106
Top Half:
#1 Grayson Kesterson (Williamsburg) sits on top of this bracket and seems to have a clear path to the semifinals. In the 2nd quarter of the bracket we could see #2 Jack Thomsen (LaPorte City, Union) square off against #8 Andrew Flora (ADM.) I think that we will get to see a rematch between Kesterson and Thomsen in the semis. Kesterson won their first bout by fall in early January.
Bottom Half:
#5 Jarod Kadel (Columbus Community) is the only ranked wrestler in the top part here and looks like the favorite to reach the semifinals. The bottom features three ranked wrestlers with #3 Will Esmoil (West Liberty) taking on #6 Carter Weeks (Vinton-Shellsburg) in a huge matchup in round one. The winner of that match will likely face #7 Brock Beck (Grinnell) in the quarterfinals.
Predictions:
Lars – Grayson Kesterson (Williamsburg) over Will Esmoil (West Liberty)
Eric – Grayson Kesterson (Williamsburg) over Carter Weeks (Vinton-Shellsburg)
Kirk – Grayson Kesterson (Williamsburg) over Will Esmoil (West Liberty)
113
Top Half:
#4 Kaleb Olejniczak (Perry) could get a test from Ian Showers (SH-BCLUW) in round one but I look for him to advance to a fun quarterfinal matchup against #1 Aden Reeves (Albia.) The next quarter of the bracket has four really good wrestlers but I think that we will see #3 Eric Faught (Clear Lake) and #6 Caleb Fuessley (Center Point-Urbana) in another exciting quarterfinal matchup. It’s hard not to be excited about a possible Reeves vs Faught semifinal if they can both get there.
Bottom Half:
#9 Kole Hansen (Atlantic) is the lone ranked wrestler currently in the top portion here but all four guys have spent time in the rankings before. This will be a great battle to see who reaches the semifinals here. The very bottom of the bracket features a fun matchup between #5 Gabe Lewis (Denver-Tripoli) vs a very good Ashton Meyers (Keokuk.) Unfortunately for them the winner will get #2 Drake Doolittle (Webster City) in the quarters. Doolittle has been great all year, but has been especially hot since dropping to 113 late in the year.
Predictions:
Lars – Drake Doolittle (Webster City) over Aden Reeves (Albia)
Eric – Drake Doolittle (Webster City) over Eric Faught (Clear Lake)
Kirk – Drake Doolittle (Webster City) over Eric Faught (Clear Lake)
120
Top Half:
The top quarter of this bracket is stacked with #7 Nick Meling (East Marshall) taking on returning place winner Jacob Felderman (Assumption) starting it off. Get past that and your prize is the winner of #2 Carter Cox (Atlantic) vs #4 Shea Ruffridge (Pocahontas Area.) #8 Blake Steege (Denver-Tripoli) is the only ranked wrestler in the next portion of the bracket and will likely make the semifinals here. He could get challenged in the quarters by the winner of a fun battle between a couple of very talented freshman in Kayden Kauzlarich (Centerville) & Sage Walker (Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont.)
Bottom Half:
#10 Sinjin Briggs (Gilbert) could get challenged in the first round by Grant Hoeger (Beckman.) The winner will likely face the red hot #5 Zachary Thompson (Perry) who came away the winner of a loaded districts bracket. The bottom portion has a sneaky good matchup between #6 Philip Ihde (Decorah) and #9 Kyler Dunn (Spirit Lake.) Unfortunately for the winner they should get #1 Bryce West (Solon) in the quarterfinals.
Predictions:
Lars – Bryce West (Solon) over Carter Cox (Atlantic)
Eric – Bryce West (Solon) over Shea Ruffridge (Pocahontas Area)
Kirk – Bryce West (Solon) over Nick Meling (East Marshall/GMG)
126
Top Half:
The first quarterfinal at 126 should feature #2 Drew West (Solon) vs #5 Brady Fritz (South Tama.) There semifinal opponent will likely come from the winner of a great first round matchup between #3 Riley Wright (Denver-Tripoli) and #4 Dante Tacchia (Iowa Falls-Alden.) Riley Wright does own a win over Tacchia earlier this season.
Bottom Half:
#6 Gabe Ruepke (Chariton) should get a good test first round from Connor Johnson (Clarion-Goldfield) who spent some time in the rankings during the year. In the quarters they will face the winner of another good first round matchup between #7 Chase McLaren (Atlantic) and #8 Kyle Anderson (Washington.) The final quarterfinal match should feature #1 Michael Millage (Crestwood, Cresco) vs #9 Sean Casey (Assumption.)
Predictions:
Lars – Michael Millage (New Hampton) over Drew West (Solon)
Eric – Michael Millage (New Hampton) over Drew West (Solon)
Kirk – Michael Millage (New Hampton) over Drew West (Solon)
132
Top Half:
The top half of this bracket is completely loaded with ranked wrestlers. #3 Matt Robertson (Assumption) should face the winner of #1 Brayden Curry (Sergeant Bluff-Luton) vs #8 Tanner Probasco (South Tama.) Robertson and Curry are the highest ranked wrestlers in the bracket after Derek Holschlag had to sit out of districts last week. #5 Noah Fye (New Hampton) will get a very stiff opening round test from Austin Gutknecht (Clarinda) who comes in at 40-4. The winner of that should face #10 Jarrett Miller (Ballard) in the quarterfinals.
Bottom Half:
#6 Gable Sieperda (Central Lyon-GLR) could get tested first round by Klayton Keller (Saydel) who has been wrestling well lately. The winner will likely face #4 Brant O’Shea (Keokuk) in the quarterfinals. #7 Ryan Steffen (Crestwood, Cresco) is the only ranked wrestler in the bottom quarter of the bracket. However, he will get an extremely tough test in the first round from Zach Stewart (Perry) who was ranked for part of the season and has had some big wins this year.
Predictions:
Lars – Brayden Curry (Sergeant Bluff-Luton) over Brant O’Shea (Keokuk)
Eric – Brayden Curry (Sergeant Bluff-Luton) over Gable Sieperda (Central Lyon)
Kirk – Matt Roberston (Assumption) over Zach Stewart (Perry)
138
Top Half:
#4 Austin Rozeboom (Boyden Hull/Rock Valley) should face #9 Ben Carr (Solon) in the first quarterfinal. #3 Tanner Abbas (Clarion-Goldfield) should get a good test from #8 Jake Recker (Beckman) in the opening round by I expect him to move on for a fun matchup with #1 Keaton Geerts (New Hampton.)
Bottom Half:
#2 Skyler Noftsger (Ballard) is the only ranked wrestler in top portion here. The bottom quarter has 3 ranked wrestlers with #5 Colton Vest (South Tama) taking on #6 Caleb Wilson (Denver-Tripoli) in a great first round matchup. In the quarters the winner will face the survivor of #10 Nate Thoms (Camanche) vs a tough Joey Busse (Humboldt) in a sneaky good matchup.
Predictions:
Lars – Keaton Geerts (New Hampton) over Skyler Noftsger (Ballard)
Eric – Keaton Geerts (New Hampton) over Skyler Noftsger (Ballard)
Kirk – Keaton Geerts (New Hampton) over Skyler Noftsger (Ballard)
145
Top Half:
In the top quarterfinal #6 Austin Hazelett (Washington) should see Carter Block (Oelwein) who was ranked earlier this season. In the bottom portion #3 Xavier Miller (PCM) will face #9 Tate Battani (Ballard) in a good opening round match. In the quarters the winner will likely face #10 Paul Ryan (Mt Vernon) who has been wrestling well lately.
Bottom Half:
In the quarterfinals we should see #1 Ryan Leisure (Clear Lake) vs #2 Kyler Rieck (Spirit Lake Park.) I am very high on Rieck but I don’t envy anyone who has to face the two-time state champ and Iowa State commit Leisure. The bottom portion has a good first round matchup between #4 Mitchel Swank (Creston Orient-Macksburg) vs Mitchel Mangold (West Delaware) who spent much of the year ranked. The winner will likely face #7 Justin Smith (Winterset) who has wrestled very well since dropping down from 152.
Predictions:
Lars – Ryan Leisure (Clear Lake) over Xavier Miller (PCM)
Eric – Kyler Rieck (Spirit Lake) over Xavier Miller (PCM)
Kirk – Ryan Leisure (Clear Lake) over Xavier Miller (PCM)
152
Top Half:
#10 Derek Fox (Osage) should get a good first round test from talented Sophomore Logan Koedam (MOC Floyd-Valley.) The winner should meet #6 Trey Van Weelden (Washington) in the quarterfinals. The other quarter should be a great battle between #3 Kade Kelso (Central Decatur, Leon) and #9 Cael Krueger (Denver-Tripoli.)
Bottom Half:
#7 Graeson Dall (Solon) has battled through some serious injury issues but is back and ready to make a state tournament run. He could see #4 John Tuttle (Spirit Lake) in the quarterfinals. #1 Joe Kelly (West Liberty) will face off against returning semifinalist #5 Trae Pecinovsky (Crestwood, Cresco) in round 1. If Kelly wins it should set up a rematch against #2 Isaac Judge (South Tama) in the quarterfinals.
Predictions:
Lars – Joe Kelly (West Liberty) over Kade Kelso (Central Decatur, Leon)
Eric – Joe Kelly (West Liberty) over Cael Krueger (Denver-Tripoli)
Kirk – Joe Kelly (West Liberty) over Trey Van Weelden (Washington)
160
Top Half:
#5 Lucas Roland (PCM) will have his hands full in round one against #9 Kolton Bartow (Dubuque Wahlert) who eliminated #1 Luke Hageman at districts. In the next portion #2 Ryan Gorman (New Hampton) will have to knock off #6 Tristin Westphal-Edwards (Washington) in round one.
Bottom Half:
#3 Julien Broderson (Assumption) and #10 John Fulk (Ballard) could square off in the first quarterfinal here. #4 Trevor Nelson (Solon) is the only ranked wrestler in the bottom portion of the bracket and a returning state finalist.
Predictions:
Lars – Ryan Gorman (New Hampton) over Julien Broderson (Davenport Assumption)
Eric – Ryan Gorman (New Hampton) over Julien Broderson (Davenport Assumption)
Kirk – Ryan Gorman (New Hampton) over Trevor Nelson (Solon)
170
Top Half:
#1 Brock Jennings (Osage) is the only ranked wrestler in the top quarter of the bracket and should make the semifinals here. #8 Noah Glaser (New Hampton) might be the favorite to face him in the semis. However, Glaser should be tested by Tyler Zeimen (Cherokee) and Jarron Trausch (PCM) in the first two rounds.
Bottom Half:
#4 Michael Kent (Iowa Falls) could get a stiff test in round one from Owen Grover(Beckman). Next up they would get the winner of #6 Drake Roller (Atlantic) and Kyler Fisher (Southeast Valley) who was highly ranked at 182 all year before dropping down to 170 late. #5 Austin Duffy (Oelwein) vs #10 Lincoln Coakley (Estherville Lincoln Central) should be a fun first round matchup. The winner should get #3 Tucker Morrison (Columbus Community) in the quarter finals.
Predictions:
Lars – Brock Jennings (Osage) over Tucker Morrison (Columbus Community)
Eric – Brock Jennings (Osage) over Tucker Morrison (Columbus Community)
Kirk – Brock Jennings (Osage) over Tucker Morrison (Columbus Community)
182
Top Half:
#2 Visouth Peterschmidt (Mid Prairie) is the lone ranked wrestler in the top quadrant of the bracket. He will get tested early but should make it to the semis. There he will likely see the winner of a good first round matchup between #7 Luke Jenness (Sheldon) and #9 Harrison Goebel (West Delaware.)
Bottom Half:
While it is hard to imagine anyone knocking off #1 Chase Shiltz (Creston Orient-Macksburg) there are three other ranked wrestlers on the bottom half that will be looking for the chance. #3 Tanner Vermaas (Woodward-Granger) will be his likely opponent in the quarterfinals. In the semis he could see the winner of a good first round matchup between #6 Kyle Benson (Sergeant Bluff-Luton) and #8 Boone McDermott (Dubuque Wahlert.)
Predictions:
Lars – Chase Shiltz (Creston Orient-Macksburg) over Visouth Peterschmidt (Mid-Prairie)
Eric – Chase Shiltz (Creston Orient-Macksburg) over Visouth Peterschmidt (Mid-Prairie)
Kirk – Chase Shiltz (Creston Orient-Macksburg) over Visouth Peterschmidt (Mid-Prairie)
195
Top Half:
#1 Bryce Esmoil (West Liberty) will face #6 Karlton Skubal (Washington) in a first round rematch that Esmoil won by fall earlier this season. The other quarter features two more ranked wrestlers in #8 Seth Moore (Ballard) and #5 Zac Stork (Atlantic).
Bottom Half:
The top of this half will have an enormous match between #2 Sam Moore (Mt Vernon) and #3 Michael Fritz (Fairfield) which Moore won 3-2 in late January. The only ranked wrestler in the bottom quarter is #4 Jackson Mikkelsen (Creston, Orient-Macksburg.) However, don’t sleep on the other first round match between Christian Harder (Gilbert) and talented freshman Cody Fisher (Woodward Granger.)
Predictions:
Lars – Bryce Esmoil (West Liberty) over Sam Moore (Mt Vernon)
Eric – Bryce Esmoil (West Liberty) over Jackson Mikkelsen (Creston, Orient-Macksburg)
Kirk – Bryce Esmoil (West Liberty) over Jackson Mikkelsen (Creston, Orient-Macksburg)
220
Top Half:
#5 Aaron Maloy (Charles City) and #6 Blade Durbala (Benton Community) will face off in a good opening round match. The winner will likely face #4 Dakoda Powell (Spirit Lake) in the quarterfinals. In the next quadrant #9 Nick Smith (Central Dewitt) will have his hands full against Hunter Ruth (Greene County) in the first round. The winner will likely face #7 Jordan Baumler (North Fayette Valley) in the quarterfinals.
Bottom Half:
The first quarterfinal of the bottom half should pit #2 Kaden Hulett (Creston Orient-Macksburg) against #3 Caleb Ring (Osage) in a great battle. Whoever comes out of that will likely face #1 Noah Broderson (Assumption) in the semifinals. Broderson could see #10 Noah Hopp (New Hampton) in the quarterfinals.
Predictions:
Lars – Noah Broderson (Davenport Assumption) over Dakoda Powell (Spirit Lake)
Eric – Dakoda Powell (Spirit Lake) over Kadon Hulett (Creston-Orient-Macksburg)
Kirk – Kadon Hulett (Creston-Orient-Macksburg) over Dakoda Powell (Spirit Lake)
285
Top Half:
We get a ranked matchup right off the bat with #6 Ethan Lape (North Fayette Valley) vs #10 Josh Wegener (Algona). The winner could see #8 Nic Hoefling (Spencer) who will get tested in round one by Brendon Lunsford (Fairfield) who knocked off #4 Linderbaum last week at districts. In the next quadrant of the bracket #3 Tristan Wirfs is the only ranked wrestler.
Bottom Half:
The next portion of the bracket is LOADED with four ranked wrestlers battling just to get to the semifinals and one of them will be eliminated on day day. #1 Spencer Trenary (Clarion-Goldfield) will face #7 Michael Ahrendsen (Union, Laporte City) in round one. The next matchup will feature #4 Tyler Linderbaum (Solon) vs #5 Elijah Van’t Hof (Sioux Center.) In the bottom quadrant #2 John McConkey (Atlantic) will take on #9 Blake Bradley (Dubuque Wahlert) with the winner being the favorite to make the semifinals.
Predictions:
Lars – Spencer Trenary (Clarion-Goldfield) over Tristan Wirfs (Mt Vernon)
Eric – Spencer Trenary (Clarion-Goldfield) over Tristan Wirfs (Mt Vernon)
Kirk – Spencer Trenary (Clarion-Goldfield) over Tristan Wirfs (Mt Vernon)