Iowa high school wrestling notebook (1/22/2024)

Traditionally, the Ed Winger Invitational is regarded as one of the premier events leading up to the state tournament. 

That motto held true this year, especially in the 120-pound weight class.

Bettendorf sophomore Jake Knight remained unbeaten on the season, besting Fort Dodge senior and future University of Iowa Hawkeye Dru Ayala in the finals, 5-3. Knight won the Class 3A 113-pound title last year with a 6-4 decision over Ayala.

Cody Vandermark from Ankeny Centennial rebounded from just his second loss of the year in the semis to Ayala with a fall over freshman Drew Anderson of Lewis Central ffor third.

Behind the performance of Knight, Bettendorf jumped past Fort Dodge for team gold, scoring 199.5 points. The Dodgers were second followed by Ankeny Centennial, Waverly-Shell Rock and Johnston.

Southeast Polk was in attendance but minus its regular lineup, including top 120-pounder Carter Pearson.

Bettendorf also received first-place finishes out of TJ Koester and Jayce Luna, with Lincoln Jipp finishing second and both Cody Trevino and Brayden Koester third.

Fort Dodge did pick up individual titles from brothers Damarion and Dreshaun Ross, with Koy Davidson and Cal Hartman joining Ayala as runners-up.

West Des Moines Dowling freshman Jack Wallukait remained unbeaten, winning at 106 pounds to improve to 18-0. Norwalk senior Tyler Harper also stayed perfect with a run to gold at 113, as he is now 30-0 on the year.

Waukee Northwest’s Carter Freeman avenged his lone loss by handing Davidson his first defeat at 138, 3-2. Ankeny Centennial’s Maximus Dhabolt and Lucas Bruhl, West Des Moines Valley’s Cinsere Clark, Johnston’s Jacob Helgeson, Urbandale’s Cain Tigges and Waverly-Shell Rock’s Caden Wetherell were all champions.

Bruhl and Ross are both unbeaten on the season.

Algona claims NCC title, Doolittle makes history

For years, Algona ruled atop the North Central Conference. The Bulldogs returned to that position this season, capturing the league tournament title by three points over Humboldt.

Hampton-Dumont/CAL was third, Clear Lake fourth, defending league champion Webster City fifth and Clarion-Goldfield/Dows sixth.

Carson Doolittle became the 12th member of the four-timers club, capturing another conference tournament crown. He joined his brother, Webster City head coach Drake Doolittle, on the list along with former teammate Cam Phextoumphone.

Algona made its climb to the top on the backs of individual champions Isaac Wilson, Barrett Morgan, Ashton Moreno, Tate Slagle and Taevyn Zinnel. Colby Jennings, Brody Shipler, Gavin Goche and Hunter Kollasch all placed third for the Bulldogs, who led the field with 18 pins.

Morgan and Slagle both repeated as champions, as did Hampton-Dumont/CAL heavyweight Carter Heilskov. Humboldt freshman Broedy Hendricks picked up his first NCC title at 165 pounds.

Other individual champions included Humboldt’s Sam Knight and Gaige Allen, Clear Lake’s Aiden Hippen and Christian Dunning, Webster City’s Linden Phetxoumphone and Ashtin Willms of Clarion-Goldfield/Dows. 

--Dana Becker I @SBLiveIA