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Columbus/WMU’s Coil captains All-Union boys wrestling
Washington, Fairfield, Columbus/WMU, Highland and WACO all represent on 2023-24 list
It was yet another fantastic year for Southeast Iowa wrestlers and more specifically Union area athletes.
More than 20 Union area athletes made the trek to the Iowa High School Athletic Association State Championships this season and a plethora walked away with state placements, including three wrestlers that were state semifinals.
Those three semifinalist were from this past season were a senior, junior and sophomore.
Fairfield leads the area with total selections this season, naming six to this years’ list. That includes the coaches honor. Washington and Columbus/WMU each have three, with the Wildcats notching the captains honor as well. WACO has two and Highland one.
Coach: Steve Miller, Fairfield
Fairfield head coach Steve Miller was one of the best in the area once again.
The Trojan’s head man once again guided a handful of Trojans to the state tournament. Five Fairfield wrestlers competed in the IHSAA State Championships this past season and two of those five made the podium. That includes a state runner-up and a fourth-place finish.
Fairfield led the Union area with the most state qualifiers, winning a combined 10 matches at the state meet.
Look for Miller and the Trojans to keep up the success with the return of four of five state qualifiers and a plethora of other talent.
Captain: 285: Russell Coil, senior, Columbus/WMU
This year’s All-Union wrestling captain is Columbus/WMU senior Russell Coil. The 285 pounder followed up a stellar junior season with an even better final high school season.
As a junior, Coil made it to the 285 semifinals, but lost three straight matches to take sixth.
Coil finished the 2023-24 season as one of the highest placers in the area, amassing a 48-2 overall record, which ended with a state semifinalist medal.
The Wildcat dominated the Class 2A 285 field at state before coming up short, 8-3, to undefeated No. 1 ranked Mac Muller (52-0) of Osage in the finals.
106: Cael McCabe, sophomore, Fairfield
One of the youngest to grace this year’s list is Fairfield sophomore Cael McCabe.
McCabe made the move to 106 after wrestling at 113 last year. The second year Trojan made a huge leap in his second varsity season, finishing 32-5. After missing out on the podium a year ago, McCabe found his way toward the top of it this time around.
McCabe won three straight matches in his 2A 106 bracket to find himself in the state championship match. The sophomore had to settle for the silver after fall to top seeded Klayten Perreault (46-0) of Mount Vernon, 7-1.
113: Gage Samo, junior, WACO
WACO junior Gage Samo got to the podium once again in 2023-24.
Samo finished sixth a year ago at 113 and this year was the same, finishing at 34-10. The third year, was defeated in the quarterfinals in back-to-back seasons.
He followed with two straight wins, but lost back-to-back matches to take the top eight finish.
120: Luke Guseman, senior, Highland
The lone Huskie on this year’s list is senior Luke Guseman.
The Highland standout got back to the state tournament for a second straight year and notched a podium finish once again.
Last season, Guseman battled to an eight place finish after falling in the seventh place match. This time around, Guseman competed in five total matches at state, ended with a victory in the seventh place match to take seventh.
Guseman ended his season with a 19-7 overall record.
126: Ty Scorpil, senior, Columbus/WMU
Columbus/WMU senior Ty Scorpil makes the All-Union list after getting to state in his senior season, closing with a 45-6 record.
Scorpil won two matches at state before coming up short in the fourth round of consolation to eventual third-place finisher CJ Davis of Burlington, Notre Dame.
He was one of four Wildcats to make the state meet this past season.
132: Aaron Boone, junior, Washington
Washington junior Aaron Boone was the lone Demons to make the state tournament this season.
Boone had a fantastic run through his third season, tallying a 46-3 record. Boone wrestled six times at state, culminating in a fourth-place finish at 132 in 2A. That’s two spot better than his sophomore season.
After coming up short in the quarterfinals, Boone won three straight matches, before falling short in the third-place match, 6-4.
138: Caden Greiner, sophomore, Washington
Another sophomore on the 2023-24 list is sophomore Caden Greiner. Despite not making the state tournament, Greiner put together a great second season.
Greiner’s season ended after a narrow loss in the district second-place match. Greiner lost the district title by decision, 8-7, and was forced to wrestle back for a shot at state. He was pinned in that match.
Greiner finished with 35 wins on the season.
144: Zandrik Allison, freshman, Fairfield
The youngest wrestlers on this year’s list is freshman Zandrik Allison.
Allison showed that he’s one of the best young talents in the area. The first year took third in district meet, missing a trip to state by just one spot.
It was a valiant effort though, ending with a record of 25-15.
150: Lane Schrock, senior, Washington
Another Demon on this year’s list is senior Lane Schrock. Schrock was yet another Washington wrestler, who just missed a state tournament berth.
Schrock ended his career with a 22-12 record.
At districts, Schrock got to the semifinals, but suffered a defeat by pin. He followed with a dominant 7-0 decision, but was defeated in the third-place match to take fourth.
157: Cason Miller, junior, Fairfield
Fairfield junior Cason Miller got back to state for the second straight season.
After bowing out in his sophomore year, Miller climbed the latter in the junior season. Miller closed his third year with a 19-3 record and a fourth-place finish at state.
Miller wrestled in a whopping eight matches in Des Moines. After losing his second match of the tournament, Miller won five straight before falling in the third-place match.
175: Kason Dopler, sophomore, Columbus/WMU
Kason Dopler is one of two 175 pounders on this year’s list. Dopler a sophomore for Columbus/WMU racked up 37 wins with the Wildcats this season and earned a trip to state.
Dopler picked up one win in his first state appearance, falling in the second round of consolation to end the season.
175: Dain Burkhart, sophomore, Fairfield
Dain Burkhart gets onto the All-Union list in his second season.
Burkhart took great strides in 2023-24, finishing with a record of 28-13 and a state tournament appearance.
The sophomore grabbed his first ever state tournament win in his first match, which was a sudden victory win, 4-2. Burkhart’s season was ended with two straight losses, but never-the-less showed he’s got a bright future.
190: Louden Huisenga, junior, WACO
The third and final state semifinalist on this year’s list is WACO junior Louden Huisenga.
Huisenga put together a fantastic season, which ended with a record of 37-1. Last season, Huisenga’s state tournament was cut short due to injury. This year he showed he was one of the best in the state.
After dominating his first two rounds, Huisenga won in sudden victory, 5-3, in the state semifinals. In the state championship match, Huisenga face No. 1 seeded MaKade Bloker (40-0) of North Butler-Clarksville, falling 9-3.
215: Dre Smithburg, junior, Fairfield
The last Trojan represented on this year’s All-Union list is junior Dre Smithburg.
Smithburg fought his way back to the state tournament for the second straight season.
Smithburg failed to pick up a win at state, but put together a nice 27-14 season in which he showed a ton of improvement.
