Iowa high school wrestling notebook (2/11/2024)

The biggest day of the year in Iowa high school wrestling occurred Saturday, as all three classifications hit the mat for district tournaments. 

State tournament bids were handed out to those lucky enough to secure a spot inside Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines beginning Wednesday.

Everyone will be chasing Southeast Polk in Class 3A, but the Rams are going to have to fend off a serious pack of challengers.

Nine of the 13 qualifiers for Southeast Polk earned district titles, but Indianola was able to secure 14 qualifiers out of its district. Bettendorf also will bring 13 with them while Waukee Northwest, Fort Dodge and Ankeny Centennial all qualified 11.

Defending state champion Dreshaun Ross was extremely impressive for the Dodgers. The sophomore scored falls in 33 seconds and 2:42 before earning a technical fall in the finals at 215 pounds.

In Ames, Daniel Herrera, a heavyweight who won two golds in California before moving to Iowa, earned three technical falls. The future Iowa State Cyclone scored 19 points in all three of his matches to improve to 14-0 on the year.

2A: Top teams loaded for run at gold

Creston, who won the 2A state duals title, will have a great shot at completing the double after advancing 11 to traditional state. Four earned district titles with the seven others placing second.

Sergeant Bluff-Luton, runners-up to Creston at state duals, secured six district titles and two more qualifiers out of its tournament, while defending traditional state champion Osage will have eight to work with as they try to repeat.

Anders Kittleson, Tucker Stangel and Mac Muller all enter state with perfect records for the Green Devils.

1A: Once again, Don Bosco looking like champions 

Don Bosco is going to be tough to beat as they won 10 district titles. The defending state champions rolled to a state duals title last weekend.

Freshman Hayden Schwab dominated his two opponents to move to 34-0 at 106 pounds while Kyler Knaack also kept his unbeaten record intact.

Alburnett was able to advance 11 through with several district titles, while Wilton will have 10 when the action begins. 

--Dana Becker I @SBLiveIA