A look at Saturday’s Class 3A Iowa high school boys’ state wrestling finals. A district loss was the perfect motivator for Iowa City High’s Cale Seaton to return to form. A state championship form.
The work and dedication since a disappointing 2023 finish have paid dividends for Iowa City West’s Justin Avila. Fourth-ranked Avila defeated Ankeny Centennial’s Lucas Bruhl, avenging a loss in last season’s state quarterfinals and capturing the 150-pound title at the Class 3A district meet Saturday at Cedar Rapids Prairie. He was one of three West champions and eight state qualifiers.
Iowa won 18 of 20 matches in duals at Illinois and Northwestern, UNI and ISU split duals on their Oklahoma tour, Augsburg got revenge in the Battle of the Burgs and Prairie won the MVC team title.
Cedar Rapids Prairie’s Wyatt Vlasek posted the principles of a new mental approach on his mirror, reading them each day. He has applied them to his wrestling and has reaped the rewards, climbing to sixth in the 157-pound rankings of Class 3A.
Wartburg captured its 13th title, while Coe and Upper Iowa rebounded after opening-round losses at the NWCA Multi-Divisional Dual Championships at the UNI-Dome. Life University gets title sweep. Iowa State sweeps out west. UNI gets 800th dual win. Alburnett boys’, Decorah girls’ impressive during the Wrestling Weekend That Was.