Iowa’s best high school wrestlers: Meet the state’s top 170-pounders

Some of the top 170-pound wrestlers in Iowa prep wrestling

Last year, Maximus Magayna cemented his place in history by claiming a third state championship at 170 pounds. Now, he chases even more at a new school. 

Maganya transferred from Waterloo Columbus, a Class 1A school, to Waterloo East, which competes at 3A. He entered his final prep season with a record of 139-4, with three of the losses coming as a sophomore.

There are a handful of others who found a place on the podium back this year, including Emmetsburg’s Jace Nelson-Brown, who lost to Maganya in the finals.

Here is a look at some of the top 170-pound wrestlers in Iowa: 

Maximus Magayna won three state titles at Waterloo Columbus but has transferred to Waterloo East this year. (Photo by Matthew Putney)

Maximus Magayna, Waterloo East, senior

A North Dakota State University commit, Maganya is chasing down his fourth state title this winter at a new school. He won three titles at Waterloo Columbus in Class 1A and is now at 3A’s Waterloo East.

Jace Nelson-Brown, Emmetsburg, senior

With Maganya shifting to a new program, that leaves Nelson-Brown as one of the favorites in 1A. The E-Hawk senior reached the title match a year ago after placing sixth as a sophomore.

Brent Slade, Southeast Polk, senior

Slade is a two-time medalist coming into his final season. He was third last year for the Rams, going 44-5, while also placing seventh as a freshman competing for Ames.

Hesston Johnson, Roland-Story, senior

In his state debut for the Norsemen, Johnson secured a fourth place finish in 2A, going 21-6 on the year.

Zayvion Ellington, Sergeant Bluff-Luton, junior

A year after qualifying as a freshman for state with a 37-11 mark, Ellington hit the 50-win total while securing his first medal as a sophomore, finishing fifth in 2A with a 53-12 record.

Austin Scranton, Anamosa, junior

Scranton made the most of a strong sophomore campaign, going 48-5 overall while taking home sixth at state in 2A.

Ryan Stiles, Earlham, senior

Now a senior, Stiles looks to build off his sixth place medal from a season ago in 1A when he went 36-8. He also reached state as a sophomore, winning 32 matches.

Cal Hartman, Fort Dodge, senior

Another key piece to the Dodger quest for a team trophy, Hartman also had individual success as a junior. He placed seventh last year, going 40-13 overall.

Jackson Van Kley, Pella, senior

A two-time qualifier, Van Kley found a spot on the podium in 2A last year, placing eighth with a record of 42-10. Two years ago, he finished 34-15 and at state.

Clay Saak, AP-GC, senior

Another returning medalist, Saak finished with 42 wins as a junior and a medal around his neck.

Callyn Bishop, Baxter, senior

Bishop has one more chance to score a medal after qualifying the last two seasons for state. Over that time, he owns 61 wins.

Drew Burds, Western Dubuque, junior

Burds earned his way to the state tournament as just a sophomore, winning 40 matches along the way. Now, he will try to get back to Wells Fargo Arena.

Zander Wedemeier, Waverly-Shell Rock, junior

Wedemeier was part of the large group of Go-Hawks who reached the 3A state tournament. Even though he didn’t place, he won 27 matches during his sophomore campaign.

Jace Fullhart, Spencer, senior

Another returning qualifier, Fullhart made it to Des Moines and won 26 matches.

Wyatt Young, Cedar Rapids Washington, junior

A 30-win season as a sophomore included a trip to state for Young, as he looks to build on that this season.

Asa Hemsted, Carlisle, junior

Hemsted put himself on the map as an underclassman, finishing 41-7 with an appearance at state.

Teague Smith, Fort Madison, senior

Smith finished 34-5 last year and reached state, but he was unable to put a run together that landed him on the podium.

Jayden Dickerson, Shenandoah, junior

Dickerson’s sophomore season included 43 wins, 55 total matches and the chance to wrestle at Wells Fargo Arena and the state tournament.

Matthias Kohl, Lisbon, senior

For his junior season, Kohl qualified for state and won 42 matches.

Owen Hoover, CAM, senior

Another returning state qualifier with a 40-win season under his belt, Hoover looks to earn his first state medal as a senior.

Titus Evans, Nashua-Plainfield, senior

Evans found plenty of success on the mat during his junior season, going 30-8 and reaching state.

Max Dalton, Woodward-Granger, junior

Dalton got on a roll late in the year, qualifying for state as a sophomore with a record of 18-12.