Teams in attendance; AHSTW, Bedford/Lenox. Clarinda, East Mills, East Union, Griswold, Mount Ayr, Nodaway Valley, Riverside, Southwest Valley, St. Albert, Treynor, Tri-Center, Underwood.
Now let's look at the weight classes and competitors.
106 Pounds
Qualifiers-Connor Atkisson-Tri Center (43-4), Cole Wimber-East Union (26-14), Mick Schroder-Riverside (29-10), Bryce Shaha-Mount Ayr (36-2)
This weight class features two wrestlers who are ranked by IAWrestle, Shaha (6th) and Atkisson (7th), Atkisson took home a seventh-place medal at last year's tournament while Shaha is only a freshman. Shaha has taken Southwest Iowa by storm this season amassing a record of 36-2. Shaha has defeated all three of the opposing district qualifiers including an impressive pinfall victory over Atkisson in the semi-finals of the John J. Harris Invitational. Atkisson holds wins over both Wimber and Schroder. Schroder defeated Wimber in their lone meeting this year at the Ron Scott Memorial Duals.
113 Pounds
Qualifiers-Joel Sampson-AHSTW (35-20), Tyler Halloran-Clarinda (30-20), Trae Ehlen-Mount Ayr (31-7), Ian Dinsmore-Treynor (27-16).
Mount Ayr's Trae Ehlen has really impressed me this season. The Raiders have two freshmen (Shaha and Ehlen) that could end up being something really special for coaches Curt Wallace and John Ford. Ehlen has not wrestled either Dinsmore or Sampson this season, but he did pick up a tech fall win over Halloran at sectionals last week. Sampson has a win over Dinsmore this season. Halloran just recently bumped up from 106 pounds and has not wrestled any of the district qualifiers.
120 Pounds
Qualifiers-Blake Thomsen-Underwood (41-4). Jarryn Stephens-East Union (24-18), Elliott Young (AHSTW), Quentin Gregg-Mount Ayr (15-16).
One would assume that Blake Thomsen is the odds-on favorite to claim the district title. The sophomore took home fifth last year as a freshman and is ranked third by IAWrestle. Thomsen defeated Young by pinfall twice this season but has not wrestler either Stephens or Gregg this season. Young has a win over Stephens this year but has not wrestled Gregg. Stephens and Gregg have met twice. Splitting both matches. Stephens won by fall in sudden-victory (that's rare), and by 10-9 major decision at last week's sectional.
126 Pounds
Qualifiers-Alex Thomsen-Underwood (45-1), Ryan Hull-Nodaway Valley (11-31), Jaden Rasmussen AHSTW (34-14), Teagan Lundquist-Southwest Valley (37-2)
This weight class features two place winners from last year (Thomsen and Lundquist). Thomsen is a three-time state champion who is looking to finish off his high school career with four state titles and only one loss. If you've never watched him wrestle you should, he's a machine. Thomsen has picked up 24 of his wins by tech fall. Lundquist has a very similar wrestling style to Thomsen, both emphasize takedowns and are incredibly methodical in doing so. These two met in the district finals last year, Thomsen won by tech fall. Lundquist will face Rasmussen in the first round, who he pinned earlier this season.
132 Pounds
Qualifiers-Logan James-Underwood (45-2), Dylan Heideman-Bedford/Lenox (26-9), Benjamin Ehlers-AHSTW (31-23), Sherman Hayes-East Union (29-10).
Man, Underwood is STACKED at these lightweights. It's not too far-fetched to say that they could have three state champions. Logan James has been a man on a mission this year. The sophomore is ranked second in Class 1A and has just two losses on the year, both of which were at the CB Classic to Jack Huffman (Millard West) and Drew Bennett (Fort Dodge) who are ranked first and second in their respective classes. The race for the other state-qualifying spot could be wide open, Hayes has defeated Heideman twice this year, but neither of them have wrestled Ehlers.
138 Pounds
Qualifiers-Tanner Owens-Underwood (8-2), Matthew Wittstock-East Union (32-9), Trevor Nelson-Tri-Center (43-13). Austin Gutknecht-Clarinda (37-3).
This weight class is going to be fun. Austin Gutknecht has been on a mission this season and is wrestling his best when it matters the most. The rest of this class could go either way; Wittstock impressed me deeply at the Ron Scott Memorial Duals, going undefeated through the two days, he lost to Gutknecht at sectionals last week and defeated Nelson earlier this year, but he has not wrestled Owens. Owens is the ultimate-wild card, he's only wrestled 10 matches this season, but is 8-2 in those matches including a pinfall victory over Nelson at sectionals.
145 Pounds
Qualifiers-Bryson Freeberg-Tri-Center (35-11), Nate Briggs-Bedford/Lenox (28-7), Kyler Rodenburg-Underwood (32-15), Shawn Swain-Griswold (38-16).
I have no stinkin' clue what to expect in this class. I think all four wrestlers have a legitimate shot at wrestling in Des Moines next week, here is how they've fared against each other this year. Freeburg has pinned Briggs twice and Rodenburg once, but lost to Swain in their only meeting. Swain also beat Rodenburg, but Briggs beat Swain. Briggs and Rodenburg have not wrestled this year. Good luck predicting this one.
152 Pounds
Qualifiers-Michael Baker-Underwood (21-10), Cole Ridnour-Clarinda (17-22), Gabe Madsen-AHSTW (21-27), Drew Venteicher-Bedford/Lenox (35-4).
Venteicher should be considered the favorite in this class. The sophomore came oh-so-close to making the state tournament last year but came up just short. Baker was a state qualifier last year and has a pinfall victory over Madsen this year but has not wrestled Ridnour. Madsen and Ridnour have not wrestled each other this year.
160 Pounds
Qualifiers-Marcus Daughton-Mount Ayr (34-3), Brennon Mauer-Treynor (25-10), Dylan Dalton-Southwest Valley (28-12), Jackson Dunning-St. Albert (20-10).
Marcus Daughton has been perhaps one of the most underrated wrestlers this year, and maybe he prefers that. Daughton looked pretty darn impressive en route to a John J. Harris Invitational title three weeks ago. He boasts two wins over Dalton but has not wrestled either Mauer or Dunning. Dalton has been a late bloomer for the Timberwolves who has come a long way since his freshman year and has two wins over Dunning this season but has not wrestled Mauer this season. Mauer and Dunning split their two meetings this season. This could be fun.
170 Pounds
Qualifiers-Gabe Pauley-AHSTW (50-0), Merik Gaule-Southwest Valley (27-18), Mick Clevinger-Riverside (30-16), Jace Morgenstern-Clarinda (30-24).
Pauley is number one in the state for a reason, if you've never watched him wrestle, you should. Pauley is such a mauler, his style is so workmanlike that it is one of my favorites. As for the rest of this class, your guess is as good as mine. Morgenstern wrestled at 160 for the first-half of the season before bumping up. He did defeat Clevinger at John J, but has not wrestled Gaule. Gaule and Clevinger have not wrestled each other this season.
182 Pounds
Qualifiers-Derek Venteicher-Bedford/Lenox (41-1), Chris Darnold-East Mills (26-11), Joe Kenkel-AHSTW (45-10), Dylan Steinhoff-East Union (29-14).
There's a very good chance that Venteicher could take the state tournament by storm. Venteicher's one loss this season came to top-ranked Logan Schumacher (Martensdale-St. Mary's), but he has two impressive pinfall victories over seventh-ranked Nick Haynes (Missouri Valley). Venteicher has been plagued by bad luck his first three seasons, but he appears to have shaken it and is wrestling like a state title contender. As for the rest of this class, I've been thoroughly impressed by Kankel this season, he has three wins over Darnold this season but was pinned by Venteicher, Steinhoff has a victory over Darnold this season. Steinhoff and Kankel have not wrestled this season.
195 Pounds
Qualifiers-Gavyn Fischer-AHSTW (49-8), Crew Howard-Clarinda (24-19), Aaron Anderson, East Mills (19-18), Brenden Christensen-Bedford/Lenox (32-3).
By my count, AHSTW has ten district qualifiers, nine of which are underclassmen. I think its safe to say that coach Evan McCarthy has the program in a good spot. One of those underclassmen is sophomore Gavyn Fischer. Fischer's first round, opponent Crew Howard has had a productive freshman season, Howard has a win this season over Anderson, but lost by decision to Christensen at John J. Speaking of Christensen, he has had a solid senior season and could find himself on the cusp of Des Moines, he has a wins over Anderson and Howard but has not wrestled Fischer his year.
220 Pounds
Qualifiers-Chance Strough-Bedford/Lenox (35-3), Tallen Myers-Southwest Valley (27-18), Isaiah Moore-St. Albert (21-10), Brady Canada-AHSTW (37-10).
Last year, Chance Strough qualified for the state tournament while wrestling at Clarinda. This year Strough is at Bedford/Lenox and has just three losses on the season, two of which came to top-ranked Tom Reif (Missouri Valley). Strough has a pinfall victory over Canada but has not wrestled Moore. Canada is another young AHSTW wrestler that has made his way to districts, he has a pinfall victory over Moore earlier this year. Myers is the ultimate wildcard, having recently moved up from 195 pounds, he has not wrestled any of these wrestlers yet this year.
285 Pounds
Qualifiers-Josh Cox-Mount Ayr (32-8), Leland Barr-AHSTW (6-9), Kyler Christensen-Bedford/Lenox (27-14), Brock Fox (20-6).
This weight class is wide open. Josh Cox is presumably the favorite and has wrestled well this season. He has won all five previous matchups with Christensen but has not wrestled Fox or Barr this season. Fox beat Barr at Sectionals last week. If you aren't familiar with Brock Fox, it's kind of an interesting story, Fox had never wrestled prior to this season and now finds himself 20-6 on the season and battling for a spot in the state tournament.
TEAM RACE
The team championship at districts is solely for bragging rights , but it can also be a good indicator at which teams has a shot at placing high in the state tournament. I feel as if AHSTW. Bedford/Lenox and Underwood are the favorites. I think AHSTW has a realistic possibility of getting at least five of their ten qualifiers to the state tournament. Underwood has three beasts at 120, 126 and 132. Coach Joe Stephens said their goal is to win the district, I think they have a legitimate shot of doing so, but they will need their other wrestlers to step up as well. Bedford/Lenox could very easily have four district champions, throw in Nate Briggs in the wildcard 145 pound class and that could give them five state qualifiers. The wildcard here is Mount Ayr, I think there's a strong possibility that Mount Ayr has four district champions. If they do, will it be enough for them to win the team race?
Guess we will see.
Trevor, AHSTW has 10 District Qualifiers.
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