The 101st edition of the Iowa state high school tournament kicks off Thursday night at the Casey’s Center in Des Moines, where 1,008 wrestlers will vie for podium spots and 42 individual titles across three classifications. Here’s a look at eight potential matches to watch this week in Des Moines. 

Class 1A 113 pounds: Kaiden Belinsky (Don Bosco) vs. Ian Maize (WACO) 

These two squared off in the state finals last year at 106 with Belinsky winning in overtime. They’re on opposite sides of the bracket again this year and could stage a rematch with another title on the line. Belinsky is 38-4 this season, while Maize is 35-3. Both are undefeated against 1A competition this season. 

Class 1A 157 pounds: Boston Peters (Westwood of Sloan) vs. Teague Smith of (West Hancock) 

Another terrific possible title match. Peters is a sophomore who placed third last year. He’s 38-0 this season and his only high school loss came last year in the semifinals against eventual champion Boden White of Denver. Smith is a senior who reached the state semifinals last year at 150 but suffered an injury and had to forfeit his finals two matches, finishing sixth. He was a state runner-up as a freshman and sophomore in 2023 and 2024 at 120 and 138. 

Class 2A 113 pounds: Kohen Dietzenbach (Burlington Notre Dame) vs. Coy Mehlert (Union of LaPorte City)

Friday’s semifinal session could be filled with fireworks, including this potential battle between returning state medalists. Dietzenbach is 36-0 on the season after placing sixth last year at 106 as a freshman. Mehlert is 44-3 this season after placing third at 106 a year ago when he notched a technical fall victory against Dietzenbach in the consolation semifinals. Dietzenbach won a rematch this season in the finals of the Cascade Invite.  

Class 2A 120 pounds: Urijah Courter (West Marshall) vs. Simon Bettis (Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont) 

These two tangled last year for the 113-pound title with Courter emerging with a 10-7 victory. They’ve both moved up a weight this season and find themselves on the same side of the bracket in Des Moines, setting up a potential rematch in Friday’s semifinals with another returning state champ — Van Meter’s Dylan Williamson — looming on the other side of the bracket. Courter notched another win over Bettis earlier this season, claiming a 6-5 victory in the finals of the Mount Vernon Invite.  

Class 2A 165 pounds: Jacob McGargill (Shenandoah) vs. Boden White (Denver) 

A possible showdown between undefeated seniors who reached the state finals a year ago. McGargill was a runner-up last year at 165. White took home the title at 157. If they meet on the championship side of the bracket in Des Moines, it’ll be in Saturday night’s finals.  

Class 3A 126 pounds: Eddie Woody (Southeast Polk) vs. Alexander Pierce (Iowa City West) 

Woody is a sophomore who won the 3A title last year at 106. He’s undefeated for his career against Iowa high school competition. Pierce, a senior, won a state title as a freshman before registering runner-up finishes each of the last two years. These two could collide in Saturday night’s finals. 

Class 3A 138 pounds: Nico DeSalvo (Southeast Polk) vs. Cody Trevino (Bettendorf) 

DeSalvo is a junior with two state titles on his resume. Trevino has placed fourth, third and third in his three trips to the state tournament. DeSalvo defeated Trevino 6-5 in one of the best bouts of the Iowa high school regular season. A rematch could happen Saturday night in the finals. 

Class 3A 175 pounds: Jaxon Miller (Carlisle) vs. Maximus Dhabolt (Ankeny Centennial)

This is a potential state title bout between nationally ranked returning state champions. Miller is a senior who’s medaled three times, reached the finals twice and won a state title last year. Dhabolt is a junior who’s placed twice and won a title last year. Miller defeated Dhabolt 4-2 in January in the finals of the Ed Winger Classic.