Hoyt triplets make history, share strong bond

MARENGO — Being a triplet is a rarity in itself.

Being triplets who all qualify for state wrestling in the same year is a one-of-a-kind piece of history.

The Hoyt triplets of Iowa Valley accomplished that historic feat Saturday during boys’ wrestling districts.

The moment is one the Hoyt triplets will never forget. They’ve been able to build a special bond through the sport of wrestling.

“Being a triplet is very special to me, and us all qualifying is really amazing,” Mason Hoyt said. “The bond we have with each other is really special because we can lean on each other and you know they will be right by your side every step of the way.”

“It is special to me, and I won’t ever forget it,” Chance Hoyt said.

It all started a few weeks prior to districts when Skyler Hoyt qualified for the second time for the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union state wrestling tournament.

The tight bond between the three has helped motivate Skyler to be the best she can be on the mat.

“It’s been an honor to be in the wrestling room with my brothers,” Skyler Hoyt said. “Watching my brothers succeed is one of the best things to see. When they succeed it makes me want to work harder.”

Seeing their sister qualify inspired Chance and Mason heading into Saturday.

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The two had their work cut out for them as the Tigers were at the Class 1A district in Pleasantville. The field had more ranked wrestlers (21) than any other field in the class thanks in large part to Alburnett, which advanced 13 of its 14 wrestlers to State.

Both advanced to the finals.

At 150 pounds, Chance Hoyt fell to Alburnett’s Reece Klostermann, sending him to a wrestleback for second.

Two weight classes later, Mason Hoyt defeated top-seeded Hunter Sauer by an 11-8 decision, clinching his ticket to state.

Chance Hoyt, after seeing his brother qualify, won his wrestleback by major decision.

“I was glad that I got to do it right after I knew Mason already punched his way there,” Chance Hoyt said.

“It felt very rewarding to qualify for the first time because of all the hard work we put in throughout the season paid off,” Mason Hoyt said.

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Wrestling in the Hoyt family goes beyond the triplets.

The oldest brother, Brody, is a two-time state qualifier who now wrestles at Hawkeye Community College.

Last year, another sibling, Garrett, qualified for state. Their father Eric, also wrestled in high school.

“It’s been very awesome being in a wrestling family and having older brothers that have already been through it,“ Chance Hoyt said. ”Brody and Garrett have helped us out a lot in this sport, and I am very grateful.“

The Hoyt siblings not only inspire each other to be the best wrestlers they can be, they inspire one another in everything they do.

“My biggest inspirations are my brothers and my sister,” Mason Hoyt said. “They all make me want to push myself harder in, not only just wrestling, but anything I do.“

Iowa Valley Coach Jeremy Kriegel is thankful that the Hoyt family is at Iowa Valley and that he’s able to coach the Hoyt triplets.

“This family has always been special to me,” Kriegel said.

“The triplets each have their own unique personalities, but one thing is consistent with all of them, their hard-work ethic and respect they give to everyone they come in contact with.

“They are making a name for themselves throughout the state, and Iowa Valley is very fortunate to have them,” Kriegel said.

Chance and Mason turn their sights to making their state debuts Wednesday at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines. They can be confident, knowing what they’ve already accomplished this season.

The Hoyts have made history, and they’re only sophomores.

Who knows what history they’ll make in the coming years in the sport.