Two Freshmen Square off for 106 Bragging Rights

On paper this year’s freshman class looks to be one of the strongest in recent memory. The class of 2022 produced an impressive five state champions at the 2019 state tournament. Our next match will feature two of those freshmen taking on each other in what will be a battle for state supremacy at 106 pounds.

He was one of the biggest names all year long, so it came to little surprise when Ankeny’s Trever Andersen wound up making the finals in Class 3A (opposite of another freshman, Mason City’s Jace Rhodes). Andersen capped off his impressive season by downing Waverly-Shell Rock’s Aiden Riggins (another standout freshman) in the state semifinals 12-6 followed by a 7-0 shutout over Rhodes in the finals. He’s already been marked as one to keep an eye on over the next three years.

On the other side of this match we have a similar story in that New London’s Marcel Lopez had to defeat another freshman to win his title, as he took out Underwood’s Stevie Barnes to win the 1A title at 106. There is no doubting that Lopez was the top wrestler in his class after he took out returning finalist #3 Jaymus Wilson in the quarterfinals, followed by #2 ranked Damon Huston in the semi’s, before finishing things against the top ranked Barnes. Lopez himself entered as the #4 ranked wrestler in 1A, but now with his match against Anderson he will have a chance to finish as the #1 wrestler in all classes at 106.

About the War at West Gym:

IAwrestle is pleased to announce that our “War at West Gym” event will be returning to Cedar Falls on Saturday, March 16th. The event will once again be held in the University of Northern Iowa’s West Gym and will pit some of the state’s top talent against one another, as well as feature talented wrestlers from across the country.

Fans are able to purchase tickets at the door, but are encouraged to buy tickets in advance. Tickets can be purchased for $10 on Eventbrite.

For those unable to attend the dual a live stream will be available through Trackwrestling. For our Season Pass subscribers the “War at West Gym” event is already included in the $65 initial fee, but fans will also have the option to purchase the stream for a one time $10 fee.

Announced Lineup:

Chloe Clemons (Cedar Rapids Jefferson) vs Sydney Park (Davenport Central)
Ali Gerbacht (AGWSR) vs Tateum Park (Davenport North)
Trever Andersen (Ankeny) vs Marcel Lopez (New London)
Caleb Rathjen (Ankeny) vs Robert Avila (Lisbon)
Jack Thomsen (Union) vs Eli Loyd (Pleasant Valley)