106
#5 Gable Fox (Don Bosco) vs #7 Chance Throndson (Riceville)
A couple of very good freshman will battle in this great matchup of ranked wrestlers. Fox comes from a very storied program in Don Bosco and has been as good as advertised in his first high school season. Throndson was a little less known around the state entering the year but has certainly left his mark in his freshman season. As you will see in the next matchup this district has 4, yes all 4, wrestlers ranked in the top 10 in the state so it will be a battle to get out!!
106
#6 Will Portis (Rockford) vs #10 Donny Schmit (Wapsie Valley)
In the other half of this incredible district will be another freshman in Schmit against the Sophomore Portis. Both are very battle tested and have a lot of experience in big tournaments. Portis defeated Throndson at sectionals while Schmit fell to Fox. No matter what happens in the first round I wouldn’t count any of these wrestlers out!
106
#9 Tatem Bluml (Riverside) vs Brayden Egli (I-35, Truro)
Bluml has put together a great Sophomore season racking up over 50 wins already heading into districts. Egli is not currently ranked but don’t sleep on this highly talented freshman. He has wrestled a tough schedule with almost all of his wins coming to highly ranked wrestlers from 1A as well as class 3A. I think this match could be a lot better than it might look on paper.
120
#4 Chase McLaughlin (Lisbon) vs #5 Blake Ealy (English Valleys)
This is a very big matchup between a couple of very talented wrestlers who have put together solid seasons and are thinking about standing high on the podium in Des Moines. Unfortunately #1 and undefeated Bryce West lurks for a likely finals opponent for the winner. This appears to be a must win to make state barring a major upset in the finals.
126
#4 Nick Williams (Lisbon) vs Sheldon Ealy (English Valleys)
Another Ealy against another tough opponent from Lisbon in defending state champion Nick Williams. Williams started off the year very hot before taking a couple of late losses over the last month. Ealy is having a great senior season and comes in with only 4 losses on the year. While Williams is clearly the favorite Ealy will be ready to wrestle. #6 Tanner Greenwald likely awaits the winner in the finals.
145
#10 Lane Rumelhart (Guthrie Center) vs Gabe Henderson (Southeast Warren)
Rumelhart has had a very good senior season and has spent some time in the rankings and finished the year in the 10 spot. Henderson missed most of the season but has been unbeaten since coming back in January and comes in off of a sectional title. The winner likely faces 5th ranked Brad Kerkhoff in the finals.
170
#2 Ryan Hageman (South Winneshiek) vs #10 Austin Hoyle (Alburnett)
Hageman comes in ranked #2 in the state after placing 5th at state last season. He missed a little time late in the season with an injury but looked good in winning sectionals. Hoyle has had a solid season and comes in ranked #10 in the final rankings. Hoyle wrestles for #1 Alburnett who will be looking to qualify as many guys as possible in hopes of bringing home that team trophy as well.
182
#5 Riley Murray (Jesup) vs #8 Landers Kuboushek (South Winneshiek)
Murray is having a great senior season but comes in off of a loss in the sectional tournament. Kuboushek comes in as a sectional champ and has been ranked most of his junior season. Both guys will be coming in hungry as neither made the state tournament last year.
182
#7 Ryan Anderson (Clarion-Goldfield) vs #10 Nathan Krueger (Manson Northwest Webster)
We have another matchup of ranked wrestlers at 182 pounds. Anderson is looking for a return trip to the state tournament after failing to place last season. His Clarion Goldfield squad is looking for him to qualify and help them work towards a team trophy in Des Moines. The junior Krueger comes in as a sectional champ and is looking to qualify for his first state tournament. This should be a very good match that could go either way. #6 Sifuentes is the likely finals opponent for the winner.
195
#8 Tyler Larson (Nashua-Plainfield) vs #9 Kyle Dennis (Dike-New Hartford)
Larson comes in as a sectional champ in this battle of ranked wrestlers in what should be an exciting match. They come in with nearly identical records and are ranked as closely as can be as well. With #3 Hickson likely waiting in the finals this could be a must win match for these two ranked wrestlers.
220
#6 Logan Reddick(Wilton) vs Ryan Grosvenor (West Branch)
Reddick is having a great senior season and has racked up 38 wins already this season against some good competition. He qualified for state last year but is looking to make the stand this season. Grosvenor got his heart broken at districts last season and sat out the first semester this year before returning in January. While Reddick is the favorite Grosvenor is very tough and has been wrestling a long time.