Iowa’s best high school wrestlers: Meet the state’s top 126-pounders

What an incredible tournament it was from Wells Fargo Arena at 126 pounds last year. And honestly, depending on how things shake out this winter, we could be in for another special treat among many of these same returning wrestlers. 

Cale Seaton will be back, as the Iowa City High senior is in search of a second title and fourth medal. He is joined by several other returning placewinners from the three classes.

Here is a look at some of the top 126-pound wrestlers in the state of Iowa:

Cale Seaton, Iowa City High, senior

After settling for third his first two trips to state, Seaton finally climbed to the top, finishing 37-4 overall. He enters the year 95-9 at the high school ranks.

Jabari Hinson, Ames, sophomore

The influx of young talent out of the Little Cyclone gym is crazy, with Hinson coming off a runner-up showing as a freshman. The talented sophomore went 44-4 on the mats.

Jase Jaspers, Mount Vernon, sophomore

Another youngster who shined bright, Jaspers made it to the 2A finals as a ninth grader, closing his first season at the prep level 41-5 overall.

Maximus Riggins, Southeast Polk, junior

Two years ago, Riggins placed fifth competing for Bondurant-Farrar. He transferred to Southeast Polk and was a key cog for the Ram unit, finishing third with a 35-5 mark last year.

Kolton Munson, Ogden, senior

A three-time place winner, Munson went 40-4 and was sixth in 1A last year. Prior to that, he put together a 47-2 campaign as a sophomore that included a trip to the finals and was 36-7 with a seventh as a freshman.

Brody Brisker, Wilton, senior

Another 1A three-time medalist, Brisker has twice finished fourth to go along with a fifth. He owns a record of 150-15 coming into this season.

Kaiden Dietzenbach, Notre Dame, Burlington, junior

Dietzenbach would look to be poised for a run to the finals after finishing fourth as a freshman and third last year. He went 48-2 overall last season, adding to his 16 wins captured as a ninth-grader.

Corbin Reisz, Logan-Magnolia, junior

Reisz owns two bronze medals in two appearances at state, putting together matching 45-4 campaigns.

Cody Trevino, Bettendorf, sophomore

Trevino got into the history books a season ago for the Bulldogs as a freshman, placing fourth overall in 3A. Despite being a youngster, he won 49 of his 52 matches overall.

Jerren Gille, Dubuque Wahlert, senior

In his first appearance at state for Wahlert, Gille finished fourth overall in 2A, going 39-6.

Amare Chavez, South Tama County, senior

Chavez saw his hard work in the offseason pay off once again, placing fifth in 2A with a mark of 40-7. He was 37-9 as a freshman, finishing sixth overall.

Preston Klostermann, Alburnett, junior

Another two-time medalist, Klostermann moved up one spot from his sixth place finish as a freshman, going 34-7 last year and taking fifth. He was 48-9 overall his first season on the varsity mats.

Jashua Anglo, Johnston, junior

Anglo earned himself a spot on the podium last year, placing seventh overall in 3A for the Dragons with 38 wins.

Mason Avila, Decorah, sophomore

Despite coming into state without a glossy record, Avila showed he was battle-tested, finishing seventh in 2A with a mark of 27-14.

Carson Thomsen, Underwood, senior

Thomsen from Underwood, you’ve probably heard that before, went 22-8 as a junior and finished seventh in 1A.

John King, Waukee Northwest, senior

The 3A bracket featured several elite wrestlers a year ago, and King was one of them. Now, the senior looks to build off his 27 wins and eighth place medal.

Barrett Morgan, Algona, sophomore

In terms of traditional powers in the state, Algona has long been on the short list. Morgan showed he is ready to add to that resume, taking eighth as a freshman in 2A with a record of 45-5 to his credit.

Ethan Sachau, Hinton, senior

Sachau added his first state medal last year, placing eighth in 1A with a mark of 28-6. The season prior, he qualified for state and finished 47-4 overall.

Nolan Howell, Clear Creek-Amana, junior

Howell scored a spot in the 3A bracket at state for the Clippers as just a sophomore, going 36-18 on the mats.

Jax Miller, West Delaware, junior

Miller was one of the many West Delaware qualifiers in 2A, ending his sophomore campaign 33-11 overall.

Jayden Friedrichs, Akron-Westfield, senior

Friedrichs returns in 1A off a state appearance, as he went 41-5 last year. 

--Dana Becker 

Photo of Iowa City High's Cale Seaton by Matthew Putney