Plainsmen, Tigers return three state qualifiers each

A total of 21 area boys wrestlers qualified for the state tournament last season.

Some have graduated, but the potential remains to have a similar number make it this season.

Here is a quick look at six area teams.

BELLE PLAINE

Head coach: Brandon Heying (16th year at Belle Plaine)

2024-25 season recap: Had three state qualifiers and one state medalist. Was not at full strength for conference meet last season, but had a strong showing at districts.

Key returners: 2025 state qualifiers — Aidan Timm (3rd at 1A-138), sr.; Will Sankot, sr.; Wade Sankot, sr.

Promising newcomer/returners: Brody Hosek, Ivan Hamilton, Tanner Johnson, Bryer Kressley

Season opener: Dec. 4 — Home quad

Season outlook: Team wants to finish above .500 in duals and aim for a top three finish in conference. Goal is to get more than three wrestlers to state. Feel they have some great youth to go along with their strong group of seniors. All three returning state qualifiers will look to finish their careers with some hardware.

BGM

Head Coach: Dalton Roberts (second season, assistant previous two seasons)

2024-25 season recap: Had one individual state qualifier. Fourth at South Iowa Cedar League meet with five finalists.

Key returners: 2025 state qualifiers — Hunter Hodina, jr.; Others — Ethan Bridgewater, sr. (conference champion), Brock York, soph.; Hunter Nusbaum, soph.

Promising newcomer/returners: Reed Slater, jr.

Season opener: Dec. 4 — at Iowa Valley quad

Season outlook: After a fourth-place finish at conference last season, the Bears feel with returning all their starters they can finish higher this season. Having near a full lineup should help. Getting more to the state tournament is a goal too. Lot of energy within the team after a week of practice.

ENGLISH VALLEYS

Head Coach: Phil Schintler (first season). First year at EV, but has plenty of coaching experience across several schools in different sports, which includes wrestling.

2024-25 season recap: Had no state qualifiers. Finished 7th at South Iowa Cedar League meet.

Key returners: Cael Grove, sr.; Kaleb Bolinger, sr.; Hunter Offerman, sr.; Teagen Mast, jr.; Matt Martinez, jr.

Promising newcomer/returners: Have four freshman that will look to improve with experience.

Season opener: 12/2- Home triangular

Season outlook: Bears feel their returners have potential, with the big goals of sending some individuals to state. Learning a new system under Schintler, but their giving 100% and putting in the work, Schintler says.

HLV-TC

Head Coach: Beau Jack

2024-25 season recap: One individual state qualifier. Finished 10th at South Iowa Cedar League meet.

Key returners: 2025 state qualifiers — Cael Weisskopf, jr.; Others — Landyn Ankrum, sr. Was a match away from state last season.

Promising newcomer/returners: A group of sophomores return this season that look to take the next step this season, which includes Tristan Pirkl.

Season opener: Dec. 4 at Iowa Valley quad

Season outlook: With a sophomore, junior heavy team and a few seniors that are coming out that did not last year, the Warriors will look to build off last season. Key part of early practices is working on finding that mental edge. “We had a lot of guys working hard in the off-season, coming in early and getting extra work,” Jack said.

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IOWA VALLEY

Head Coach: Jeremy Kriegel (13th season)

2024-25 season recap: Three individual qualifiers for the state tournament. Was selected as one of 24 teams in 1A to compete in regional duals. South Iowa Cedar League team champions (three individual champions).

Key returners: 2025 state qualifiers — Chance Hoyt, jr. (5th at 1A-150); Mason Hoyt, jr.; Nolan Kriegel. jr.

Promising newcomer/returners: Carter Koenig. soph.; Tyson Kriegel, soph. Koenig was a match away from qualifying for state last season.

Season opener: Dec. 4 — Home quad

Season outlook: Tigers have an experienced group of leaders this season who have bought into the program. The team have some promising underclassmen that will have a chance to make an impact, so it’s about teaching them how to battle though adversity on the mat and getting out of one’s comfort zone. Returning all three state qualifiers makes the Tigers one of the top contenders again this season in the SICL as they look to defend their title.

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WILLIAMSBURG

Head Coach: Grant Eckenrod (25th season). With a career dual record of 683-211-2, is 20 wins from tying all-time state record set by legendary coach Brad Smith (703-225). At Williamsburg, Eckenrod is 484-123.

2045-25 season recap: Finished with a 29-3 duals record, finished fourth at state dual meet in Class 2A. WaMaC champions. Qualified a program record 11 individuals to the state tournament.

Key returners: 2025 state qualifiers — Riker DeWitt, soph. (7th at 2A-106); Charlie Foster, soph.; Hayden Albaugh, soph.; Sawyer Kirby, jr.; Ethan Prior, sr.; Brady Grier, soph.

Promising newcomer/returners: Tyler McMullin, sr.; Nolan Kent, sr.; Caleb Lacina, sr.; Elias Schanz, jr. All four wrestled in the lineup at state duals.

Season opener: Dec. 4 — dual vs. Mount Vernon

Season outlook: Coming off a season of 11 state qualifiers, six return this season. Plenty of weights will be open now for the taking, it is just now about getting the guys spread out to fill all 14 weight classes. WaMaC, as it usually is, will remain competitive at the top with teams such as West Delaware and Independence.