Iowa’s best high school wrestlers: Meet the state’s top 285-pounders

We wrap up a look at the top wrestlers by weight in Iowa with the heavyweight division. 

“The Big Boys” list includes several returning state medalists, future University of Iowa Hawkeye football players and more.

Here is a look at some of the top 285-pound wrestlers in the state of Iowa:

Cooper Martinson, Southeast Polk, junior

Martinson will be a key piece for the coming years for the Rams, as he placed fourth last year in Class 3A as just a sophomore. The standout finished the year with a record of 35-14 overall.

Mac Muller, Osage, senior

Look for Muller to be competing for 2A state gold this coming year, as the Green Devil was fourth last season with a mark of 44-9.

Paul Ballard, Albia, senior

A three-time state qualifier, Ballard finally secured his first medal last year, placing fifth in 2A with a record of 52-3. Overall, he entered the year 110-26.

Russel Coil, Columbus/WMU, senior

Coil landed on the 2A state podium last year as a junior, placing sixth with a record of 43-8.

Cody Fox, East Buchanan, senior

Fox, a three-time state qualifier, has committed to Iowa to play football in the fall. Before that, he looks to build off a sixth-place finish last year and add to his fourth and seven place 1A medals.

Joey VanWetzinga, Pleasant Valley, junior

VanWetzinga, who will join his brother as a Hawkeye when he finishes his high school career, placed seventh in 3A as a sophomore last season with a record of 20-5.

Carter Heilskov, Hampton-Dumont/CAL, senior

The Bulldog claimed seventh in 2A to conclude a standout junior campaign, as he won 37 of his 42 matches overall.

Aiden Salow, Maquoketa Valley, senior

Salow, a University of Northern Iowa football commit went 31-10 as a junior for Maquoketa Valley, placing seventh in 1A last year.

Gage Jorgenson, Emmetsburg, senior

Jorgensen owns a pair of state qualifying bids and an eighth place 1A medal to his resume. He has gone 68-17 over the past two years.

Jamal Neeway, Waukee Northwest, junior

Neeway earned a spot in the 3A state field as just a sophomore last year, going 22-10 for the Wolves on the mats.

Keeron Harris-Veasley, Waterloo East, junior

It was a shortened campaign for Harris-Veasley, but he made the most of it, qualifying for state in 3A with a record of 9-4.

Aiden Lee, Bettendorf, senior

Lee was battle tested by the time the postseason came around, and he fed off that, earning a state bid while competing in 52 matches.

Tucker Anderson, North Polk, senior

Anderson looks to earn a second consecutive state appearance after reaching Wells Fargo Arena last year as a junior, going 29-12 overall.

Trent Patton, Glenwood, senior

Patton concluded his junior season with a state appearance, winning 37 of the 48 matches he took part in.

Cohen Reffer, Algona, senior

Reffer, a key member of the Bulldog football team this past fall, went 27-13 and earned a spot in the 2A state field.

Jesue Garcia, Boyden-Hull/Rock Valley, senior

Garcia put together a junior season in which he won 34 matches and reached the state tournament field.

Max Chapman, Creston, senior

Chapman was a key piece to Creston’s memorable football run in the fall, and now, he gets the chance to showcase it all again after qualifying for state and winning 41 matches last year.

Evan Sorensen, Atlantic, junior

Sorensen put a strong cap on his sophomore season, reaching state with a record of 39-11.

Sean May, BCLUW-SH, senior

May won 37 of 47 matches and earned himself the chance to wrestle the best at state as a junior.

Matthew McDanel, Moravia, senior

One final chance remains for McDanel to garner state gold, as the Moravia heavyweight qualified last year and won 36 matches.

Payton Jacobe, ACGC, senior

After winning 41 of 49 bouts, Jacobe looks to make it two straight bids to state.

Jace Henderson, MVAOCOU, junior

Henderson will have two years to build off his initial state appearance, as he went 38-9 as a sophomore.

Trenton Warner, Nodaway Valley, junior

Despite his youth, Warner was strong at the heavyweight spot last year, going 42-8 and qualifying for state.

Keegan McMillan, West Sioux, senior

McMillian is sure to catch some eyes this year after winning 30 of his 35 matches and reaching state.