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5 area wrestlers go 5-0 to kick off 2026
Williamsburg’s Donohoe has best performance of season at 138
Southeast Iowa Union offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.
WILLIAMSBURG — Williamsburg’s Wyatt Donohoe came into Saturday 3-11 on the season for the Williamsburg boys wrestling team.
Donohoe had his best performance of the season to kick off the new year, going 5-0 at the Williamsburg Holiday Duals.
“I’m super happy for him,” Williamsburg coach Grant Eckenrod said. “It’s been a struggle mentally for him. He had a lot of success at the lower levels, but it’s tough making that step up to the varsity level as a freshman, especially at his weight class (138 pounds).
“He showed some heart today, and he can build off this. He’s got the talent.”
Donohoe won two matches by fall, one by forfeit, one by injury default midway through and one by an 8-6 decision over Alburnett’s Clayton Strang.
A takedown in the final period gave Donohoe the victory.
Four other area wrestlers went 5-0 for the day.
Donohoe’s teammate, Riker DeWitt, continued his undefeated season with three bonus point victories. DeWitt, ranked fifth in 2A at 113, is now 20-0 on the season.
“He just a goer and a non-stop wrestler,” Eckenrod said. “He’s only going to keep building and keep getting better. He’s got to keep working hard.”
Williamsburg went 4-1 in duals on the day.
“It was a good day,” Eckenrod said. “That first meet after Christmas break is almost like starting over a lot of times.”
The Raiders, ranked 16th in 2A, dropped the final dual to 2A No. 6 Alburnett, 48-16.
The Pirates won 10 of 14 matches in the dual. Williamsburg’s wins came from DeWitt, Donohoe, Brady Grier (175) and Elias Schanz (190).
“They were a lot more physical and tougher than us,” Eckenrod said. “We have got to work on bottom, but we’ll get better and keep grinding.”
Iowa Valley’s Hoyt brothers were each 5-0 Saturday.
Chance Hoyt, ranked fourth at 150 in 1A, won all four live matches by fall.
Mason Hoyt, ranked 6th at 175 in 1A, picked up a head-to-head ranked matchup win over Williamsburg’s Brady Grier, ranked 10th at the weight in 2A.
Mason Hoyt controlled most of the match, winning by a 7-2 decision.
The Tigers’ third ranked wrestler, Nolan Kriegel, went 4-1. Kriegel’s lone loss came to 2A sixth-ranked Josh Ringler of Grinnell.
“It’s been a different atmosphere in the room for those three this year,” Iowa Valley coach Jeremy Kriegel said. “They’re really stepping up in their work ethic, and we’re seeing it pay off. They’re realizing they can wrestle with some of the best in the state.”
Iowa Valley went 3-2, picking up dual wins over English Valleys, Grinnell and Montezuma.
Of the Tigers’ younger core of wrestlers, Carter Koenig, picked up another solid win at 120 over Williamsburg’s Charlie Foster, a state qualifier from a season ago.
Koenig picked up seven points right away in the first period with four nearfall points after a takedown. Foster clawed his way back, but Koenig held on for the 7-5 decision.
“He just had to wrestle through some positions and not stop,” Kriegel said. “Our younger kids are just trying to learn how to finish some matches.”
“Hopefully we continue to see growth as a team and as individuals.”
The Tigers are ranked 16th in the team dual rankings in 1A. The top 24 teams in the final rankings will advance to regional duals.
Montezuma went 1-4 in duals, and Braxton Plants continued his strong season at 215.
Plants, ranked second in 1A, won all five matches by bonus points, with four falls.
Karson Ross (106) and Rett Pargeon (144) each finished 3-2.
“Rett had some great matches for us,” Montezuma coach Mike Plants said.
After Saturday, the Braves will focus more on the health of their wrestlers.
“We had some guys injured coming in banged up, and we had two more get injured today,” Plants said.
English Valleys went 0-5 in duals as a team.
Cael Grove at 125 was the highlight for the Bears.
Grove finished 3-2 Saturday, picking up three wins by fall.
Kaleb Bolinger had a nice win at 215 against Williamsburg’s Wes Stoner.
Dual Results
Alburnett 58, Iowa Valley 20
Alburnett 78, Montezuma 6
Alburnett 82, English Valleys 0
Alburnett 48, Williamsburg 16
Grinnell 41, English Valleys 24
Grinnell 36, Montezuma 36 (Grinnell won by tiebreaker)
Iowa Valley 48, Montezuma 35
Iowa Valley 48, Grinnell 24
Iowa Valley 59, English Valleys 24
Montezuma 61, English Valleys 12
Williamsburg 73, Grinnell 6
Williamsburg 72, English Valleys 12
Williamsburg 55, Iowa Valley 16
Williamsburg 75, Montezuma 6
