State wrestling is a highly important competition in the United States, specifically designed for high school and college wrestlers. The state's sports authorities closely monitor this tournament, which provides a valuable opportunity for the most skilled wrestlers from different schools or colleges to compete against each other. Let’s take a closer look at 4A wrestling championships in different US states.
In February this year, Ben Kueter, a senior from Iowa City High, made history by becoming the 32nd wrestler to win four individual state titles in the 96-year history of the Iowa high school state wrestling championships. Prior to his latest victory, Kueter had already secured titles in 2020 at 160 pounds, in 2021 at 195 pounds, and the previous year at 220 pounds.
Here are the next five most recent 4-time state wrestling champions of Iowa:
Fousek won four titles in Class 2A at different weight categories: 106, 113, 126, and 138 pounds. This made him the first wrestler in the prestigious Crestwood/Cresco wrestling program to earn this achievement.
Lopez made history in New London by becoming the first person to win the state championship four times. He achieved this remarkable feat in different weight categories, including 106, 113, 120, and 126 pounds in Class 1A. New London has a total of 11 individual state wrestling titles, and Lopez has contributed four of them.
Happel, following in the footsteps of his older brother Carter, became a four-time state champion in 2020 and joined the ranks of only 27 other Iowan athletes. Collectively, Happel and his family have an impressive total of 11 state titles. Both Carter and Cael have earned four titles each, while their father, Dean, secured three titles between 1982 and 1984.
Thomsen won 190 matches and became Underwood's first wrestler to win four state championships. He only lost one match to Brody Teske from Fort Dodge, who also won four state championships.
Teske had an impressive record of 177 wins and only 1 loss, making him the first person from Fort Dodge to become a four-time state champion. The only person who defeated him was Alex Thomsen from Underwood, who also achieved the title of four-time state champion with just one loss, which happened to be against Teske.
This year, the Maize boys’ wrestling team made history by winning their first-ever team state championship at the Kansas high school state meet in February. They were crowned the Class 5A champions at Hartman Arena.
The Maize team had always faced obstacles that prevented them from winning a state championship. However, for the first time ever, everything fell into place, and Maize finally fulfilled their potential by winning the Class 5A team trophy at the Kansas high school state wrestling tournament at Hartman Arena in Park City. Maize had 11 wrestlers participating, and 10 of them finished the tournament as state medalists.Â
Connor Russo, a senior at Stanhope Elmore High School, got revenge for his only loss of the 2023 high school wrestling season in Alabama. This happened during the 2023 AHSAA State Wrestling Championships, which took place at Huntsville's Von Braun Center.
The Mustangs wrestler faced Aiden Knight, who had beaten him last week in the Class 6A Super Sectional finals. However, Russo won 3-2 and finished the season with a record of 38-1. He also won the Class 6A 170-pound weight class state title and gave Knight his only loss of the season.
In the end, Vestavia Hills won the 7A title with 210 points, while Jasper, coached by Tripp Otis, took home the 5A title with 116.5 points. Weaver, under the guidance of Andy Fulmer, secured the 1A/4A state championship with 105 points, narrowly defeating Dora by four points.
The state wrestling championship is the most important competition for high school and college wrestlers in the United States. The tournament lasts for several days, and wrestlers compete in their weight classes to become the state champion.Â
