Iowa

Newman-Winfrey carries on 106-pound tradition for Southeast Polk wrestling

Published

1 week ago

February 21, 2026

Newman-Winfrey carries on 106-pound tradition for Southeast Polk wrestling

There’s a spot that’s stitched on the upper back of Amir Newman-Winfrey’s singlet he sported during the Iowa state wrestling tournament quarterfinal and semifinal rounds.

That stitch comes from Nico DeSalvo’s mom, who patched the singlet two years ago before DeSalvo won his first state title at 106 pounds. One year after that, Eddie Woody donned the same exact singlet during the season when he won the 106-pound weight class for the Rams. Now, it’s Newman-Winfrey’s turn to wear it. The same duds, with ‘Rams’ printed across the chest, the same weight class and the same goal.

Win a state title.

Thus far, Newman-Winfrey has lived up to the reputation being built by Southeast Polk at 106 pound wrestlers over the last two seasons. He’s in the state finals on Feb. 21, with two pins and a major decision during the tournament to get there.

The major decision he earned was over an elite wrestler, Fort Dodge freshman Knox Ayala, the younger brother of Iowa Hawkeyes and state tournament icons Drake and Dru Ayala. Knox Ayala’s slide-by attacks, speed and grit in the top position are all already at a high level, mirroring much of what his brother’s have done.

Still, Newman-Winfrey rolled to a 16-3 major decision and is one match away from making it three state championships in a row at 106 pounds for Southeast Polk. At a minimum, he’s already helped his team clinch the team title in Class 3A.

“It’s just passing down to generations,” Newman-Winfrey said. “We all work hard together, we all train together. It’s amazing.”

All three of DeSalvo (138), Woody (126) and Newman-Winfrey (106) are in the state finals for the Rams this year. But the energy the team has for their young freshman is obvious. His talent level is something they have a ton of confidence in, and it has been proven right by his performance so far.

“He’s going out there and wrecking people’s souls,” DeSalvo said. “He’s going out there, no matter who you are, he’s going to try to put his skull through your face.”

Newman-Winfrey got involved in wrestling at a young age, attracted to the physicality, family atmosphere at Southeast Polk, and the ability to travel the country for national tournaments. Right away, Newman-Winfrey was winning a ton at youth-level stages.

It was around middle school, however, where Newman-Winfrey hit a growth spurt. Trying to build his strength and figure out how to use his body saw him start to lose frequently for a period. For a moment, he considered quitting wrestling entirely and going to play football.

Southeast Polk continued to work with him on his mindset and body, putting him in the fire at big national tournaments to get him battle-tested so he could learn from losses. As time went on, he found his footing and has become an elite talent in Iowa.

“He’s made those changes and it’s really benefited him,” Southeast Polk head coach Jake Agnitsch said. “People are starting to see, like, how good he actually is.”

With one more win, Newman-Winfrey can turn back-to-back championships at 106 pounds into a three-year streak for the Rams. He’ll draw Dowling Catholic’s Cruz Gannon, whom he defeated by decision in a dual earlier this year by a 17-10 scoreline.

As a wrestler from a young age, winning on a stage like this is the opportunity he’s been waiting for.

“I’ve been wanting to be here for a long time now,” Newman-Winfrey said. “This is where I’m about to prove myself.”

Eli McKown covers high school sports and wrestling for the Des Moines Register. Contact him at Emckown@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @EMcKown23.

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Iowa

Iowa Boys High School Basketball Substate Finals Locked In For 4A

Published

8 hours ago

February 28, 2026

Press Room

Iowa Boys High School Basketball Substate Finals Locked In For 4A

The fourth and final bunch of Iowa high school boys basketball substate championship games are now set after the second round of Class 4A games were completed on Friday, February 27.

Substate championships in Iowa’s largest classification will take place on Tuesday, March 3, with the higher seed serving as host in all eight games. Winners advance to Des Moines, Iowa and the Casey’s Center to compete in the Iowa High School Athletic Association Boys State Tournament beginning March 9.

Three-time defending 4A state champion Valley was eliminated by Ankeny, 72-36. The Tigers, who lost all five starters from a year ago, won just one game prior to earning a victory in the opening round of postseason play.

Cedar Falls, who has held the No. 1 spot in 4A throughout the season, scored a dominating 78-45 decision vs. Iowa City High to move on.

Colin Rice, a Nebraska commit for Fred Hoiberg, scored a single-game school-record 50 points as Waukee Northwest topped Iowa City Liberty, 101-58.

Council Bluffs Lincoln, Ames, North Scott, Dowling Catholic, Dubuque Senior, Johnston, Linn-Mar, Muscatine, Norwalk, Cedar Rapids Prairie, Des Moines Roosevelt, Urbandale and Waukee all joined them in the next round after winning games at home.

The 1A and 2A substate finals will take place on Saturday, February 28 while the 3A games go down on Monday, March 2.

Here are the Iowa boys high school basketball Class 4A substate finals for Wednesday, March 3.

Wednesday, March 3

Class 4A

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Iowa

The One Game That Will Define Iowa’s 2026 Season

Published

20 hours ago

February 27, 2026

Press Room

The One Game That Will Define Iowa’s 2026 Season

When it comes to the Iowa Hawkeyes 2026 football season, it doesn’t get much bigger than Ohio State coming to Kinnick Stadium.

No one knows at this stage where the Buckeyes will be come Oct. 3, but Iowa has a chance to make an early impression against a team that is no stranger to winning the big one.

Iowa’s B1G schedule couldn’t get off to a worse start as they head to Michigan and then welcome the Buckeyes to Kinnick.

Hopefully for Iowa’s sake, their first three games against Northern Illinois, Iowa State, and Northern Iowa are enough to get them prepared. If not, things could get ugly.

ESPN Believes Ohio State is Iowa’s Biggest Opponent in 2026

The helmet of Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith sits on the sideline prior to the NCAA football game against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Mich. on Nov. 29, 2025. | Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Michigan game will certainly be a test, but hosting the Buckeyes is a different animal. That gives the Hawkeyes an advantage like no other, and if there was ever a time to give OSU a run for their money, it’s in Iowa City on Oct. 3.

“The Hawkeyes haven’t faced Ohio State at Kinnick Stadium since 2017, when Nate Stanley threw five touchdowns as they stunned the Buckeyes 55-24. An early October win over Ohio State could propel Iowa into the Big Ten title and playoff conversations,” Jake Trotter wrote.

To put things into perspective, Indiana and Oregon were the other two teams that had the Buckeyes listed as their defining game in the 2026 season. Shockingly, Iowa was actually selected against a team, that being Minnesota. Seeing as that’s for the Floyd of Rosedale, it makes complete sense.

Iowa Can’t Let Regular Season Opportunities Go To Waste

Iowa Hawkeyes quarterback Jeremy Hecklinski (10) throws a pass during warmups before a college football game against the Penn State Nittany Lions Oct. 18, 2025 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. | Julia Hansen/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Last year was seemingly the Hawkeyes’ first time to actually make the College Football Playoffs. They came up short as their losses to No. 16 Iowa State, No. 11 Indiana, No. 9 Oregon and No. 17 USC all added up. Sure, those were by a combined 15 points, but that doesn’t matter, as it’s bad enough that a three-loss team made the playoffs.

Iowa ended with a bang as they took down No. 14 Vanderbilt in the ReliaQuest Bowl, 34-27. Now, all eyes are on either Jeremy Hecklinski or Hank Brown. One of those men will have a chance to make their first B1G start at the Big House in Michigan.

It doesn’t get any tougher than that, as Iowa is immediately putting their new QB into deep water. They’ll have three games prior to that to get up to speed, but other than that, it’s go time as OSU awaits after their trip to Michigan.

Don’t forget to bookmark Iowa Hawkeyes on SI for the latest news. exclusive interviews, recruiting coverage and more!

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Kee High School remembers legendary coach Gene Schultz

Published

1 day ago

February 27, 2026

Press Room

Kee High School remembers legendary coach Gene Schultz

MANCHESTER, Iowa — The state of Iowa lost a titan of the prep coaching world this week. Former Kee High School baseball coach Gene Schultz died on Monday at the age of 80.

Schultz spent 45 seasons as the baseball coach at Kee, helping turn the program into an Iowa dynasty. He won 9 State championships (not counting 2 fall titles, which the IHSAA doesn’t recognize in the record books), and took the Hawks to 19 State tournaments, which is also the most in Iowa history.

His 1,754 wins are not only the most in Iowa history, but the most of any high school baseball coach in the country.

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