A look at Saturday’s Class 3A Iowa high school boys’ state wrestling finals. A district loss was the perfect motivator for Iowa City High’s Cale Seaton to return to form. A state championship form.
The work and dedication since a disappointing 2023 finish have paid dividends for Iowa City West’s Justin Avila. Fourth-ranked Avila defeated Ankeny Centennial’s Lucas Bruhl, avenging a loss in last season’s state quarterfinals and capturing the 150-pound title at the Class 3A district meet Saturday at Cedar Rapids Prairie. He was one of three West champions and eight state qualifiers.
Cedar Rapids Washington junior 190-pounder Wyatt Young is pursuing a return trip to the state tournament, qualifying last season at 170. He recorded a pin against Cedar Rapids Kennedy on Thursday night, but the host Cougars dominated the dual, 63-11.
Cedar Rapids Kennedy’s Colin Falck didn’t like finishing second at a previous tournament. He took it out on the field Monday, pinning his way to the 165-pound title of the J-Hawk Invitational at Cedar Rapids Jefferson.
Cedar Rapids Kennedy’s Cael Smithhart has dealt with adversity, battling major hip injuries the last two years. He showed his resolve, yet again, overcoming an excessively bleeding nose to record a fall in the Cougars’ 43-24 loss to North Scott.