Iowa’s best high school wrestlers: Meet the state’s top 138-pounders

There was an interesting collection of talent competing at 138 pounds a season ago in Iowa. 

From upperclassmen with multiple state medals to freshmen getting their first taste of the big stage. 

Underwood’s Blake Allen is a returning state champion while Linn-Mar’s Kane Naaktgeboren is looking for a fourth medal to conclude his career.

Here is a look at some of the top 138-pound wrestlers in the state of Iowa:

Blake Allen, Underwood, senior

After scoring fourth-place as a sophomore with a 38-3 record, Allen came up big last season, leading Underwood and becoming a Class 1A state champion with another record of 38-3 to his credit.

Kane Naaktgeboren, Linn-Mar, senior

The other Naaktgeboren brother, Kane reached the finals for the first time in his career a season ago, placing second in 3A with a 38-3 mark. As a sophomore, he finished third after taking fifth as a freshman. Naaktgeboren is 88-9 overall.

Collin Holm, South Winneshiek, senior

Holm nearly walked away with gold in 1A, falling to Allen in the finals. He was 40-2 overall as a junior.

Nolan Fellers, Bondurant-Farrar, sophomore

Wrestling is in the blood of Fellers, as his father, Adam, was a multi-time qualifier for Fort Dodge Senior High and wrestled for the University of Iowa. As a freshman, Nolan placed third in 3A with a 36-3 record.

Tate Slagle, Algona, junior

Slagle made a giant climb up the ladder last year, going from off the podium to third in 2A. He enters his junior campaign with a career record of 88-13.

Koy Davidson, Fort Dodge, junior

Another typical fighting family from Fort Dodge, Davidson was unable to duplicate his freshman season that saw him reach the finals in 3A. Instead, he placed fourth and comes into this season 66-14 overall.

Benjamin Hansen, Ankeny, senior

Three trips to state have resulted in three medals for Hansen, with a career-best sixth coming last season. Prior to that, he finished eighth both years and is 89-31 on the mat.

Ty Solverson, Boone, senior

Solverson has worked his way up in the wars of 3A, reaching state all three times. He was fifth as a sophomore and placed eighth a year ago with two seasons of at least 30 wins to his credit.

Lincoln Jipp, Bettendorf, sophomore

In his debut on the varsity scene, Jipp was strong, placing fifth in 3A while winning 42 of his 53 matches as a freshman.

Kolt Knaack, North Tama, junior

Knaack had a big sophomore campaign, going 43-4 overall while placing fifth in 1A. The year prior, he finished 41-6 and reached state.

Austin Evans, Creston, senior

After going 37-14 as a sophomore and qualifying for state, Evans went 30-7 last year and earned his first medal, taking seventh in 2A.

Tyler Wieland, Independence, junior

Wieland battled through a tough season to reach state, placing sixth in 2A while winning 36 matches overall.

Isaac Bruhl, Ankeny Centennial, junior

Bruhl competed in the rugged 3A ranks, finishing his sophomore campaign with a record of 25-8 and a seventh place medal at state.

Mikey Ryan, Mount Vernon, sophomore

As just a ninth-grader, Ryan showed no nerves, winning 40 of his 54 matches with an eighth place finish at state to his crediti in 2A.

Wyatt Vlasek, Cedar Rapids Prairie, senior

Vlasek gained some valuable experience a season ago, reaching state while winning 37 matches.

Charlie Veit, East Sac County, senior

A two-time state qualifier for the Raiders, Veit was seventh as a sophomore. He won 36 matches that year and went 48-7 a season ago.

Easton Wheeler, Anamosa, senior

Wheeler has twice reached the promised land known as state, going 69-20 during that time. He has yet to record a medal.

Dawson Fish, Dubuque Hempstead, senior

In two trips to the state tournament, Fish has been unable to land the big one, finishing off the podium. He won 30 matches last year and 28 the season before.

Jake Mitchell, Iowa City High, senior

Mitchell has proven himself on the mats, twice now qualifying for the 3A field. During those trips, he has posted a record of 58-22 overall.

Kanen Decker, Wapsie Valley, junior

Decker is another in a long list of two-time qualifiers still searching for his first medal. The junior has gone 75-29 in his career.

Aiden Hippen, Clear Lake, sophomore

Hippen is part of the resurgence at Clear Lake, qualifying for state as a freshman with a 34-13 mark.

Nile Sinn, Williamsburg, junior

Sinn posted a strong 43-13 record as a sophomore last season, including a trip to state.