2025-26 high school boys’ wrestling: Gazette-area wrestlers and teams to watch

WRESTLERS TO WATCH

Alexander Pierce, sr., Iowa City West, 2023 Class 3A state champion, three-time state finalist, runner-up at 120 pounds last season, Went 47-3 last season and owns 124-7 overall record, three-time Mississippi Valley Conference champion.

Keaton Moeller, sr., Starmont, 2024 Class 1A 150 state champion, placed third as a freshman, 85-4 career record, missed last year due to injury, University of Northern Iowa commit.

Mason Avila, sr., Decorah, Three-time state medalist, placing seventh at 132 in 2A, fifth as a sophomore and seventh as a freshman, 75-22 career record.

Chase Watkinson, jr., C.R. Prairie, Placed fifth at 106 in 3A state meet, going 40-5 last season, first-team all-Metro, MVC champion.

Landon Bell, sr., Iowa City Liberty, Three-time state qualifier, placing fifth at 175 in 3A with 74-31 record, MVC champion.

Mikey Ryan, sr., Mount Vernon, Three-time state medalist, placed third last season with a 51-2 record, fourth as a sophomore and eighth as a freshman, 135-20 career mark.

Lucas Feuerbach, jr., Solon, Class 2A 220-pound state runner-up last season, two-time state qualifier, 88-14 career record.

Coy Mehlert, jr., Union Community, Two-time state medalist, placed third last season with a 93-13 record and fifth as a freshman, 93-13 career record.

Thomas Sexton, sr., Decorah, Two-time state medalist, placing sixth last season with a 41-6 record, placed fourth as a freshman.

Raphael Etuma, sr., Iowa City High, Placed sixth at 215 in 3A with a 35-14 record, first-team all-MVC Valley.

Philip Jacobs, sr., Linn-Mar, Two-time state qualifier, placed seventh at 175 in 3A, first-team all-Metro, second-team all-MVC Mississippi.

Tayten Coufal, sr., Alburnett, Two-time state medalist, placing sixth at 1A state in 2024 and third in 2023.

Atlee DeWitt, sr., Alburnett, Three-time state qualifier, placed seventh at 113 in 1A at 106 with a 30-9 record, 119-30 overall mark.

Cooper Hinz, sr., Jesup, Three-time state medalist, placing third in 1A at 120 with a 33-3 record, placed fifth as a sophomore, fourth as a freshman, owns 104-18 career record, University of Michigan commit.

Ethan Humphrey, jr., West Branch, Two-time state medalist, finishing third at 106 in 1A with a 23-3, River Valley Conference champion, 55-8 career record.

Ayden Bergman, sr., Jesup, Two-time state medalist, placed third as a sophomore and seventh as a freshman, two-time NICL champion.

Joe Hirsch, sr., Western Dubuque, Three-time state qualifier, placed fifth at 157 at 3A state tournament with 32-4 record, first-team all-MVC Mississippi, MVC champion, 82-25 career mark.

Aidan Timm, sr., Belle Plaine, Three-time state qualifier, finished third at 138 at 1A state with 32-4 record last season, 109-25 career record.

Kyle Kuboushek, sr., South Winneshiek, Three-time state qualifier, placing third at 165 at 1A state, going 47-3 last season, career record of 128-26.

Jackson Parmater, soph., Vinton-Shellsburg, Placed fourth at 106 pounds in 2A with a 36-8 record, Wamac Conference champion.

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TEAMS TO WATCH

IOWA CITY WEST – The Trojans are young and hungry with some established wrestlers like Alexander Pierce, Matthew Tran, Charlie Barnhouse and Campbell Janis. West was runner-up at the Mississippi Valley Conference Super Meet and return 36 state points from last year’s team that placed 10th in Class 3A. Tough competition before the holiday break will be a good gauge.

LINN-MAR – The Lions have won three of the last four MVC tournaments and capable of winning another. They have a balanced, competitive lineup powered by a strong junior class. Linn-Mar returns eight state qualifiers from last season’s team. They didn’t have an elite finisher but have multiple wrestlers that can make the leap to a higher level.

C.R. PRAIRIE – The Hawks return five starters. Each have state experience. In addition to state medalists Chase Watkinson and Louden Bloxham, Teagan Kendall, Connor Bistricky and Will Claussen advanced to Des Moines. Prairie has eight other lettermen back and a handful of younger talent that could make an impact. Strengths reside in the depth and leadership of this team.

ALBURNETT – The Pirates finished second to Class 1A powerhouse Don Bosco in both traditional state tournament and State Duals. Alburnett makes the jump to 2A this season, which might be beneficial. The Pirates have lots of talent, including two-time state medalist Tayten Coufal and state placewinners Atlee DeWitt, Owen Henriksen, Cooper Franklin and Eaghan Fleshman. They will be as competitive as any team in 2A.

DECORAH – The Vikings are poised for one of their better seasons in a long time. Decorah returns all six wrestlers that combined for 62 points and a 15th-place finish at the 2A state tournament. Mason Avila, William Fullhart and Thomas Sexton earned state medals, while Gavin Knutson, Will Larson and Kasen Tyler also have qualified. If the Vikings solidify the rest of the lineup, it could surpass last year’s performance.

INDEPENDENCE – The Mustangs have been one of the more consistent teams, reaching State Duals in five of the last six seasons. They could be in position to be a strong dual team again. Independence returns seven state qualifiers, including medalists Christopher Meyer and Braylen Bieber. An infusion of young talent will also help the Mustangs contend for a Wamac title.

JESUP – The J-Hawks have continued to soar will look to climb under first-year head coach Levi Vogel. He inherits a wealth of talent, including three-time state medalist Cooper Hinz, two-time state medalist Ayden Bergman and placewinners Carver Hinz, Kaden Lange and Dax Youngblut. Jesup has two more state qualifiers back and 11 back with at least 20 victories. Senior-laden lineup knows how to win, placing fourth and fifth in 1A State Duals the last two years. A top-four finish at State Duals and the traditional tournament is well within reach.

Comments: kj.pilcher@thegazette.com