Bryce Esmoil
106
Top Half:
Class 2A will start with a bang when #2 Matthew Lewis (Centerville) battles #3 Keaton Zeimet (Central Dewitt) in the first round. These two freshman have been every bit as good as we thought they could be this season. They come in with a combined 78-3 record and it’s a shame that they have to meet this early. The winner should be the favorite to make a run to the finals. The next quarter of the bracket is loaded too with 3 ranked wrestlers. #4 Averee Abben (Osage) will face #7 Benjamin Schmitz (Kuemper Catholic) in the opening round. #10 Mason Hill (Cherokee, Washington) will have a stiff test right away with Landon Fenton (PCM, Monroe)
Bottom Half:
The first quarter on the bottom could see a matchup between upperclassmen with #1 Jarod Kadel (Columbus Community) and #5 Jacob Mielke (Pocahontas Area). The bottom portion includes #6 Colby Lillegard (Bondurant-Farrar) and #8 Sam Nelson (Clear Lake) who comes in off of a district win over #4 Abben. Both these guys will get tested in the opening round from Johnathon Erp (Red Oak) and Johnny Hua (MOC-Floyd Valley) who both spent time in the rankings this season.
Finals Predictions:
Lars: Jarod Kadel (Columbus Community) over Matthew Lewis (Centerville)
Kirk: Jarod Kadel (Columbus Community) over Matthew Lewis (Centerville)
Eric: Jarod Kadel (Columbus Community) over Keaton Zeimet (Central Dewitt)
113
Top Half:
The top half of this bracket only features 3 ranked wrestlers but the top 2 are both up here. At the top of the bracket is defending state champ and #1 ranked Grayson Kesterson (Williamsburg) who will get a good test from #8 Ryan Clark (Mt Vernon). In the next quarter #2 Andrew Flora (ADM) will be a heavy favorite to reach the semifinals. Flora versus Kesterson in the semis would be a great bout that many thought would be the finals.
Bottom Half:
The top of this half will start with another great bout. #3 Kain Luensman (Monticello) will face #5 Brock Beck (Grinnell) in the opening round with the winner looking to make a deep run. The bottom quarter could see a fun matchup between talented freshman in #4 Nathaniel Genobana (Centerville) and #10 Remington Hanson (Clarion-Goldfield)
Finals Predictions:
Lars: Grayson Kesterson (Williamsburg) over Kain Luensman (Monticello)
Kirk: Grayson Kesterson (Williamsburg) over Kain Luensman (Monticello)
Eric: Kain Luensman (Monticello) over Grayson Kesterson (Williamsburg)
120
Top Half:
The top portion of the bracket could feature a fun rematch between #6 Jack Gaukel (Sergeant Bluff-Luton) and #7 Zeb Gnida (Solon) which Gaukel won the first time around. The next portion will feature a first round matchup between #3 Kaden Anderlik (Crestwood) vs #10 Carson Babcock (NHTV, New Hampton) with the winner likely facing #2 Drake Doolittle (Webster City) for a trip to the semifinals.
Bottom Half:
We will get a good first round match between #5 Caleb Fuessley (Center Point-Urbana) and #9 Bryce Hatten (Winterset). The winner could face #8 Kurtis Krager (OA-BCIG) in the quarterfinals who will get a solid test from Walker Ikerd (Washington) in round one. On a collision course in the bottom quarter are #1 Aden Reeves (Albia) and #4 Jack Thomsen (Union, Laporte City) who has been red hot late in the season.
Finals Predictions:
Lars: Aden Reeves (Albia) over Drake Doolittle (Webster City)
Kirk: Aden Reeves (Albia) over Kaden Anderlik (Crestwood)
Eric: Aden Reeves (Albia) over Drake Doolittle (Webster City)
126
Top Half:
#1 Eric Faught (Clear Lake) will get tested in his opening bout by #7 Hunter Pfantz (West Marshall) with a solid John Crowley (Tipton) likely waiting in the quarters. The next quarter final could be a great bout between #3 Phillip Ihde (Decorah) and #4 Jalen Schropp (Williamsburg).
Bottom Half:
#2 Shea Ruffridge (Pocahontas Area) will be tested by #8 Mason Cleveland (NHTV, New Hampton) in round 1. The winner will likely get #6 Morgan Rowley (Anamosa) in the quarter final bout. The bottom will feature a fun first round bout between #9 Carter Weeks (Vinton Shellsburg) and #10 Kole Hansen (Atlantic). The winner will likely face #5 Kayden Kauzlarich (Centerville) for a trip to the semifinals.
Finals Predictions:
Lars: Eric Faught (Clear Lake) over Shea Ruffridge (Pocahontas Area)
Kirk: Eric Faught (Clear Lake) over Shea Ruffridge (Pocahontas Area)
Eric: Eric Faught (Clear Lake) over Shea Ruffridge (Pocahontas Area)
132
Top Half:
#9 Chase Luensman (Monticello) will get a tough test in the opening round from Trey Lawrence (Southeast Valley) with the winner likely seeing #6 Chase McLaren (Atlantic). #4 Gabe Ruepke (Chariton) will have a tough first round match in Max Babcock (NHTV, New Hampton). The winners reward will be a quarters match against defending state champion and #2 ranked Matt Robertson (Davenport Assumption).
Bottom Half:
We will see a fun first round match between #3 Gable Sieperda (Central Lyon GLR) and #8 Jack West (Winterset) with the winner likely facing #7 Carson Hartnett (Webster City) who has been wrestling great since dropping to 132. In the bottom portion #1 Will Esmoil (West Liberty) will get a good opening test from Luke Radeke (Vinton Shellsburg) who was ranked much of the season. The winner should face #5 Brady Fritz (South Tama) for a trip to the semifinals.
Finals Predictions:
Lars: Matt Robertson (Davenport Assumption) over Will Esmoil (West Liberty)
Kirk: Will Esmoil (West Liberty) over Matt Robertson (Davenport Assumption)
Eric: Will Esmoil (West Liberty) over Matt Robertson (Davenport Assumption)
138
Top Half:
#9 Matthew Doyle (Independence) will get a stiff round one challenge from solid freshman Colby Tool (PCM Monroe) with the winner likely facing #5 Coy Ruess (West Liberty) in the quarterfinals. #3 Easton Graff (Sergeant Bluff-Luton) faces a tough test in freshman Reed Abbas (Clarion-Goldfield-Dows) in round one as he look to stay red hot. He’s knocked off guys ranked #1 in 1A & 3A this year but will face his toughest test yet in the quarterfinals with #1 Michael Blockhus (NHTV, New Hampton)
Bottom Half:
#4 Tanner Probasco (South Tama) is the clear favorite in the top quarter here. He will face the winner of a rematch between Kruise Kiburz (Winterset) and Cam Rice (Columbus Community) which Rice won earlier this season. #2 Jarrett Miller (Ballard) appears to be the clear favorite in the bottom quarter of the bracket but could see #10 Adam Hansen (Center Point-Urbana) in round 2.
Finals Predictions:
Lars: Michael Blockhus (NHTV, New Hampton) over Jarrett Miller (Ballard)
Kirk: Michael Blockhus (NHTV, New Hampton) over Jarrett Miller (Ballard)
Eric: Michael Blockhus (NHTV, New Hampton) over Jarrett Miller (Ballard)
145
Top Half:
The top half of this bracket includes the top 4 ranked kids at the weight. #4 Mitchel Swank (Creston, Orient Macksburg) and #9 Colton Vest (South Tama) face off at the top of the bracket with the winner likely facing #2 Tanner Abbas (Clarion-Goldfield-Dows). The next quarter final will likely pit #1 Noah Fye (NHTV, New Hampton) against #3 Ryan Steffen (Cresco, Crestwood) who have a long tradition against each other. Fye missed significant time late in the season due to injury but has cruised through sectionals and districts since his return.
Bottom Half:
With all of those guys on the top side it really opens up this half for someone to make a run to the finals. The top quarter could see #7 Joey Busse (Humboldt) take on #8 Klayton Keller (Saydel). The bottom quarter looks like it could be #5 Austin Rozeboom (Boyden Hull/Rock Valley) against #10 Jake Recker (Beckman Catholic) who will be tested first round by previously ranked Scott Betterton (Vinton Shellsburg).
Finals Predictions:
Lars: Noah Fye (NHTV, New Hampton) over Austin Rozeboom (Boyden Hull/Rock Valley)
Kirk: Tanner Abbas (Clarion-Goldfield-Dows) over Austin Rozeboom (Boyden Hull/Rock Valley)
Eric: Tanner Abbas (Clarion-Goldfield-Dows) over Austin Rozeboom (Boyden Hull/Rock Valley)
152
Top Half:
The highest ranked wrestler on the top half is #4 Mitchel Mangold (West Delaware) who will face a good test in round one from #10 Luke Rohmiller (Webster City) with the winner likely facing #6 Baylor Crigger (Camanche) in the quarters. Another ranked first round match will have #5 Kyler Rieck (Spirit Lake Park) vs #9 Caleb Swalla (Van Meter/Earlham) with the winner likely facing #7 Nolan Harsh (ADM).
Bottom Half:
We will likely get to see #2 Skyler Noftsger (Ballard) against #3 Joe Kelly (West Liberty) in the quarters in a great battle of former state runner ups. Returning state champion and #1 ranked Isaac Judge (South Tama) appears to be the clear favorite in the bottom portion and should await the winner of Noftsger and Kelly in the semifinals.
Finals Predictions:
Lars: Isaac Judge (South Tama) over Mitchel Mangold (West Delaware)
Kirk: Isaac Judge (South Tama) over Mitchel Mangold (West Delaware)
Eric: Isaac Judge (South Tama) over Mitchel Mangold (West Delaware)
160
Top Half:
#2 Luke Hageman (Beckman Catholic, Dyersville) has had bad luck the last few years with tough district draws. This year he gets to state and draws #3 Wes Cummings (PCM Monroe) in the first round. The winner of this match appears to be the clear front runner for a berth to the state finals. #6 Zach Williams (Osage) is the only other ranked wrestler on the top half of the bracket.
Bottom Half:
#7 Colter Bye (Cresco, Crestwood) faces #9 Luke Martin (Bishop Heelan Catholic) in a fun round 1 match with the winner likely facing 3x Louisiana state champion and #1 ranked Josh Ramirez (Dubuque Wahlert) in the quarter finals. #8 Cale Reicks (NHTV, New Hampton) faces Austin Beaver (West Liberty) in what could be a key first round match between the top 2 ranked teams in class 2A. The winner will likely face #4 Tate Battani (Ballard) in the quarter finals.
Finals Predictions:
Lars: Josh Ramirez (Dubuque Wahlert) over Luke Hageman (Beckman Catholic, Dyersville)
Kirk: Josh Ramirez (Dubuque Wahlert) over Wes Cummings (PCM Monroe)
Eric: Josh Ramirez (Dubuque Wahlert) over Luke Hageman (Beckman Catholic, Dyersville)
170
Top Half:
#2 Kolton Bartow (Dubuque Wahlert) will face off against #10 Carter Maynes (Red Oak) in the first round with the winner likely facing #5 Tyler Zeimen (Cherokee, Washington) in round 2. Another ranked matchup on the top side is set between #3 Noah Glaser (NHTV, New Hampton) and #6 Tristan Hansmeier (Waukon). Glaser did defeat Hansmeier a couple of weeks ago at the conference tournament.
Bottom Half:
#4 Tristin Westphal-Edwards (Washington) will face #7 Lincoln Coakley (Estherville Lincoln Central) in the opening round bout. Another fun opening round match will feature Paul Ryan (Mt Vernon) who ended the year ranked #5 at 160 before bumping up for the postseason against a tough Kyle Owens (Shenandoah). On the bottom of the bracket #1 Lucas Roland (PCM Monroe) will face #8 Zane Williams (Webster City) in round one.
Finals Predictions:
Lars: Lucas Roland (PCM Monroe) over Kolton Bartow (Dubuque Wahlert)
Kirk: Lucas Roland (PCM Monroe) over Kolton Bartow (Dubuque Wahlert)
Eric: Lucas Roland (PCM Monroe) over Kolton Bartow (Dubuque Wahlert)
182
Top Half:
#6 Mike Hoyle (Solon) will face #10 Conner Huss (MOC Floyd Valley) in a big first round match with the winner likely facing #2 Kyler Fisher (Southeast Valley) in the quarters. The next quarter final match will likely have #7 Jarron Trausch (PCM Monroe) vs #5 Thomas Bentley (Red Oak).
Bottom Half:
#4 Luke Jenness (Sheldon) will wrestle #8 Owen Grover (Beckman Catholic) in a great first round matchup. The winner will likely face #3 Ben Lee (Ballard) who is coming in wrestling his best after a little bit of an up and down season. #9 Dalton Rosenberg (South Tama) gets the tall task of facing defending state champion and #1 ranked Julien Broderson (Davenport Assumption) in the opening round.
Finals Predictions:
Lars: Julien Broderson (Davenport Assumption) over Kyler Fisher (Southeast Valley)
Kirk: Julien Broderson (Davenport Assumption) over Kyler Fisher (Southeast Valley)
Eric: Julien Broderson (Davenport Assumption) over Kyler Fisher (Southeast Valley)
195
Top Half:
#3 Nick Foss (Harlan) faces #8 Blake Anderson (OA-BCIG) in a big first round matchup in the top portion of the bracket. The winner will likely meet up with #4 Nick Smith (Central Dewitt) in the quarters. #1 Bryce Esmoil is the lone ranked wrestler in the next quarter and should be waiting in the semifinals.
Bottom Half:
#2 Cody Fisher (Woodward Granger) seems like the clear favorite on the bottom half, however, he had to injury default the district finals so his health will be a big factor in this bracket. He will get tested right off the bat with a tough Shyler Langley (Bishop Heelan Catholic) and then the winner of #9 Camron Woodley (Mt Vernon) or a really good Reldon Miller (Gilbert). The bottom quarter will likely pit #7 Josh Holub (Williamsburg) against #5 Harrison Goebel (West Delaware). Goebel does own a win over Holub earlier this season and could become the favorite to reach the finals if Fisher’s injury isn’t improved.
Finals Predictions:
Lars: Bryce Esmoil (West Liberty) over Cody Fisher (Woodward Granger)
Kirk: Bryce Esmoil (West Liberty) over Cody Fisher (Woodward Granger)
Eric: Bryce Esmoil (West Liberty) over Cody Fisher (Woodward Granger)
220
Top Half:
Defending state champion and #2 ranked Jordan Baumler (North Fayette Valley) seems to have a clear path to the semifinals here. The next quarter looks like it should be a fun matchup between #4 Tyler Anderson (OA-BCIG) and #5 Areon Day (NHTV, New Hampton).
Bottom Half:
#6 Hunter Crawford (Independence) is the lone ranked wrestler in the upper portion here but faces a good challenge in Chase Bellon (Knoxville) in the first round. #3 Dakota Powell (Spirit Lake Park) faces #7 James Cherry (Webster City) in a really great first round matchup. The winner should see #1 Boone McDermott (Dubuque Wahlert) in the quarter finals.
Finals Predictions:
Lars: Boone McDermott (Dubuque Wahlert) over Jordan Baumler (North Fayette Valley)
Kirk: Boone McDermott (Dubuque Wahlert) over Jordan Baumler (North Fayette Valley)
Eric: Boone McDermott (Dubuque Wahlert) over Jordan Baumler (North Fayette Valley)
285
Top Half:
We should get the match that everyone has been wanting to see in the quarter finals here between two state runner ups with #1 Cooper Lawson (Webster City) taking on #2 John McConkey (Atlantic). The winner of that match will be the clear favorite to make the finals.The next portion will have a great first round match between #7 Blake Bradley (Dubuque Wahlert) and #8 Jacob Knutson (Cresco, Crestwood) with the winner likely making the semifinals.
Bottom Half:
#5 Spencer Trenary (Clarion-Goldfield-Dows) will face #6 Brendon Lunsford (Fairfield) in a great opening round match with the winner being the favorite to make the semis. #3 Tyler Linderbaum (Solon) could get a test from #9 Kobe Clayborne (Bishop Heelan Catholic) in the bottom quarter.
Finals Predictions:
Lars: Cooper Lawson (Webster City) over Tyler Linderbaum (Solon)
Kirk: John McConkey (Atlantic) over Tyler Linderbaum (Solon)
Eric: John McConkey (Atlantic) over Spencer Trenary (Clarion-Goldfield-Dows)
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