Fifth-ranked Linn-Mar will be a state wrestling trophy contender, especially after earning 10 state berths and winning the Class 3A district Saturday at Cedar Rapids Jefferson. Iowa City West was second with eight advancing to state in Des Moines.
Iowa City High sophomores and frequent practice partners Cale Seaton and Kael Kurtz are two of five Little Hawks heading to the state wrestling tournament.
Greyson Gardner did not like his 1-2 finish at state last season. He devoted a lot of time to freestyle wrestling in the offseason and has used that experience to post a dominant senior season.
Fifth-ranked Linn-Mar won nine matches, including seven with bonus points, and routed No. 15 Pleasant Valley, 43-15, in a Class 3A regional dual final.
Photos from the Class 3A regional wrestling duals at Linn-Mar
Class 1A second-ranked Lions are regulars at the State Duals tournament. They defeated New London in the regional dual final to make it eight straight appearances and the program’s 16th overall.
Fifth-ranked Linn-Mar is attempting to earn its second consecutive State Duals trip when it hosts No. 15 Pleasant Valley and No. 23 Iowa City High in Class 3A regional duals.
Lisbon Coach Brad Smith said a tough schedule throughout the regular season prepares the Lions for the postseason grind. They will host a regional dual with a chance to earn their eighth straight state duals appearance and 16th overall.
The top-ranked pound-for-pound wrestler in the Class of 2002, Kylie Welker, was the first signee for the Iowa women’s wrestling program. Soon after, Bettendorf’s Ella Schmit and Wyoming Seminary Prep’s (Pa.) Reese Larramendy followed, showing the talent is already flocking to the Iowa program.
Jadyn Peyton’s football season ended prematurely with torn knee ligaments. His wrestling season was in doubt, but the West Delaware senior recovered and won a sectional title Saturday.
Sixth-ranked Wartburg won six matches, receiving a pin from senior Kyle Briggs, to defeat No. 2 Coe, 22-15, Friday night at Levick Arena in Waverly.
Benton Community’s Jaiden Moore has focused on a more aggressive and offensive style on the mat. The top-ranked 126-pounder in Class 2A will begin his postseason trek Saturday at home.
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