins. Grant Kress added a technical fall at 152.

Iowa City High matched Linn-Mar with four semifinalists. Seniors Ben Kueter and Gabe Arnold led the way. Kueter continued his dominance, trampling anyone in his way of becoming the state’s 32nd four-time state champion and seventh to have an undefeated career.

Kueter pinned Ankeny’s No. 9 Will Hinrichs in just 12 seconds at 220.

“It’s my game plan,” Kueter said. “I want to finish it quick. To do that, it feels good.”

His first two matches have lasted a mere 26 total seconds. The goal is to just wrestle a good tournament. He has manhandled good competition. Fans get to enjoy the fruits of his labor when the spotlight isn’t shining on him.

“People watch, they only see the 11 seconds out there, the 14 seconds or however long it is,” Kueter said. “They don’t see my Monday through Saturday or Sunday. Nobody sees that, so that’s why I can go out and do that because I have a better Monday through Sunday than anybody in the world, I guess.”

He moved to 37-0 this season, increasing his career mark to 109-0 with 73 pins. He is two wins shy of joining Iowa wrestling’s most elite group. Kueter faces Le Mars’ No. 5 Ayden Hoag (43-1) in the semifinals.

“I’m just going to have fun with it,” Kueter said. “It goes quick. Already on to the semis, so just going to have fun with it and enjoy it.”

Arnold (182) followed his first-round pin with a 21-6 technical fall over Southeast Polk’s No. 8 Holden Hansen.

“I think I felt really good out there,” Arnold said. “It would have been nice to get the pin but at the end of the day I’m the type of guy that likes to put up points.

“I got the tech fall. I put up 20-plus points on the board. For me, that’s like good work. Continue to do that throughout the tournament and I think I will be sitting pretty.”

Arnold, who will also be teammates with Kueter at the University of Iowa, said he is feeling strong in all facets. He improved to 39-0.

“My body is ready,” Arnold said. “My mind is ready. Physical capability. Mental capability. You name it. … I’m ready for war, whether it be the first round, second round, third round or the finals. It doesn’t matter.”

The Little Hawks’ Cale Seaton (126) and Kendal Kurtz each posted decisions to move into the semifinals. Both are assured of a top-six finish and their third straight medals.

Prairie’s Blake Gioimo on the doorstep of another Saturday night

Cedar Rapids Prairie’s Blake Gioimo returned to the semifinals again, attempting to make his third straight state final. The fourth-seeded 120-pounder dropped Ryan Rider, 11-4, in the quarterfinals.

“I’ve been taking it one match at a time,” Gioimo said. “I’m not looking ahead at all. I’m just focusing on my next match and scoring the first points in that.”

Gioimo scored the first points and added eight in the final two periods to pull away from Rider. He did it by being a tough rider, getting two turns for four points during a second-period ride out.

“I feel comfortable in all positions but top is one of those positions where you really break a dude,” Gioimo said. “Most people choose down on you. You turn them a couple times and ride them out the whole period, that’s a huge momentum changer, no matter what the score is in a match.”

Gioimo (44-5) will next face Waukee Northwest’s Koufax Christensen in a rematch of last year’s 120-pound final. The experience from his previous two seasons has taught him something about state success.

“It’s as simple as I’ve been here before and it’s as simple as I’ve got to do my job,” Gioimo said. “That’s what I’m here to do every match. Just go out there and do my job.”

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