Scary situation at Iowa high school state wrestling championships

Quarterfinal round showdown ends early when wrestler injured

Dylan Munson suffered a serious injury Thursday during the Class 3A quarterfinals. / Margaret Kispert/The Register / USA TODAY NETWORK

A hush fell over the crowd inside Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines Thursday during a showdown in Class 3A at the Iowa high school state wrestling championships.

Dylan Munson of Cedar Rapids Prairie and Weston Porter from Lewis Central were squaring off in a 113-pound contest for a spot in the semifinals. The showdown was much-anticipated between the two. 

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Unfortunately, nobody was able to see the kind of end result they wanted after Porter used an illegal slam that left Munson out on the mat. Porter, a sophomore, had scored a takedown and was in looking for another when he dropped Munson on his head.

Munson, a senior, laid on the mat for several moments as medical professionals tended to him. A backboard was brought out and Munson was placed in a neck brace, according to reporter KJ Pilcher of the Cedar Rapids Gazette.

Porter (Lewis Central) with the opening takedown against Munson (Prairie) and in on a single again. Has Munson elevated and then dumps Munson on his head with a thud. Illegal slam and Munson is being tended too.

— K.J. Pilcher (@kjpilcher) February 20, 2025

The crowd rose in applause for Munson, who offered a thumbs up. He was awarded the win via disqualification, advancing to the semifinals and a matchup with Iowa City West’s Alexander Pierce. 

Munson will place in the Top 6 but his return status to the tournament is unknown at this point. He also placed sixth last year at state and was seventh the season before.

Porter was a state runner-up last year at 106 pounds as a freshman.