Three-time Louisiana high school state champion, Joshua Ramirez has decided to transfer to the state of Iowa for his final high school season. Ramirez will wrestle for in class 2A for Wahlert at 160-182 pounds. Ramirez originally committed to University of Illinois but has since opened up his recruiting process. He hopes that coming to Iowa will open more opportunities to be recognized by college coaches.
“I’m coming to Iowa for a better opportunity to reach the goals I want to achieve.” Ramirez told IAwrestle, “My college choice is open and I’m hoping this will give me a great opportunity to wrestle in college”
Ramirez is Louisiana’s first two-time Junior freestyle All-American. He’s also a UWW Cadet Freestyle All-American and has top finishes at USAW Folkstyle Nationals. Ramirez comes to Iowa holding an 133-7 high school career record.
One thing to note is Wahlert has some serious fire power in their upper weights. Kolton Bartow finished the season 31-11 and a third place finish at 160 pounds and Boone McDermott finished third at 182 pounds with a record of 35-6. Wahlert has the seventh most returning state tournament points behind, New Hampton 42, South Tama 43, Assumption Davenport 51, Denver-Tripoli 53, Ballard 55 and West Liberty 66.5.
Adding Ramirez will without a doubt shake up Class 2A.
Here is a the 2017-18 Class 2A Top Returning Teams – State Tournament Points*
*Note: The returning points below are from an article that ran earlier this year on IAwrestle, before the new classifications were released in September. Denver and Tripoli have since split and have both moved to 1A.
1. West Liberty – 66.5
Returning place-winners – 3
Will Esmoil (Fr) – 3rd @ 106
Joe Kelly (Jr) – 3rd @ 152
Bryce Esmoil (Jr) – 1st @ 195
2. Ballard – 55
Returning place-winners – 4
Jarrett Miller (Jr) – 7th @ 132
Skyler Noftsger (So) – 2nd @ 138
Tate Battani (Jr) – 7th @ 145
Ben Lee (Jr) – 2nd @ 182
Other returning point scorers
Colin Anderson (Jr) – 285
3. Denver-Tripoli – 53
Returning place-winners – 3
Blake Steege (Jr) – 2nd @ 120
Riley Wright (So) – 3rd @ 126
Cael Krueger (So) – 5th @ 152
Other returning point scorers
Gabe Lewis (Fr) – 113
Caleb Wilson (Jr) – 138
4. Assumption, Davenport – 51
Returning place-winners – 2
Matt Robertson (Jr) – 1st @ 132
Julien Broderson (So) – 1st @ 160
5. South Tama – 43
Returning place-winners – 3
Brady Fritz (Jr) – 7th @ 126
Colton Vest (Jr) – 5th @ 138
Isaac Judge (Jr) – 1st @ 152
Other returning point scorers
Dalton Rosenburg (Jr) – 182
6. New Hampton – 42
Returning place-winners – 3
Michael Millage (Jr) – 1st @ 126
Noah Fye (Jr) – 6th @ 132
Noah Glaser (Jr) – 6th @ 170
7. Wahlert – 37.5
Returning place-winners – 2
Kolton Bartow (Jr) – 3rd @ 160
Boone McDermott (Jr) – 3rd @ 182
Other returning point scorers
Blake Bradley (Jr) – 285
8. Clarion-Goldfield-Dows – 34.5
Returning place-winners – 2
Tanner Abbas (Jr) – 4th @ 138
Spencer Trenary (So) – 3rd @ 285
Other returning point scorers
Reymundo Vasquez (Jr)
Mason Carpenter (Jr)
9. Perry – 33 (HAS MOVED TO 3A)
Returning place-winners – 2
Kaleb Olejniczak (So) – 4th @ 113
Zachary Thompson (Jr) – 3rd @ 120
Other returning point scorers
Zach Stewart (Jr) – 132
10. Webster City – 29
Returning place-winners – 2
Drake Doolittle (So) – 2nd @ 113
Caleb Olson (So) – 8th @ 195
Why would you choose a Dubuque school?
Nice