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Fairfield puts two on the podium at IHSAA State Championships
Cael McCabe places third, Cason Miller seventh to lead Trojans at state wrestling
Southeast Iowa Union offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.
DES MOINES — For Fairfield senior Cason Miller and junior Cael McCabe the Iowa High School Athletic Association’s State Wrestling Championships are a common occurrence.
Both Trojans have a multitude of experience when it comes to performing on the biggest stage.
Not only did the pair get to the state tournament last season, but they both earned a spot on the podium.
This year, the two doubled down on that narrative.
McCabe (37-3) paced the Trojans with their highest finish at the 2025 tournament, taking third at 113 pounds.
It wasn’t the result McCabe wanted, having got to the state championship match last year and taking second, but its still a commendable finish.
“It’s hard, it’s a hard feeling not getting back into the finals, but I got one more year to prove to myself that I can do it,” McCabe said. “I think that’s what I’ll do.”
In all, McCabe went 4-1 across his matches. He downed Eli Ollinger of Vinton-Shellsburg in 52 second via pin in his opening match, then tech falled Kolbe Hansen of Iowa Falls-Alden 16-0.
McCabe’s only slip up came in the semifinals against Simon Bettis of Eddyville-Balkesburg-Fremont. Bettis kept McCabe from a second straight finals trip with a 9-4 decision win.
However, he finished strong ending the tournament with a major decision win 13-0 over Rowan Berndt of Notre Dame and then a 7-1 victory over Hansen once again.
“Meeting everyone is probably the best part of the experience,” McCabe said. “I get a lifetime friend out of it. Cason (Miller) he’s my lifetime friend now. He’s gonna be there forever for me and I’ll be there for him. That’s what the sport is all about in my opinion.”
As for Miller, the 157 pounder took seventh in Class 2A. Miller, who was a fourth place finisher last season, suffered just two loses through the tournament. Both of those loses were 4-1 decisions.
Miller who was far from 100% the last two seasons, specifically dealing with a knee injury this go around, put together a fantastic career in the orange and black.
“It’s a bittersweet moment,” Miller said. “Came in here with high expectations. Should have been in that finals match, but didn’t wrestle my best in my quarterfinal match. Just had to come back and win a couple matches. Going out with a win is better than hanging it up with nothing.”
In his opening match, Miller won big over Miken Wheeler of Anamosa 17-3.
One of Miller’s two losses came in the quarterfinal round, as PCM, Monroe’s Tucker Wheeler pulled out a 4-1 decision over Miller.
He then defeated Notre Dame’s Dirk Boyles by major decision, 10-1, before falling to Owen Klocke of Carroll 4-1 in consolation round five.
The loss put him in the seventh place match against Hayden Schafer of Eagle Grove. Miller took care of business, topping Schafer by major decision 11-2.
Miller made it to the state tournament all four years of his high school career.
“We think of each other as family,” Miller said of his Fairfield teammates. “It’s been really cool to watch the team grow throughout the years. As a freshman I was the only qualifier and even last year taking five guys and this year six it’s a really good feeling.”
Along with Miller and McCabe, four other Trojans earns a spot at Wells Fargo. Dain Burkhart finished 3-2 at 175. Dre Smithburg finished 1-2 at 215, while Zandrik Allison and Alex Hudson went 0-2 at 144 and 285 respectively.
“I’m extremely proud of every single one of the guys,” Fairfield head coach Steve Miller said. “Not just the guys that qualified, but the guys that showed up in the room all season long. To bring six guys up here and compete at this level is a major accomplishment.”
