Iowa High School State Duals: Pairings, breakdowns and predictions

The Iowa High School Athletic Association State Duals tournament will be held Saturday at Xtream Arena in Coralville. Here is a breakdown with schedule and predictions of all three classes

STATE QUARTERFINALS

CLASS 3A

No. 1 Southeast Polk vs. No. 8 Waverly-Shell Rock, 9 a.m.

No. 4 Fort Dodge vs. No. 5 Ankeny Centennial, 9 a.m.

No. 2 Indianola vs. No. 7 Dubuque Hempstead, 10:45 a.m.

No. 3 Bettendorf vs. No. 6 Waukee Northwest, 10:45 a.m.

Outlook: Southeast Polk is a heavy favorite. The Rams have been in the state finals 10 out of the last 11 seasons, winning five titles. They are looking for their first crown since 2020. Bettendorf and Indianola could be a close battle in the semifinal. The loser in that semifinal will have another tough challenge for third against solid Fort Dodge of Ankeny Centennial teams.

Predictions: 1. Southeast Polk, 2. Bettendorf, 3. Indianola

CLASS 2A

No. 1 Osage vs. No. 8 Humboldt, 9 a.m.

No. 4 West Delaware vs. No. 5 Sergeant Bluff-Luton, 9 a.m.

No. 2 Mount Vernon vs. No. 7 Algona, 10:45 a.m.

No. 3 Creston vs. No. 6 Independence, 10:45 a.m.

WEST DELAWARE

Coach: Jeff Voss (29th year)

Record: 18-2

State duals appearances: 14th overall, seventh straight

Road to Coralville: The fourth-ranked Hawks defeated No. 23 Decorah, 43-24.

MOUNT VERNON

Coach: Vance Light (30th year)

Record: 26-1

State duals appearances: Seventh overall, second straight

Road to Coralville: The second-ranked Mustangs beat of No. 14 Solon, 46-15.

INDEPENDENCE

Coach: Michael Doyle (25th year)

Record: 22-5

State duals appearances: 13th overall, fourth in last six seasons

Road to Coralville: The sixth-ranked Mustangs dropped No. 12 North Polk, 46-25.

Outlook: The Class 2A field is wide open. Six teams have a legit shot of reaching the finals. Defending state champion Osage remains the favorite. Mount Vernon was fourth last season and is a strong contender to win a title. West Delaware has reached the last five finals, winning four straight titles from 2019-22. Don’t overlook Creston.

Predictions: 1. Mount Vernon, 2. Osage, 3. West Delaware

CLASS 1A

No. 1 Alburnett vs. No. 8 Wapsie Valley, 9 a.m.

No. 4 Lake Mills vs. No. 5 Nashua-Plainfield, 9 a.m.

No. 2 Wilton vs. No. 7 Hinton, 10:45 a.m.

No. 3 Don Bosco vs. No. 6 Jesup, 10:45 a.m.

ALBURNETT

Coach: Clayton Rush (9th year)

Record: 30-4

State duals appearances: Eighth overall, second straight

Road to Coralville: Top-ranked Pirates won 11 weights in a 60-14 win over No. 17 Earlham.

JESUP

Coach: Matt Gross (5th year)

Record: 20-2

State duals appearances: First in school history

Road to Coralville: The seventh-ranked J-Hawks beat No. 10 Lisbon, 38-24.

Outlook: Any of the top three seeds are capable of winning. Alburnett has a dual win over Don Bosco and beat Wilton in a tournament format. The Pirates have a shot to win its first title since 2016. The Dons are much stronger than that mid-December meeting with the Pirates. They will likely have to get through a salty Wilton squad in the semifinals. Wrestle this tournament three times and the order could change each time.

Predictions: 1. Don Bosco, 2. Alburnett, 3. Wilton

Comments: kj.pilcher@thegazette.com