Iowa’s best wrestlers: Meet the state’s top 113-pounders

We continue our look at the top wrestlers in Iowa. Today, we take a look at prospects who wrestled at 113 pounds a season ago. 

The list features two-time and unbeaten champion Jace Hedeman of Union LaPorte City along with three others with state gold from previous years.

Here is a look at some of the top 113-pound wrestlers in the state of Iowa:

Jace Hedeman, Union LaPorte City, junior

Unbeaten over his first two seasons on the mat, Hedeman is one of the top pound-for-pound wrestlers in the state. He has dominated, going 94-0 with two Class 2A state titles.

Jake Knight, Bettendorf, sophomore

Nearly a perfect freshman campaign for Knight, as the Bulldog stormed through the 3A bracket to win state, finishing 46-1 overall.

Eli Becerra, Missouri Valley, senior

In three seasons at state, Becerra has placed first, second and third. He was a runner-up his freshman year, won it all the following season and placed third a year ago. Becerra comes into his senior year with a record of 130-6.

Cael Morrow, Akron-Westfield, senior

Morrow made the most of his run as a junior, capturing gold in 1A while going 38-1 overall.

Dru Ayala, Fort Dodge, senior

The brother of current University of Iowa Hawkeye Drake Ayala, Dru is the latest Dodger looking for a fourth state medal. After taking fifth as a ninth grader, he has made two straight finals, going 79-6 the past two seasons.

Connor Fiser, Bondurant-Farrar, senior

Bondurant-Farrar has put together an impressive athletic run and Fiser is part of that. He has placed third and fifth in 3A, going 43-4 last year and 41-6 the season prior.

Aiden Smith, Atlantic, junior

Following a sixth-place finish as a freshman, Smith went 37-12 to secure silver in 2A. He comes into this season 88-22 overall.

Rowdy Neighbor, Alburnett, junior

The Rowdy one, Neighbor moved up the ladder from eighth in 1A as a ninth grader to second last season, winning 47 of 50 matches in the process.

Ryker Graff, Waverly-Shell Rock, junior

When you crack the Go-Hawk lineup as a sophomore, you are special. Graff was fourth in 3A a season ago, going 34-9 on the mat.

Malik DeBow, Linn-Mar, junior

A steady climb at state has seen DeBow place seventh as a freshman in 3A while going 28-15 to fifth last year with a record of 35-7.

Truman Folkers, Ankeny, junior

Folkers worked through the tough 3A bracket as a sophomore, placing sixth last year. He Hawk wrestler was 36-14 overall.

Aiden Serrano, Carlisle, junior

Another returning 3A medalist, Serrano was seventh a season ago, winning 39 matches. As a freshman, he placed fourth and went 41-4.

Evan Bratten, Dubuque Hempstead, junior

Bratten earned a medal in 3A for Hempstead, finishing eighth overall with 36 wins to his credit.

Kaden Weber, Nevada, senior

All three of Weber’s losses the last two seasons have come at state, as the Cub was 39-2 and finished seventh as a sophomore and went 31-1 last year for third in 2A.

Ryan Bahnson, West Lyon, sophomore

Bahnson had a strong 48-8 run in his debut, placing seventh in 2A.

Carter Schmauss, Crestwood, sophomore

Another member of the Schmauss family, Carter was eighth in 2A in his first prep season, winning 37 matches.

Austin Etzel, Wilton, junior

Etzel showed that he is ready for the big stage, placing fourth in 1A with a record of 47-8.

Nic Brase, Nashua-Plainfield, junior

Brase was able to win 43 matches overall as a sophomore, including his final one at state to place fifth in 1A.

Gage Samo, WACO Wayland, junior

Samo earned a sixth place medal in 1A a season ago with a record of 18-4.

Ayden Bergman, Jesup, sophomore

Bergman put together a key freshman season, going 39-12 and placing seventh in 1A.

Cole Frost, Don Bosco, senior

Part of the strong contingent of Don wrestlers, as he was eighth in 1A with 32 wins as a junior.

--Dana Becker

Photo by Mathew Putney