Three champions highlight 126-pound weight class

Three state champions, three nationally ranked seniors who signed with NCAA Division I programs and just one title.

Southeast Polk's top-ranked Cory Clark, No. 2 Jack Hathaway of Iowa City West and Waverly-Shell Rock's Eric DeVos will contend for the 126-pound state title in Class 3A when the Iowa High School Athletic Association State tournament begins Thursday at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, starting at 9 a.m.

Clark is a three-time Iowa state champion, attempting to become the 20th four-time prep champion in state history. Hathaway, a four-time state qualifier and three-time medalist, won the 125-pound title last year. DeVos, who won two Minnesota prep state titles as a seventh and eighth grader, won the 119-pound title in 2010.

Clark is ranked sixth nationally by InterMat and has signed with the University of Iowa. Hathaway, ranked 13th, will wrestled for Oregon State. The 20th-ranked DeVos has signed with Penn.

The trio has crossed paths at state in the past. Clark defeated DeVos by a point in the semifinals last year en route to winning the 119-pound title. Clark beat Hathaway in the semifinals as sophomores before Clark captured the 112 championship.

Hathaway defeated Clark, 2-1, in the finals of Urbandale's Ed Winger Classic in January, ending Clark's bid to be an undefeated four-time champion. Hathaway and DeVos have both split wins this season.

If both win their first-round bouts, Clark and Hathaway would meet in the quarterfinal round. A championship-caliber match held early in the tournament.

"It is what it is," Hathaway said. "It's going to happen sooner or later. Why not get it out of the way now?"

Cedar Rapids Prairie's sixth-ranked Trey Blaha is making his first state meet appearance. He will look to contend for one of the eight spots on the awards stand.

"I'm ready," Blaha said. "Whatever happens happens. Just shoot for the top."