Jesup’s Cooper Hinz waited a whole year to overturn an obstacle that turned him away a year ago. The four-time state medalist advanced to his first finals match, beating West Lyon’s Ryan Bahnson in the 132 semifinal of the Class 1A state tournament Friday at Casey’s Center.
Fortune favors the bold, after all, and by starting off his medal-worthy run at the Iowa High School Athletic Association Class 2A state wrestling tournament with three consecutive pins, the 11th-seeded McGonegle’s earned the right to exude the utmost confidence.v
Cascade’s Bryce Carroll beat Fort Dodge St. Edmond’s Matthew Crimmins in the 144-pound quarterfinal to earn his first medal Friday at the Class 1A state wrestling tournament. He has been inspired by his dad, Bob, who was diagnosed with cancer last year.
Lisbon senior advanced to the 126-pound semifinals, securing his first top-six finish at the Class 1A state wrestling tournament Friday at Casey’s Center.
Cedar Rapids Prairie’s Louden Bloxham suffered a leg injury that kept him off the mat up to a month of the state tournament. He turned the hurt into hardware with a win in the 190-pound quarterfinal of the Class 3A state wrestling tournament Thursday at Casey’s Center ini Des Moines.
Photos from the Class 2A first and second rounds of the IHSAA Boys’ State wrestling tournament at the Casey’s Center in Des Moines, Iowa on Thursday, February 19, 2026.
Photos from the Class 1A first and second rounds of the IHSAA Boys’ State wrestling tournament at the Casey’s Center in Des Moines, Iowa on Thursday, February 19, 2026.
Action and reaction of the 3A quarterfinal matches at the boy’s state wrestling championships in Des Moines
The 132-pound senior’s intense. He’s relentless. He could join an elite club by becoming a four-time medalist this week at the Iowa High School Athletic Association Class 2A state wrestling meet, but after his first match at Casey’s Center, he often feels his tank’s not fully topped off — not yet, anyway.
Starmont’s Keaton Moeller won a state title two years ago but missed his junior season due to injury. He has waited two years for a chance at another title and opened the Class 1A state wrestling tournament with a pin Thursday at Casey’s Center in Des Moines.
Lansing, a senior 190-pounder, is the Orioles’ first-ever state qualifier, and on Thursday, he pinned his first foe, nearly pinned his second before getting pinned himself, and won by injury default in his consolation semifinal at Casey’s Center.
Iowa City West freshman Diego Robertty needed just 43 seconds for a pin in his Class 3A state wrestling tournament debut Wednesday at Casey’s Center in Des Moines. He has carried on the family tradition that includes two Olympian parents.
The Gazette sports writer and Iowa wrestling legend Dick Briggs talk about Iowa wrestling from college to high school
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