With the announcement of IA Wrestle’s Night of Conflict Event last week, we will be releasing matchups for the event. The event will feature top Iowa wrestlers from around the state competing in head-to-head battles for supremacy across multiple weight classes. Since this matchup was announced on the Potentially Dangerous Podcast, this will be the first one we dive into: Justin Mejia vs Alex Thomsen.
Justin Mejia (JR)
School: Clovis, California
College: Iowa Hawkeyes
Credentials: Two-time California state champion. Less than ten wrestlers in state history have been able to win titles as both a freshman and sophomore.
Alex Thomsen (SO)
School: Underwood
Credentials: Undefeated Iowa high school state champion as a freshman, handed Drew West first career loss, Cadet freestyle runner-up at Fargo, fourth in Greco.
This looks to be a fantastic matchup on paper with the Iowa native, Thomsen getting a crack at one of the nation’s top wrestlers. Mejia has been a main staple at the top of the national rankings for his weight for most of his career, and at one point was considered the #1 ranked wrestler at his weight. He is currently on pace to be a four-time California state champion, which is something that has happened all of once in the entire history of the California state championships. Thomsen is coming off a huge national tournament in Fargo where he made the finals in freestyle and has just started to break into national rankings. Thomsen is considered a top 50 recruit for his grade year, and after a strong summer, he should see a surge.
Mejia is tough on his feet, but a big thing to watch out for is him wrestling in the top position, where he is a known hammer. Thomsen is also extremely competent on his feet, and he has been known to open it up and let it fly when he gets on the mat. One thing is for certain is that the match will also feature a pushout rule, something that the wrestling circles have been talking about for a couple years now. After seeing freestyle successfully incorporate the pushout, many have wondered if adding it to folkstyle would increase scoring and action in the center of the mat.
Thomsen wrestles freestyle on a regular basis, and trains out of the SWIFT Freco club in Southwest Iowa, so one figures that he will fairly comfortable wrestling with a pushout rule. Mejia, who hasn’t wrestled a ton of freestyle the past few years did wrestle in a match in Cedar Rapids earlier this Spring so he should be ready for the challenge.
Mejia on wrestling in Carver: “I think it’s going to be exciting and I can’t wait to hear the fans, and hopefully they are cheering for me.”
Thomsen on wrestling in Carver: “I think it’s a great opprotunity to show what I have to offer, and my style of wrestling will hopefully make the Night of Conflict interesting to watch.”
Mejia on Thomsen: “I’m excited to wrestle one of Iowa’s best, but even though he is one of the state’s best I am not going to take a back seat to anyone!”
Thomsen on Mejia: “I’ve heard about him through Flo and other outlets. I imagine since he’s ranked so high that he’s obviously going to be pretty good. I like the Challenge! I’ve never faced him before and I wouldn’t mind taking a Hawk commit in his own backyard. It’ll be interesting to say the very least.”
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Did Mejia drop out of this? Who is his replacement?
Yes he did, Austin Gomez has taken his spot vs Thomsen. More to come on that match soon
Keep up the great work iowegians. Making the great Hawkeye state better.