Iowa’s best high school wrestlers: Meet the state’s top 120-pounders

The talented collection of wrestlers from 120 pounds last year includes a two-time state champion, a returning sophomore state champion and a three-time third place finisher. 

Koufax Christensen of Waukee Northwest leads the group as the defending Class 3A winner after going 42-1 last year. Osage sophomore Blake Fox is coming off a 51-2 campaign in which he won the 2A crown, while Webster City’s Carson Doolittle has claimed bronze each of the past three seasons in 2A.

Here is a look at some of the top 120-pound wrestlers in the state of Iowa:

Koufax Christensen, Waukee Northwest, senior

Christensen will be looking to join an exclusive list with a third state title this winter. The senior has gone back-to-back in 3A, adding to his runner-up showing as a freshman. Overall, Christensen is 106-7 in his career.

Blake Fox, Osage, sophomore

To make a run at four state titles, you have to win it all as a freshman. That is exactly what Fox did, leading a talented group of Green Devil wrestlers with a 51-2 mark.

Vinny Mayberry, Glenwood, senior

A three-time state qualifier, Mayberry has climbed the ladder, going from off the podium to fifth to second last year. During that time, he is 118-8 including a 35-2 record last year.

Timothy Koester, Bettendorf, junior

After winning it all his ninth-grade season, Koester settled for third last year in 3A. He comes into his junior season with a record of 74-6.

Carson Doolittle, Webster City, senior

Each of the past three seasons have seen Doolittle finish with a win, claiming bronze medals in 2A. He was 40-2 last year and is 115-11 in his career.

Teague Smith, West Hancock, sophomore

Smith was a key piece to the rise of West Hancock on the mats, going 48-2 and scoring a silver in 1A as a freshman.

Tayten Coufal, Alburnett, sophomore

Coufal served notice to the rest of the state as a newcomer on the scene, as the Alburnett sophomore secured third in 1A and won 40 of 51 matches.

Hayden Helgeson, Lake Mills, junior

Another who has shown his improvements at state, Helgeson was seventh as a freshman and fourth last year. He has posted an 85-17 record during those two seasons.

Shane Hanford, West Marshall, junior

Hanford had a little hiccup at state but he was still able to secure a fifth in 2A with a record of 25-3 overall during the season.

Tegan Slaybaugh, ACGC, senior

A three-time qualifier, Slaybaugh has finished fifth and fourth each of the past two seasons after making the tournament as a freshman. He comes into this season 124-25 overall.

Ryan Rider, Carlisle, junior

Rider earned his first medal in to state trips last year, placing sixth in 3A with a mark of 37-8. He qualified for the tourney as a freshman, going 27-9.

Aaron Boone, Washington, junior

Boone, and not the New York Yankees manager also named Aaron Boone, was a standout on the mats, placing sixth in 2A with a record of 45-6.

Gabriel Brisker, Wilton, sophomore

Another youngster just hitting his stride, Brisker put together a 47-7 record as a ninth-grader, culminating with a sixth in 1A at state.

Justis Jesuroga, Southeast Polk, sophomore

The name Jesuroga is a big one around Iowa when it comes to wrestling and Justis is looking to carve out his own path. As a freshman, he placed seventh for the Rams and won 34 matches.

Jaxon Larson, Don Bosco, junior

As we’ve said before, when you are part of the lineup at Don Bosco, you are always competing for state medals. That is what Larson did last year, placing seventh in 1A with a record of 31-12.

Mitchell Murphy, Dubuque Hempstead, junior

Murphy tested himself in 3A and during state, earning a spot on the award stand with an eighth and 39 wins to his credit.

Christian Ahrens, Creston, senior

As he enters his senior season, Ahrens does so with momentum and confidence, coming off an eighth place medal in 2A and a record of 44-10.

Luke Guseman, Riverside, Highland, senior

-8th 1A, 29-10

Guseman did enough at state to earn a spot on the podium, finishing eighth in 1A with a record of 29-10 as a junior.

Jonathon Ryan, Council Bluffs Abraham Lincoln, junior

In two seasons, Ryan has reached state both times in 3A. However, he is still looking for his first medal despite winning 54 matches overall.

Alex Hornyak, Waverly-Shell Rock, junior

Hornyak had plenty of success as a sophomore competing for the Go-Hawks, making state with 28 wins under his belt.

Nate Fish, Linn-Mar, senior

Twice now Fish has reached the 3A state tournament, and twice he has been forced to leave without a medal. He has scored 47 wins during that time on the mat.

Ethan Skoglund, Sergeant Bluff-Luton, senior

Two of three years have saw Skoglund make it to state, as he accomplished the feat as a junior and freshman. He finished 45-8 last year in 2A but was off the medal stand.

Landen Davis, Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont, sophomore

Davis had a strong freshman campaign, reaching the 2A state field while going 32-4 overall.

Shane Hanford, West Marshall, junior

Another youngster looking for better state results this year, Hanford made the tournament and went 25-3, but failed to come away with a medal.

Isaac Wilson, Algona, junior

The Algona program is full of standouts, with Wilson being one of them. As a sophomore, he went 41-10 overall and qualified for state in 2A. 

--Dana Becker

Photo by Matthew Putney