Iowa’s best wrestlers: Meet the state’s top 195-pounders

Some of the top 195-pounders in Iowa prep wrestling

Waverly-Shell Rock's McCrae Hagarty 

By Dana Becker 

One of the best wrestlers in the state of Iowa dominated 195 pounds last season, as Waverly-Shell Rock’s McCrae Hagarty won the Class 3A state title.

Hagarty, who has committed to Iowa State University, is a two-time champion that went 81-1 during his sophomore and junior seasons.

But Hagarty is far from the only standout listed below, as 2A runner-up Glenwood’s CJ Carter and 3A bronze medalist AJ Petersen of North Scott also competed there last season. 

Here is a look at some of the best 195-pounders in Iowa from last season: 

McCrae Hagarty, Waverly-Shell Rock, senior

The future Iowa State Cyclone has been as dominant a wrestler as the state has to offer, claiming back-to-back championships while winning over 34 matches each season. Hagarty came into this year with a record of 115-7, having also placed fourth at state.

AJ Petersen, North Scott, senior

Petersen successfully navigated the state field last year in 3A to finish third, going 40-11 overall. The year prior as a sophomore, he finished fifth, winning 32 matches.

CJ Carter, Glenwood, senior

A two-time state qualifier, Carter moved from off the podium as a sophomore to the state finals last season, going 51-3 overall in 2A. He won 31 matches two years ago.

CJ Hisler, Webster City, senior

One of the top all-around athletes in 2A, Hisler made his state wrestling debut last winter, placing third with a 31-6 record. He is also a talent on the football field, track and baseball diamond for the Lynx.

Carter Smuck, Winterset, senior

Smuck nearly made it to the state finals last year, settling instead for a fourth-place finish in 2A. He finished the year with a record of 43-9.

Cole Jeffries, Osage, senior

Another piece of the talented Green Devil lineup, Jeffries was a sixth-place medalist last year in 2A, winning 39 matches overall.

Henry Christensen, Ballard, sophomore

Christensen’s freshman campaign ended at the state tournament and on the podium, as the Ballard sensation was eighth in 2A. He finished the season with a record of 32-13.

Jaxson Hildebrand, Denison-Schleswig, senior

A two-time state qualifier in 3A, Hildebrand has won 37 and 34 matches the last two years, but is still in search of his first medal at state.

Ronan Poynton, Iowa City Regina, senior

Another two-time state qualifier in 1A, Poynton improved his win total from 19 as a sophomore to 35 last year.

Chase Wickwire, Belle Plaine, senior

Wickwire qualified for state during his freshman season, going 41-13, but missed out on the podium. He returned to state last year as a junior, going 32-11.

Rudy Papakee, South Tama County, senior

Over the past two seasons, Papakee has won 50 total matches, reaching the state field both seasons.

Joshua Hempsted, Carlisle, senior

After qualifying for state last year with a record of 27-7, Hempsted is in search of both a return and a spot on the podium for a state medal this winter.

Isaac Thacher, Fort Madison, junior

Thacher finished his sophomore season with a strong record of 34-10, qualifying for the 3A state field.

Curtis Erickson, Vinton-Shellsburg, senior

Erickson won 30 matches as a junior for Vinton-Shellsburg and reached the state tournament bracket.

Jayden Allen-Winston, Chariton, senior

Only four times among his 35 matches last year was Allen-Winston bested, as the Chariton wrestler qualified for state.

Brenden Casey, Atlantic, senior

After working his way through the competition to land a state bid last year, Casey will look to build off his 37 wins.

Indy Ferguson, Lisbon, junior

A key figure in the Lisbon lineup, Ferguson won 33 matches as a 10th-grader, culminating in a bid to state.

Ian Blowe, Akron-Westfield, junior

Blowe had a spectacular sophomore season, winning 42 matches against just seven defeats while advancing to the state championships.

Aiden Kathman, Ogden, senior

The Bulldog senior earned himself a spot at state last year in 1A, finishing with a strong record of 34-17 overall.

Isaac Howe, New Hampton/Turkey Valley, senior

Howe found a spot in the New Hampton/Turkey Valley lineup, winning 17 matches while qualifying for state.

Nate Jorgensen, AHSTW, junior

Jorgensen was battle-tested by the time he reached the postseason last year, as he qualified for state with a record of 14-17.