WACO's Ian Maize reacts after winning a semifinal match at the 2026 IHSAA state wrestling championships on Feb. 14, 2026 at Casey's Center in Des Moines. (Jack Knowlton/The Union)

Southeast Iowa Union offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.

DES MOINES — Ian Maize got his rematch.

The WACO sophomore will have a second crack at a Class 1A Iowa High School Athletic Association state wrestling title. This time he’ll battle at 113 pounds after he reached the championship match at 106 as a freshman last year.

Maize defeated Westwood’s Brady Burton by major decision 15-3 in the semifinal match Friday night. He wasn’t afraid to show his emotion and confidence after the win was confirmed.

“I’m the man,” Maize yelled repeatedly to the Casey’s Center crowd.

WACO's Ian Maize (top) holds down Westwood’s Brady Burton (bottom) during a semifinal match at the 2026 IHSAA state wrestling championships on Feb. 14, 2026 at Casey's Center in Des Moines. (Jack Knowlton/The Union)

To conquer the 113-pound class, Maize will have to get through the opponent that bested him last year at 106, Don Bosco’s Kaiden Belinsky. Maize fell in an agonizingly close match that ended with a 6-3 sudden victory for Belinsky.

Maize will battle Belinsky during the second session of the IHSAA championships, which begin at 5:15 p.m. Saturday. The finals for all three classes will be wrestled during the session.

WACO's Ian Maize (top) wraps around Westwood's Brady Burton (bottom) during a semifinal match at the at the 2026 IHSAA state wrestling championships on Feb. 14, 2026 at Casey's Center in Des Moines. (Jack Knowlton/The Union)

Six area wrestlers, including Maize, all guaranteed themselves spots on the podium in their respective classes after Friday’s 1A and 2A action. Before Maize goes for the 1A 113-pound title, the other five will compete for consolation places during the morning session, which begins at 9 a.m. Saturday.

Fairfield’s Dain Burkhart will wrestle in the Class 2A 175-pound consolation semifinals. Burkhart, the No. 6 seed, lost by decision 11-8 to Mediapolis’ Kyler Crow (No. 3 seed) in the championship semifinals Friday after winning his first two matches, including an upset of No. 3 seed Ayden Antonelli of Anamosa.

Fairfield's Dain Burkhart (right) goes for a takedown against Mediapolis' Kyler Crow during a semifinal match at the 2026 IHSAA state wrestling championships on Feb. 14, 2026 at Casey's Center in Des Moines. (Jack Knowlton/The Union)

Burkhart will face No. 5 Kasen Tyler of Decorah for a spot in the third place match. He could face Antonelli again in the third or fifth place match if both wrestlers fall or win their consolation semis.

Caden Greiner will represent Washington in the 2A consolation semis at 138. Greiner flipped a 6-2 deficit to beat Rolond-Story’s Caiden Latch by decision 13-6 on Friday.

Washington's Caden Greiner tries to turn his opponent during a consolation match at the 2026 IHSAA state wrestling championships on Feb. 14, 2026 at Casey's Center in Des Moines. (Jack Knowlton/The Union)

The No. 7 seed at 138, Greiner will face No. 4 seed Kaydin Jones of Union on Saturday. He will compete in the third place match with a win.

Mt. Pleasant’s lone representative at state also gave himself an opportunity for a third place finish. Levi Evans entered the tournament as the No. 14 seed at 120 pounds. He dropped into the consultation bracket after a loss by major decision to No. 3 seed Simon Bettis of EBF.

Then Evans went on a tear. He beat four straight opponents, including No. 6 seed Mitchell Williams of Crestwood on Saturday to reach the consolation semis.

Mt. Pleasant's Levi Evans celebrates after winning a consolation match at the 2026 IHSAA state wrestling championships on Feb. 14, 2026 at Casey's Center in Des Moines. (Jack Knowlton/The Union) — Mt. Pleasant's Levi Evans celebrates after winning a consolation match at he 2026 IHSAA state wrestling championships on Feb. 14, 2026 at Casey's Center in Des Moines. (Jack Knowlton/The Union)

Evans will take on No. 5 seed Rowan Berndt on Saturday morning for a spot in the third place match.

Sigourney-Keota claims the other two 1A area wrestlers who earned podium places. Owen Menke will go for a third place finish as the No. 5 seed at 285. Menke defeated No. 9 seed Will Howes of MFL MarMac by major decision 9-0 on Friday.

Standing in Menke’s way of a spot in the third place match is No. 2 seed Nick Saxton of Emmetsburg. Menke could then face a rematch against No. 4 seed Logan Lashbrook. The Janesville senior is on the other side of the bracket and pinned Menke after 4:11 in the quarterfinals.

Sigourney-Keota's Owen Menke (top) holds down MFL MarMac's Will Howes (bottom) during a consolation match at the 2026 IHSAA state wrestling championships on Feb. 14, 2026 at Casey's Center in Des Moines. (Jack Knowlton/The Union)

No. 19 seed Ryker Van Den Heuvel will battle in the 1A seventh place match at 138 pounds. Van Den Heuvel fell by major decision to No. 3 seed Gavin Wiig of Woodbury Central on Friday after a pair of narrow wins in the previous consolation rounds.