Iowa’s best high school wrestlers: Meet the state’s top sophomores

The group of sophomores in Iowa on the wrestling mat is one that has fans excited.

As newcomers to the prep scene, this group shined brightly, led by Dreshaun Ross.

The Fort Dodge Senior High standout won a Class 3A state title and has picked up multiple Division I Power 5 wrestling and football offers.

Joining him are the likes of Alexander Pierce, Jake Knight and Mason Shirk.

Here is a look at the top sophomore wrestlers in Iowa: 

Dreshaun Ross, Fort Dodge, 215

An elite talent, Ross, who has received numerous Power 5 football and wrestling offers, won it all last year, going 44-2. Each tournament he has entered has resulted in a first-place finish for Ross.

Alexander Pierce, Iowa City West, 113

Pierce was excellent in his first prep season, scoring a 3A state championship while going 42-2 overall. He picked up a couple of golds in freestyle and Greco during the spring.

Jake Knight, Bettendorf, 120

Knight was as good as anyone last season, winning it all in 3A with a mark of 46-1 overall. He has since continued his success throughout this year looking to earn another gold.

Mason Shirk, Wilton, 113

Shirk earned a silver at state in 1A last year, picking up a Greco title over the summer. He has since won another conference crown along with other invite titles.

Linden Phetxoumphone, Webster City, 113

Following brother Cam Phetxoumphone’s footsteps, Linden was a third-place finish in 2A fo the Lynx, going 40-3. He earned himself a North Central Conference title recently.

Blake Fox, Osage, 138

Fox came into the fold and won a state championship for the Green Devils while going 51-2 on the year. One of the premier wrestlers in the state, he captured state-level titles over the spring and summer.

Jabari Hinson, Ames, 138

Hinson won it all as a freshman, going 44-4 to lead the Little Cyclones. Hinson won both a conference and Keith Young crown during the recent regular season.

Danarii Mickel, Ames, 190

Mickel and Fort Dodge’s Dreshaun Ross put on a show last year, as both reached the finals as ninth-graders. Forming quite the 1-2 punch with Hinson, Mickel also won the league title and was first at the Council Bluffs Classic.

Cale Vandermark, Ankeny Centennial, 113

Coming off a fourth place finish in 3A, Vandermark has continued to secure his spot near the top of the pecking order. He recently finished second at the Ed Winger and also had a strong summer on the state scene.

Justis Jesuroga, Southeast Polk, 132

Carrying the Jesuroga name, Justis showed out last year, placing seventh overall. He competed around Iowa this past summer and continued to showcase his skills.

Carter Schmauss, Crestwood, 120

Schmauss claimed a spot on the state medal stand in 2A a season ago. He started off this year with gold medal performances at four consecutive events.

Jase Jaspers, Mount Vernon, 138

Jaspers reached the state championship in 2A as a freshman. He posted a pair of wins in Mount Vernon and Newton during the regular season.

Tayten Coufal, Alburnett, 126

After placing third at state, Coufal locked up a conference title this past season as he moves into pursuit of a state championship.

Teague Smith, West Hancock, 138

Smith, who was a state runner-up last year, earned five tourney titles over the past several months after helping the Eagles win a state football title in the fall.

Keaton Moeller, Starmont, 150

Moeller locked up a third place medal at state and has been early unstoppable since. He won the conference crown and several other tournaments as he gears up for a state run.

Benjamin Walsh, Ankeny, 106

Walsh has been a constant threat since stepping on the mat, placing high at numerous state and national events over the years.

Cody Trevino, Bettendorf, 138

Trevino will look to build off a conference tournament win as he moves into the upcoming state tournament. He also was third at the Ed Winger and won the Baltzley.

Wil Oberbroeckling, Southeast Polk, 138

Part of the recent team that captured 3A gold at state duals, Oberbroeckling now has plenty of momentum heading into the postseason. He was seventh at the Cheesehead earlier this year.

Nolan Fellers, Bondurant-Farrar, 150

The son of a former state placewinner for Fort Dodge Senior High and Hawkeye wrestler, Nolan is carving out his own path. He placed third last year at state.

Jaxon Miller, Carlisle, 157

Miller was fourth in 3A last year for Carlisle after capturing a league title. He repeated that feat recently and will look for another state medal here shortly.

Lincoln Jipp, Bettendorf, 165

Jipp won the Donnybrook and MAC titles along with adding a second at the Ed Winger. He was fifth at state a season ago.

--Dana Becker I @SBLiveIA