The Gazette’s 2024 all-area boys’ wrestling team

Linn-Mar’s Kane Naaktgeboren completed a perfect season.

His senior campaign was a fitting way to cap a stellar career. The Lions’ state champion prefers the focus to be on how he competed more than the actual accomplishments.

“I want to be remembered as a guy that wasn’t afraid to always put it on the line,” Naaktgeboren said. “I didn’t change my wrestling. I was always looking to score points and looking to pin people. Just having fun with the sport.”

Naaktgeboren captured the 144-pound title in the Class 3A state wrestling tournament last week at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines. He made his second straight finals appearance and earned his fourth state medal.

Naaktgeboren is The Gazette’s 2024 Boys’ Wrestler of the Year.

Naaktgeboren finished 37-0 and became the 10th Linn-Mar wrestler to combine for 16 individual state crowns.

“It’s pretty cool,” Naaktgeboren said after beating West Des Moines Valley’s JahKari Clark, 9-2, in the finals. “It’s not too crazy. I’ve expected that from myself the past three years and ended up short. I’m happy I got it done but there’s more work to be done. There’s no reason I couldn’t have pinned him or scored more points.”

Pins have been a staple of Naaktgeboren’s career, posting 33 this season. As a sophomore, he set the single-season school record with 38. He amassed 109 career pins in 125 total victories, which is an 87.2-percent clip. He also had five technical falls and a major decision. Only 10 bouts were won by decision.

“It’s just my wrestling style,” Naaktgeboren said. “In those six minutes we’re out there, I’m going to try and pin you. That leads to scoring points.”

“I’m dangerous from everywhere. (Linn-Mar assistant Ryan) Gotto talks to me about attacking both levels all the time. So, when I’m wrestling lower to upper body, being dangerous on top and being able to put guys in danger, that’s when I’m really hard to beat. Usually, it ends up that I get a pin. Obviously, there are times I don’t and even those matches the way it has to be is to look to score for six minutes.”

Naaktgeboren joined Jay Borschel, Matt McDonough, Alijah Jeffery, Ross Lembeck, Matt Wempen and his brother, Tate, as the only four-time state medalists in program history. In addition to his title and runner-up finish at 138 a year ago, the Iowa State signee was third at 132 as a sophomore and fifth at 120 in 2021.

“He takes it serious but he still likes to have fun,” Linn-Mar Coach Doug Streicher said earlier this season. “He has the right combination of ‘this is important to me but I know I have a social life, schoolwork to do and friends.’ It’s a good combination. Really healthy.”

A few days after he closed his varsity career, Naaktgeboren was back on the mat in a different role. He was officiating a middle school meet. Giving back to younger wrestlers is important to Naaktgeboren.

“A piece of hardware isn’t satisfaction for me,” Naaktgeboren said. “What I care most about is how I’m going about it. The process. That’s why giving back is so important to me. Did I leave behind a good impact on the sport for the future? Not only on wrestlers coming up at Linn-Mar but the state of Iowa.

“Be a good role model. Give back to the sport that has taught me everything in life.”

Alburnett’s Clayton Rush is The Gazette’s Coach of the Year

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Alburnett Coach Clayton Rush guided the Pirates to runner-up finishes at the Class 1A state duals and traditional state wrestling tournament this season. He is The Gazette’s 2024 boys’ wrestling Coach of the Year.

Alburnett posted a 32-5 dual record, garnering the top seed for the state duals. The Pirates placed second to Don Bosco after beating the Dons in the regular season. They reached the finals for the first time since winning the 2016 title.

The Pirates emulated the energetic, excited and hard-nosed nature of their head coach.

“We showed we can fight,” Alburnett 120-pound state champion Rowdy Neighbor said during the state duals. “Rush preaches to keep on fighting and take the fight out of other people.”

Alburnett won the Tri-Rivers Conference title. The Pirates qualified 11 wrestlers to the state tournament, placing eight on the podium. Six were fifth or better.

Alburnett scored 152 points, which would have been enough to win most years. It was the first traditional state team trophy since winning the 2016 crown.

“They put a lot of extra time into me,” Rush said. “I think it’s because I put a lot of extra time into them on and off the mat.

“They’re an ornery group and it started in eighth grade. I tried to hone them in and helped direct it along the way. They know I’m invested in them and they give it right back.”

The Gazette’s 2024 all-area boys’ wrestling team

106 pounds — Klayten Perreault, sr., Mount Vernon — Class 2A state champion with a 46-0 record posted 39 pins, set a school record with 95 career pins and finished as a two-time state medalist.

113 — Brayden Bohnsack, jr., Union Community — 2A state champion with a 42-4 record tallied 23 pins, five technical falls and two major decisions. A two-time state titlist and three-time medalist.

120 — Rowdy Neighbor, jr., Alburnett — 1A state champion with a 53-2 record with 35 pins and 40 bonus-point victories. Two-time state finalist and three-time medalist.

126 — Jace Hedeman, jr., Union Community — The 2A state runner-up posted a 44-2 record with 24 pins, five technical falls and four major decisions. Two-time state champion and three-time finalist.

132 — Cale Seaton, sr., Iowa City High — The 3A state champion with a 34-1 record avenged his lone loss in the state finals. He recorded 20 pins and 11 technical falls. A two-time state champion, he placed third as a freshman and sophomore and finished with a 129-10 career mark.

138 — Jase Jaspers, so., Mount Vernon — The 2A state runner-up had a 39-4 record and totaled 29 bonus-point victories, including 21 pins, four technical falls and four major decisions. Two-time state finalist.

144 — Kane Naaktgeboren, sr., Linn-Mar — 3A state champion with a 37-0 record, notched 33 pins, one technical fall and one major decision. Posted a 125-9 career record with 109 career pins. Two-time state finalist was third as a sophomore and fifth as a freshman to become the Lions’ seventh four-time placewinner.

150 — Keaton Moeller, so., Starmont — 1A state champion with a 46-1 record. Starmont’s first state titlist since 1989. Earned 25 pins, three technical falls and three major decisions. Two-time state medalist.

157 — Kael Voinovich, sr., Iowa City High — 2A state champion recorded 25 pins, nine technical falls and three major decisions.

165 — Brenden Heying, jr., Benton Community — Placed fourth in 2A. Tallied 20 technical falls, five pins and three majors. Two-time state medalist and three-time state qualifier.

175 — Austin Scranton, jr., Anamosa — 2A state champion with a 49-0 record. Set the school record for wins in a season. Anamosa’s first state titlist since 2004. Notched 37 pins, three majors and two technical falls. Two-time state medalist.

190 — Nathan Beitz, jr., Maquoketa Valley — Placed third in 1A for the second straight season. Compiled a 46-3 record with 37 pins and two major decisions.

215 — Gavin Bridgewater, sr., South Tama — 2A state runner-up finished with a 44-2 record, including 23 pins, four technical falls and five major decisions. Two-time state finalist and three-time state medalist.

Hwt. — Logan Wright, sr., West Branch — 1A state runner-up finished with a 34-4 record. Amassed 25 pins and two major decisions. Two-time state medalist and three-time state qualifier.

Wrestler of the Year — Kane Naaktgeboren, sr., Linn-Mar

Coach of the Year — Clayton Rush, Alburnett

Comments: kj.pilcher@thegazette.com