Iowa High School Wrestling: 2026 Semifinals Highlights & Results

The 101st annual Iowa High School State Wrestling Tournament is heating up in Des Moines, with the semifinals concluding Friday night at the Casey’s Center. Several wrestlers punched their tickets to Saturday’s championship matches, while others face a challenging road through the consolation bracket. The tournament, a tradition stretching back over a century, delivered a night of thrilling action and emotional moments.

In Class 1A, Carson Bricker of South Central Calhoun dominated Josh Nelson with a technical fall, 15-0, securing his spot in the finals. Max Millage of Earlham also advanced with an impressive 18-0 victory over Kaden Happel of Lisbon. Earlham’s performance is signaling a strong presence in the tournament.

Pleasantville senior Blake Ross achieved a significant milestone, reaching the semifinals for the first time in his career. His 3-1 win over Kaden Andrew Jessup was made even more special by the presence of his father, Chad Ross, who also serves as the team’s head coach. The moment resonated with a shared history, as Chad Ross qualified for the state tournament only as a senior and went on to win it. “It was actually my dad. Only time he qualified was his senior year and he won it. You know, he kind of followed the same path I did way back in the 1900s of, you know, making the most of his only opportunity and reaching his goals,” Ross said.

Ryan Groom of North Mahaska delivered a spectacular performance, defeating Jackson Kunkel of Hinton 19-3, and moving one step closer to his state title dream. The emotional support of his family was palpable as they celebrated his victory. Ashton Cornell, the top seed in the heavyweight division, cruised through the semifinals with a 5-0 tech fall, setting up a championship clash with Keegan Long, who secured his spot with a 3-1 win over Nick Saxton.

The Class 2A and 3A competitions also saw intense battles. North Polk senior Charlie Bowman won 9-3 in the 113 weight class, advancing to the championship. Simon Bettis of Eddyville Blakesburg Fremont pulled off a reversal to defeat Urijah Quarter of West Marshall, while Easton Near secured his second consecutive championship appearance with a 5-1 victory.

Landon Davis also mirrored Near’s success, winning by major decision and stating his focus remains solely on securing the title: “It’s a good feeling, but the job’s not done. You know, I came here to win and that’s what I’m gonna go do.” Tyler Wheeler of Prairie City Monroe dominated his opponent 16-7, while Brody Hendricks of Humboldt narrowly defeated Josh Ringler of Grinnell 4-2.

Amir Newman Winfrey scored a 16-3 major decision win at 106, and Karou Christensen of Waukee Northwest defeated Drake Pelton of Waukee in a low-scoring match. Defending champion Eddy Woody of Southeast Polk edged Cale Vandermark of Centennial 1-0 to advance to the championship. Caleb Arroyo of Urbandale defeated Avery Van Gelderen 7-2, and Nico Disalvo of Southeast Polk showcased his dominance with a 21-6 win, earning a reputation for intimidating his opponents.

Southeast Polk continued its strong showing with Will Ober Brooklyn defeating Jamie and Bogard from Ames in a tight 142 match. Marshalltown’s Nick Wise secured a dramatic 7-5 victory, punctuated by a third-period reversal, sending him to the finals amidst a roaring crowd. Noah Fellers of Bondurant Farrar overcame a past hurdle, defeating Coltin Schaefer of Oskaloosa 10-2 after three previous losses at the same stage of the tournament. Fellers emphasized his dedication to the sport, stating, “I quit everything for wrestling. What we have is what I do.”

Kelvin Radke of Ankeny won a marathon match against Fort Dodge’s Riley Brown 13-3. In the heavyweight class, three-time defending state champion Rashawn Ross of Fort Dodge delivered a dominant performance, securing a 21-7 tech fall over Kerry Cox of Pleasant Valley. Ross will face Dowling’s Brady Hagen in the championship bout.

As the tournament progresses, the team standings are also taking shape. In Class 2A, Decorah and Blakesburg Fremont are locked in a tight battle, with Fremont leading 112 to 109. Class 3A is less competitive, with Southeast Polk holding a commanding lead with 84 points, followed by Bettendorf with 25.5.

Saturday’s action begins with consolation semifinals and finals in the morning, followed by the championship matches in the evening. The finals will be broadcast live on Iowa PBS and streamed online, offering fans multiple ways to witness the crowning of the 2026 Iowa High School State Wrestling champions.