The Iowa state event has been crammed with sensational performances, beautiful upsets and scintillating storylines via the primary three days in Des Moines. The stage is ready now for Saturday evening’s finals, which have drawn a sold-out crowd for greater than three many years. 

There’s historical past at stake with Ben Kueter aiming to develop into the state’s seventh wrestler to undergo highschool with out a loss, two set to tangle within the 195-pound title bout in Class 3A and a pair of clashes between nationally-ranked contestants. 

Right here’s a take a look at the ten championship matches you don’t wish to miss:

Class 3A 

113 — Dru Ayala (Fort Dodge) vs. Jake Knight (Bettendorf) — A state title and the higher hand within the season collection is what’s at stake when these two fast-paced, nationally-ranked opponents meet Saturday evening. Ayala gained the primary assembly, 6-4, on the season’s opening weekend. So far, that’s the one loss in 46 highschool matches for the Bettendorf freshman. Knight evened the rating with the returning state finalist earlier this month when he gained a 3-1 resolution on the state duals. 

182 — Gabe Arnold (Iowa Metropolis Excessive) vs. Tate Naaktgeboren (Linn-Mar) — Spherical 4 has arrived for 2 of the nation’s prime 182-pounders. Fourth-ranked Arnold has gained the primary three conferences, however the margins have grown nearer every time, going from 8-3 in December to 3-1 in January to 3-2 in a tiebreaker on Jan. 28. The long run Hawkeye is making an attempt so as to add a Iowa highschool state title to a resume that features a pair of Nationwide Preps championships. Iowa State-bound Naaktgeboren, who’s ranked sixth nationally, is bidding for his third straight state championship after shedding to Ben Kueter within the finals as a freshman. 

195 — Dreshaun Ross (Fort Dodge) vs. Danarii Mickel (Ames) — Dig via the Iowa highschool report books and also you possible gained’t discover a freshman champion in Class 3A at a weight heavier than 160. There might be one Saturday evening after Ross collides with Mickel. Ross is rangy and explosive, a mixture that provides him quick-strike skill. Mickel’s protection is difficult to crack via. This might be their fourth assembly. Ross has gained every of the primary three, however he wanted time beyond regulation to win final month within the Ed Winger semifinals. 

220 — Ben Kueter (Iowa Metropolis Excessive) vs. Joe Lewis (Dubuque Hempstead) — Kueter is on the point of Iowa highschool historical past. The U20 World champion enters the ultimate match of his prep profession with 110-0 report. Right here’s your entire listing of Iowans who’ve gone via highschool with out a loss: Dan Gable, Jeff Kerber, Dan Knight, Jeff McGinness, Eric Juergens and John Meeks. Kueter has been on a destruction course all through his senior season. He’s 38-0 with 34 pins, two technical falls and a pair of forfeits. He’s overwhelmed Lewis 3 times, teching him twice and pinning him the opposite time.  

Class 2A 

126 — Jase Jaspers (Mount Vernon) vs. Derrick Bass (Davenport Assumption) — Jaspers misplaced his first highschool match again on Dec. 1 and dropped a pair of choices to Bass this season, however the freshman has been lights out in Des Moines. In the meantime, Bass has been onerous to corral. He’s solely scored eight factors on his path via the bracket, however he’s surrendered only one. 

132 — Kale Petersen (Greene County) vs. Anders Kittelson (Osage) — Petersen is in pursuit of his third title and he’s buzzed via the bracket with three main choices. Kittelson’s path has been more difficult. The three-time medalist and 2021 runner-up opened the event with a technical fall earlier than registering 5-1 and 3-1 choices, the latter of which got here in opposition to returning finalist Matthew Beem of Glenwood. 

170 — Nick Fox (Osage) vs. Ethan DeLeon (Bishop Heelan Catholic) — Fox is again within the finals for the fourth time and chasing his second title after successful the championship final 12 months at 160. The Northern Iowa recruit is 49-2 this season. DeLeon, a Nebraska recruit, is 44-0 as a senior after a runner-up end final season. 

Class 1A 

120 — Brandon Paez (Lisbon) vs. Teague Smith (West Hancock) — Paez is making his fourth finals look after successful titles as a freshman and junior. The Northern Iowa recruit is 37-1 this season. Smith’s freshman season has been large. He ran his report to 48-1 with a significant resolution win within the semis. 

152 — Kellen Smith (West Hancock) vs. Kyler Knaack (Don Bosco) — Smith dismissed an obvious leg harm early in Friday’s semifinal match after which went on to submit a 12-6 win in opposition to Underwood’s Maddox Nelson to enhance to 47-0. Smith positioned sixth as a freshman and second final 12 months. Knaack’s profession has taken an analogous trajectory up to now. He was sixth final 12 months as a freshman and he’s within the finals after working his report to 39-2 this season. 

160 — Wyatt Reisz (Logan-Magolia) vs. Dominic Lopez (New London) — Reisz is making an attempt to cap his profession together with his third title after inserting fifth as a freshman. He’s been dominant this week in Des Moines, notching a pair of shutout techs and a first-period pin. However the diploma of issue ramps up Saturday evening. Lopez turned Iowa’s all-time profession wins chief on Thursday and posted his 221st victory in Friday’s semis. He’s nonetheless chasing his first title, although. He positioned fourth as a freshman and third every of the previous two seasons. He takes a 57-0 report into the finals.