Iowa Wrestling recruits looked very good this weekend with all winning state titles. Jacob Warner of Washington, IL won his third state title in dominating fashion with three falls and a tech fall. Warner is the number one rated wrestler in the country at 195 lbs. Aaron Costello pinned all four of his opponents in winning his first Iowa high school state title at Hwt. Costello was especially impressive with a throw for a fall in the finals in 2:19. For the year, Costello was 50-0 with forty-two pins including pinning his way through Districts and State.
I was impressed with Zach Axmear winning his first state title at 152 lbs. The matches were not as close as the scores may indicate in the semifinals and finals. Axmear is very good on his feet and he looks to have the physicality for D-I college wrestling. Myles Wilson made quick work of his opponents getting to the finals with a fall in :18. :43, and 2:26 before pitching a shutout in the state finals with a 10-0 major decision to win his second Colorado high school state title. I look for Wilson to gain more national attention on the freestyle circuit this summer.
I also followed Nelson Brands, a junior, even though he is not a committed recruit. If you are an Iowa wrestling fan, then you want to know how the son of Terry Brands is doing. Nelson actually looked better than advertised to me. What a future he has in front of him.
Warner, Costello, Axmear, and Wilson are all apart of the outstanding Iowa Wrestling recruiting class of 2017 along with Spencer Lee and Max Murin. For updated information on Max Murin and Gavin Teasdale (Recruiting Class of 2018) at Districts as well as the upcoming tournament schedule for Lee, Murin, and Teasdale, check out my blog at: https://iowawrestlingblog.com/2017/02/iowa-wrestling-recruits-murin-and-teasdale-win-districts/
I will be providing updates for Lee, Murin and Teasdale in the qualifying tournaments and their State tournament in Pennsylvania on March 9, 10, and 11.
I am looking forward to following all of the Iowa Wrestling recruits on the freestyle circuit this spring and summer.
With what Iowa Wrestling already has in the room and with these recruits on the way, the future looks great.
Iowa High School State Tournament:
Aaron Costello, Western Dubuque wins by fall over Levi Brand, SEP (2:47)
Quarterfinals: Aaron Costello WD wins by fall over #9 Tyler Clark, Clinton (5:04)
Semi-finals: Aaron Costello, WD wins by fall over Callan Tomlin, Osky (5:35)
3A Hwt. State finals: Aaron Costello, WD fall over Eagan Lickiss, Ind (2:19)
Nelson Brands, IC West tech fall over Elliot Pohlmeyer, Johnston, 28-13 (3:07)
Quarterfinals: Nelson Brands, IC West wins by fall over Shawn Brown DML (3:18)
Semi-finals: Nelson Brands IC West dec over Austin Yant WSR, 8-6
3A 152 lbs. State finals: Nelson Brands, IC West dec Cayd Lara Ft D 11-9
Zach Axmear, English Valleys Maj Dec over Ted Hilgerson, Central Elkader, 11-1
Quarterfinals Zach Axmear Maj Dec over Drew Anderson, Westwood, 11-3
Semi-finals Zach Axmear, EV dec over Skyler Solko, Alta 10-6
1A 152 lbs. State finals: Zach Axmear, EV dec Brennan Swafford, Mepo 7-4
Illinois High School State Tournament
Jacob Warner, Washington won by fall over Angel Flores, Grayslake North (1:47)
Quarterfinals: Jacob Warner, Washington won by fall over Hunter Crumly, Chatham, (O:45)
Semi-finals: Jacob Warner, Washington fall over Jacob Kaminski, Oak Park(Fenwick) (1:07)
2A 195 lbs. State finals: Jacob Warner, Washington tech fall over Hunter Crowley, Mahomet 22-7 (5:26)
Colorado High School State Tournament
Myles Wilson, Glenwood Springs won by a fall over Joey Garcia, Mead (0:18)
Quarterfinals: Myles Wilson, Glenwood Springs fall over Jayden Smith, Vipe (0:43)
Semi-finals: Myles Wilson, GS fall over Dylan Mcbride FTMO (2:26)
4A 182 lbs. State Finals: Myles Wilson, GS won by major decision Dante Garcia, Puco , 10-0
