Iowa’s best high school wrestlers: Meet the state’s top 106-pounders
As we wind down the fall sports season, wrestling takes center stage in the state of Iowa with all roads leading to Wells Fargo Arena in early 2024 and the state championships.
To kick off our look at the upcoming 2023-24 season is a list of the top 106-pound wrestlers in the state. These returning wrestlers competed at the weight during the 2022-23 season.
Iowa City West's Alexander Pierce (Photo by Matthew Putney)
Alexander Pierce, Iowa City West, sophomore
It was quite the debut for Pierce, as he rolled through the Class 3A bracket at state to claim gold, finishing his freshman season 42-2 overall.
Tyler Harper, Norwalk, senior
Harper used his experience to make a run at the title in 3A, coming up just short while settling for silver with a record of 29-6.
Carter West, Notre Dame, Burlington, senior
Twice now West has reached the finals on the biggest stage, and both times he has been forced to stand on the podium with a second place medal. The senior gets another crack and comes in having won 102 of his last 107 matches.
Mason Shirk, Wilton, sophomore
As a freshman, Shirk showed his potential, finishing second in 1A with a record of 47-4.
Carter Pearson, Southeast Polk, junior
Pearson has been right on the cusp of greatness his first two seasons on the mats for the Rams, placing third in 3A. He has a record of 82-7 during that span.
Linden Phetxoumphone, Webster City, sophomore
With a state champion brother in the family, Phetxoumphone is looking to make a name for himself. The Lynx sophomore was third in 2A a season ago, going 40-3.
Lucas Oldenkamp, Lake Mills, junior
Lake Mills continues to turn out high-level wrestlers, with Oldenkamp the latest. The junior is coming off a 48-3 record with a third place state finish in 1A.
Nashua Plainfeld's Jayden Ranken (Photo by Matthew Putney)
Jayden Rinken, Nashua-Plainfield, junior
After placing third as a ninth-grader, Rinken went 47-2 last year to win the 1A bracket. In two seasons on the mat, he has gone 100-4.
Cale Vandermark, Ankeny Centennial, sophomore
Vandermark is another of the 3A returning placewinners, as the Jaguar was fourth with 43 wins as a freshman.
Klayten Perreault, Mount Vernon, senior
Perreault waited for his turn and pounced, earning fourth in 2A a season ago as a junior with a 42-8 record overall.
Cooper Hinz, Jesup, sophomore
Hinz got a taste of the state atmosphere, placing fourth in 1A while winning 35 of his 42 matches in the process during the season.
Reid Foster, Bondurant-Farrar, senior
The Bluejays will be another contender in 3A with Foster back after securing fifth last year. He was 43-7 on the mat.
Union LaPorte City's Brayden Bohnsack (Photo by Matthew Putney)
Brayden Bohnsack, Union LaPorte City, junior
Bohnsack made the most of his opportunity, pushing through a strong group of wrestlers to secure the championship in 2A. He finished his sophomore season at 46-5.
Emmitt Newton, Davis County, junior
A two-time state placewinners, Newton was fourth as a freshman and fifth as a sophomore. He has won 92 matches to date.
Brock Shaha, Mount Ayr, junior
Not many were able to contend with Shaha, as he went 50-4 to finish fifth in 1A as a sophomore.
Mitchell Pins, Dubuque Hempstead, junior
One of the best names in the sport, Pins is coming off back-to-back 30-plus win seasons that ended with sixth place medals in 3A. He has won 65 matches overall.
Jayson Stevens, Hampton-Dumont/CAL, senior
Stevens went 38-10 to earn a sixth place medal at state for the Bulldogs in 2A.
Wesley Sadler, Lisbon, junior
Sadler looks to be another promising state contender after earning sixth as a sophomore with a 24-4 mark.
Dylan Munson, Cedar Rapids Prairie, junior
The 3A field is going to be another tough draw, with Munson settling in after placing seventh. The Prairie grappler went 41-9 last year.
Mitchell Schmauss, Crestwood Cresco, junior
Schmauss had a strong 41-3 record to finish seventh in 2A a season ago.
Davis Bramman, Riverside, Oakland, junior
One more returning placewinner in 1A is Bramman, as he won 39 matches while scoring a seventh.
Jesse Jens, Harlan, junior
Harlan might be more known for football, but Jens is looking to put wrestling on the map. He earned eighth in 2A a season ago while going 39-12 overall.
Reanah Utterback, Sigourney-Keota, junior
Utterback made history as a sophomore, placing eighth in 1A. She won 37 of her 48 matches overall during the year.
