Iowa’s best high school wrestlers: Meet the state’s top 152-pounders
Led by reigning Class 3A state champion Jacob Helgeson of Johnston, the 152-pound weight class from a year ago features some high-level talent.
Helgeson, a junior, will be chasing his third medal in three years this winter.
Don Bosco junior Kyler Knaack is another returning state champion, winning it all in 1A.
Here is a look at some of the top 152-pound wrestlers in Iowa:
Jacob Helgeson, Johnston, junior
The reigning 3A state champion is back for a run at a second title. Helgeson finished 43-0 last year after placing third as a freshman with a mark of 40-4.
Kyler Knaack, Don Bosco, junior
Another returning champion, Knaack posted a 40-2 mark to take the 1A crown home with him. As a freshman, he went 33-6 and was sixth.
Grant Kress, Linn-Mar, senior
Kress has made the perfect climb each year, qualifying as a freshman, placing seventh the following year and second last year for the Lions. Overall, he is 87-14 in his career.
Kellen Smith, West Hancock, senior
A two-time runner-up, Smith helped the Eagles claim a state football title on the gridiron. He also was sixth as a freshman and comes into the season 141-11.
Lucas Kral, Garner-Hayfield/Ventura, junior
Kral put together a 43-win campaign as a sophomore, ending with a fourth in 2A at state.
Ethan Bibler, Waverly-Shell Rock, junior
Bibler helped the Go-Hawks achieve much success, adding his own run with a sixth in 3A and 33 wins.
Brenden Heying, Benton Community, junior
A two-time state qualifier, Heying got himself on the podium in 2A a year ago, taking sixth with a 39-6 mark. The season before, he finished 35-6 and at state as a freshman.
Maddox Nelson, Underwood, senior
Nelson broke into state in a big way as a junior, racking up a 40-8 mark to finish sixth in 1A. Now, he gets a shot at a second medal as a senior.
Jack Lewis, Bondurant-Farrar, senior
Lewis was part of a successful run for the Bluejays, finishing seventh against the 3A big boys at state while winning 43 matches.
Aiden Flora, Adel-ADM, senior
An all-state football player, Flora is also a two-time state medalist, placing eighth as a sophomore and seventh last year. He has gone 41-10 during that span.
Kyler Scranton, Iowa City West, senior
Scranton showed his improvement, going from a qualifier two years ago to eighth last season in 3A. He won 36 matches last year on the mats.
Cooper Gates, West Branch, sophomore
As a freshman, Gates made it to state, placing eighth in 1A with a 36-7 record.
Ronan Thomas, Cedar Rapids Xavier, senior
Another standout on the football field, Thomas will be chasing his first medal at state this winter after qualifying each of the past two seasons with 40 wins during that time.
Braylon Griffiths, Ottumwa, senior
Griffiths won 34 matches as a sophomore and 44 last year, reaching state both times but finishing off the podium.
Brent Yonkovic, West Delaware, junior
Yonkovic, a dual-threat on the gridiron, reached state for a second time last winter after placing fifth as a freshman. He is 63-13 for his career going into his junior campaign.
Jahkari Clark, West Des Moines Valley, junior
Clark reached the 3A state tournament as a sophomore, winning 33 matches along the way.
Daniel Zeoh, Des Moines East, senior
Another returning 3A state qualifier, Zeoh was a bright spot for the Scarlets, going 38-10 overall.
Maxwell Mintle, Grinnell, senior
Mintle made it to Wells Fargo Arena last year, finishing 27-5 but off the podium.
Talan Weber, Charles City, senior
Weber is another returning qualifier from a year ago, winning 21 matches.
Jackson Carey, Nashua-Plainfield, junior
During his sophomore season, Carey put together a 35-16 record and reached state.
Kyler Crow, Mediapolis, sophomore
Quite the showing by Crow as a ninth-grader, going 34-7 and qualifying for state.
Reid Molyneux, Sigourney-Keota, senior
Molyneux gained valuable experience going into his senior season, reaching state while putting together a 28-6 record.
Kyle Kubonshek, South Winneshiek, sophomore
Kubonshek’s first season of high school wrestling ended at state, winning 37 of his 50 matches on the year.
Photo of Jacob Helgeson by Matthew Putney
--Dana Becker
