HWP Class 3A State Wrestling Predictions

106 — Southeast Polk freshman Nick De Salvo will control this bracket with domination.
Here we go again. Shame on the process of seeding the tournament. Beyond laughable. De Salvo has been the TOP DAWG the entire season and is the fourth seed. Hmmm? Cedar Rapids Prairie’s Dylan Munson is the top seed, followed by Burlington’s Braxton Hutchinson and Council Bluffs Lewis Central’s Weston Porter. Irregardless, don’t let close scores inkle they were close. Nick De Salvo PERIOD!!!

113 — Yet another title for Iowa City West’s Alexander Pierce, and another step closer to 4X status

This has repeat from 2023 written all over it. And the outcome will be no different. Defending champion Pierce (Iowa City West) will defeat Norwalk’s Tyler Harper.

120 — Hasta Lasagna Don’t Spill Any On Ya. What a weight!!! Pick is Southeast Polk’s Carter Pearson Bettendorf’s Jake Knight, Dru Ayala (Fort Dodge), and Pearson have gone round and round in their career. Flip a coin, but Pearson will outlast Knight in what will yet be another CLASSIC between the two. Lets get the State’s BEST OFFICIAL for this one (hint…hint). Make certain to purchase a finals ticket as you won’t be disappointed.

126 — I’ll go with Waukee-Northwest’s Koufax Christensen as my riverboat prognostication here.
Without question, the best TOP FOUR seeds (depth) in the tournament.  No. 1 Christensen, No. 2 Tim Koester (Bettendorf),  No. 3 Maximus Riggins (Southeast Polk), and  No. 4 Ryker Graff (Waverly-Shell Rock). Additionally, all DI talent. The tournament needs an upset, right? Uh I don’t know — Go with Koufax Christensen.

132 — Future South Dakota State Jackrabbitt and defending champ Cale Seaton (Iowa City City High) is pick to win.
I know, I know, let the musical chairs verbage begin. Seaton upset by Jayce Luna (Bettnedorf) last weekend. Southeast Polk’s Justis Jesuroga beat Luna at State Duals two weeks ago. Nevertheless, I’m ALL IN on the defending champ.

138 — I like the poise and pizzaz of the UNI recruit and therefore siding with Waukee Northwest’s Carter  Freeman.
Yet another weight with outstanding depth. Freeman spearheads the list comprised of Fort Dodge’s Koy Davidson, Iowa City High’s Kael Kurtz, and Bettendorf’s Cody Trevino. Freeman’s lone loss came from Davidson. However, Freeman averted that loss next time around.

144 — Lets make this short and sweet. Kane Naaktgeboren of Linn-Mar will PIN his way through the tournament.
Kane will capture yet another TOP PRIZE for the Naaktgeboren household. One of the tournament’s DEAD MORTAL LOCKS.

150 — I’ll venture with the Go-Hawk camp, Bas Diaz.
Once again, I’m perplexed by the seeding here yet again. Nevertheless, Waverly Shell-Rock’s Diaz is the top seed, Nolan Fellers (Bondurant-Farrar) is second seeded, Justin Avila (Iowa City West) is third seeded, and Ankeny Centennial’s Lucas Bruhl is fourth seeded. Lets see … Bruhl beat Diaz, Avila outlasted Bruhl, Fellers only losses came from out-of-staters, and Diaz beat Avila — well it doesn’t matter. No pick here would be a BAD one.

157 —  Iowa City City High’s Kael Voinovich in DOMINATING fashion. 
I can’t keep myself from chuckling. Voinovich is the No. 5 seed. His lone loss came courtesy of out-of state phenom Edmund Enright (Mt. Carmel). Good gracious. I don’t know what else there’s to talk about. Okay then. The Iowa Hawkeye recruit will bonus (probably pin) himself to his first Iowa state title. Nuff said.

165 — Leaning here with the top seed as the winner, Johnston’s Jacob Helgeson.
Helgeson will be challenged by Waverly Shell Rock’s Ethan Bibler, Gabe Carver (Urbandale), and the always dangerous Lincoln Jipp (Bettendorf). Don’t forsee much change outside these top four—pretty chalky.

175 — Waterloo East’s Maximus Magayna makes history — another 4X recipient. North Dakota State bound.
Other worthy notables attempting to crash the party include Fort Dodge’s Damarion Ross and Southeast Polk’s Antonio Loving. Magayna possesses a BRUTAL ride from the top (his best position), which will be too much to overcome if your the opposition.

190 — The obvious—Brent Slade (Southeast Polk) is the pick fueling fire inside the Danarii Mickell camp
Slade vs Danarii Mickell (Ames) final. Book it. However, I hope that SMACK talk doesn’t INTERCEPT what could be an amazing final. Tremendous talent by both will be exhibited here without question. The INDIVIDUAL who keeps their composure the best will be crowned champion. Let’s hope, the officiating fraternity selects their best for this anticipated matchup.

215 — Hupke Wrestling Productions P4P Top talent in Class 3A–Dreshaun Ross of Fort Dodge. Anything else needed to elaborate?
Ross will BONUS and many will observe with their very own eyesight why this young man is the BEST in Class 3A. Enjoy the show. Really and truly. Smily face emoji.

285 — Pencil in the transfer into Ames and Daniel Herrera No. 3 seed.
Last, but not least, the BIG BOYz — yes that’s 285. Although his competition slate has been short-lived, due to transfer implications, he’s as good as ADVERTISED. Another weight class where Herrera will BONUS all the way through the bracket. Waverly Shell Rock’s Caden Wetherall will oppose Herrera in the final—the only question in store is will it go the duration…probably not, Herrera by fall.