We are officially underway from downtown Des Moines for the 2026 Iowa state high school wrestling tournament.

Wrestlers and coaches have a slightly different schedule than in years past, with only Class 3A competing in the evening on the opening day of the tournament. After the first session on Wednesday evening, quarterfinal matches have been set in Class 3A. The start of competition in Class 2A and 1A begins on Thursday, Feb. 19.

Here are some rapid reactions and analysis from the start of the IHSAA wrestling tournament.

More: Iowa high school state wrestling tournament live results, updates

Southeast Polk starts hot at Iowa state wrestling tournament

• The Rams are out in front after the first session, to no surprise, sending 11 wrestlers to the quarterfinals and having 13 of their 14 state qualifiers still competing. They’re already out to 68 team points, 10 more than second-place North Scott.
• Leading the way was Amir Newman-Winfrey (106 pounds), Mat Prine (120), Eddie Woody (126), Nash Hanson (132), Nico DeSalvo (138), Wil Oberbroeckling (144), Justis Jesurgoa (150), Dokken Biladeau (165) and Cael Roberts (285). That group of nine reached the quarterfinals while adding bonus points for the team. Those nine wrestlers are responsible for 52.5 team points alone, which would be good enough for fourth place as a team.
• On the team’s mentality entering the tournament, looking for a third state tournament crown, Oberbroeckling said this: “We’re pretty confident. We weren’t so sure at the start, but these guys caught along pretty quick (on) what it is supposed to look like out there.”

Indianola’s Cain Crosson discusses first Iowa state wrestling tourney

Indianola’s Cain Crosson discusses his first Iowa state wrestling tourney, wrestling with his brother

Des Moines-area’s top wrestlers thrive in opening rounds

• As always in the state’s largest class, Des Moines-metro schools came to compete. Of the top 10 schools in the team standings, six of them are from the Des Moines area, including Southeast Polk (first), Indianola (third), Dowling Catholic (fourth), Urbandale (seventh), Waukee Northwest (eighth) and Ankeny (tenth).
• Dowling Catholic has seven wrestlers in the quarterfinals, including Cruz Gannon (106), Jack Wallukait (113), Kayden Eller (120), Kyler Simons (138), Airic Conn (144), Jayden Zachary (150) and Brady Hagan (285). Gannon, Wallukait, Eller and Hagan all earned wins by fall and are expected to be the top-point getters for the Maroons.
• The always pesky Indianola program had a nice showing as well. Five of its wrestlers are in the quarterfinals, including the Crosson brothers, Cain (113) and Mac (165), who both carry legitimate state title aspirations at their weight.
• Waukee Northwest also had a particularly nice showing, sending six of its nine state qualifiers to the quarterfinals. While they sit in eighth, only Southeast Polk and Dowling Catholic have more in the quarterfinals. Of those six, just one is a senior, heavyweight Henry Mohr. The Wolves may not be team state title contenders this time around, but this young program has a lot to be excited about this week and beyond, with wrestlers like Carew Christensen (113) and Hayden Hutt (144) who continue to show potential.