Prep Boys’ Wrestling- The Southeast Conference (SEC) sent ten wrestlers to the 2026 Iowa High School Athletic Association’s (IHSAA) State Tournament with a pair getting on the podium. Here’s a look the All-Conference lists for the SEC.
Wrestler of the Year
In an interesting twist, it was not a First Team member who earned Wrestler of the Year. Instead, it was senior Dain Burkhart of Fairfield who got the nod, despite being named Second Team honors for the 175-pound weight class.
The reason for the choice resides on how Burkhart finished the season. The Trojan claimed a 34-6 record for the season and went on a tear at the state tournament, rallying for a 4-1 record and the bronze medal after defeating Caysen Curran of Mt. Vernon by a 9-8 overtime victory.
Fairfield
Not only did the Wrestler of the Year help the Trojans end the year tied for first in the conference, but so did the other five All-Conference members. Cael McCabe, a senior, was the lone First Team member for Fairfield. McCabe collected a 17-2 record for the year and qualified for the state tournament but could not participate due to injury.
Joining Burkhart on the Second Team was Noah Patel (106-pound weight class), Jasper Carpenter (132-pound weight class), Dusty Haynes (150-pound weight class), and Calvin McClain (165-pound weight class). Patel and Carpenter were the only other wrestlers to finish the year with a winning record.
Fort Madison
The Bloodhounds finished tied for 1st place in the SEC with a 4-1 record behind five First Team members: James Fuller (126-pound weight class), Ryker Peters (150-pound weight class), Jack Benner (165-pound weight class), Ren Watson (215-pound weight class), and Baylor Ferreira (285-pound weight class). Fuller, Watson, and Ferreira each attended the state tournament.
Mt. Pleasant
Mt. Pleasant claimed a 3-2 record against the conference to finish tied for 3rd place. The Panthers were led by sophomore Levi Evans, as he claimed a 29-5 record and First Team honors for the 120-pound weight class. Evans was the first Panther to earn a trip to the state tournament since 2020 and battled out in eight matches for a 6-2 record for 4th place.
Mt. Pleasant added three seniors on the Second Team in Lane Beckler (23-10) for the 126-pound weight class, Ramzy Davis (22-10) in the 157-pound weight class, and Juan Lopez (16-15) for the 285-pound weight class.
Washington
Washington tied for third place in the conference with a 3-2 record, resulting in three Demons making the First Team and two finding a spot on the Second Team.
In the 138-pound weight class, Caden Greiner earned First Team status with a 42-5 record along with a 4th place finish at the state tournament after going 4-2 in Des Moines. Jace Kinzenbaw made the First Team for the 157-pound weight class as the freshman punched his ticket to state on his way to a 15-7 record.
Lastly, Blaine Rees took home First Team honors for the 190-pound weight class. The junior rattled off a 39-8 record and claimed a 3-2 record at the state tournament.
The Second Team placed Joseph Schreiber for the 113-pound weight class and Brayden Vernillion for the 215-pound weight class for the Demons. Vernillion made the state tournament and went 15-12 for the year.
Burlington
The Grayhounds finished in fifth place for the conference with a 1-4 record. Leading the Grayhounds was one of their three state qualifiers in Adrian Perez-Hall for the 175-pound weight class. Perez-Hall had an impressive senior year, going 31-2 for the season, which included a trip to Des Moines for the state tournament.
Brody Bolander was named All-SEC Second Team for the 120-pound weight class. Bolander finished the year with a 16-11 record. Roy Brown made the Second Team for the 138-pound weight class, while Jax Rohrer claimed a spot for the 144-pound weight class. Brown made the state tournament as did Owen Difederico, but in a crowded 190-pound weight class he was left off the list.
Keokuk
The Chiefs finished the year 0-5 in the conference and put two on the All-SEC lists. On the First Team, Xavier Nelson etched his name down for the 144-pound weight class. The senior claimed a 27-19 record for the season.
Taking home a spot on the Second Team was Jarod Anderson for the 190-pound weight class. Anderson managed a 24-11 record for the season, as he finished with a 1-2 record at the state tournament.