Take a deeper look into 2025 State Duals boys’ wrestling tournament

STATE QUARTERFINALS

CLASS 3A

No. 1 Southeast Polk vs. No. 8 North Scott, 9 a.m.

No. 4 Johnston vs. No. 5 Waukee Northwest, 9 a.m.

No. 2 Waverly-Shell Rock vs. No. 7 Carlisle, 10:45 a.m.

No. 3 Indianola vs. No. 6 Bettendorf, 10:45 a.m.

Outlook: Southeast Polk is a heavy favorite. It’s the Rams and the bottom half of the bracket, competing for second. SE Polk has reached the finals six straight years and 11 of the last 12. The Rams have won six titles. Championship No. 7 is inevitable. Indianola and Waverly-Shell Rock could fight it out in the semifinals, but Bettendorf has the strength to pull an upset or two.

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

CLASS 2A

No. 1 Algona vs. No. 8 Mount Vernon, 9 a.m.

No. 4 Williamsburg vs. No. 5 Independence, 9 a.m.

No. 2 West Delaware vs. No. 7 Winterset, 10:45 a.m.

No. 3 Sergeant Bluff-Luton vs. No. 6 Clarion-Goldfield-Dows, 10:45 a.m.

WEST DELAWARE

Coach: Jake Voss (1st year)

Record: 18-3

State duals appearances: 15th overall, eighth straight

Road to Coralville: The second-ranked Hawks handled No. 20 North Fayette Valley, 46-25.

MOUNT VERNON

Coach: Vance Light (31st year)

Record: 20-10

State duals appearances: Eighth overall, third straight

Road to Coralville: The No. 11 Mustangs edged No. 12 Burlington-Notre Dame, 37-35, in the regional semifinal. They qualified with a 34-31 win over No. 6 Davenport Assumption.

INDEPENDENCE

Coach: Michael Doyle (26th year)

Record: 25-6

State duals appearances: 14th overall, fifth in last six seasons

Road to Coralville: The fifth-ranked Mustangs topped No. 17 Benton Community, 32-28.

WILLIAMSBURG

Coach: Grant Eckenrod (24th year)

Record: 28-1

State duals appearances: Fifth overall, four in the last eight seasons

Road to Coralville: The third-ranked Raiders beat West Liberty, 54-24.

Outlook: This is partly a Wamac Conference dual tournament. West Delaware has extended its streak of appearances and rival Independence returns. After a year hiatus, Williamsburg returns. All three have the depth and balance to beat anyone. Mount Vernon is dangerous as the No. 8 seed, opening the season top-ranked. Algona will have a target on its back. Watch for Sergeant Bluff-Luton, who reached last year’s finals. The Warriors could make another run.

Predictions: 1. West Delaware, 2. Independence, 3. Sergeant Bluff-Luton

CLASS 1A

No. 1 Alburnett vs. No. 8 Woodbury Central, 9 a.m.

No. 4 Jesup vs. No. 5 Osage, 9 a.m.

No. 2 Don Bosco vs. No. 7 Nashua-Plainfield, 10:45 a.m.

No. 3 Wilton vs. No. 6 Oakland Riverside, 10:45 a.m.

ALBURNETT

Coach: Clayton Rush (9th year)

Record: 24-1

State duals appearances: Ninth overall, third straight

Road to Coralville: Top-ranked Pirates won 13 of 14 weights in a 75-6 win over No. 22 Iowa Valley.

JESUP

Coach: Matt Gross (6th year)

Record: 24-0

State duals appearances: Second berth, two in a row

Road to Coralville: The No. 4 J-Hawks beat No. 13 Lisbon, 41-22.

Outlook: Alburnett and Don Bosco are favored to meet again in the finals. The Dons beat them for the championship last season, but Alburnett earned a win over the Dons at the Battle of Waterloo in December. Don Bosco was missing some starters in that meeting and always seem to pull out the victory when it matters most. Wilton is capable of an upset. Jesup has set a school record in dual wins, surpassing 22 from last season, and completed their first undefeated regular season.

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

Comments: kj.pilcher@thegazette.com