Crossing paths numerous times along the way, the Indianola and Norwalk wrestling teams both enjoyed a high level of success throughout the 2022-2023 campaign.

The season culminated with the State Wrestling Tournament in Des Moines as both schools sent nine qualifiers to the Wells Fargo Arena mats.

Norwalk senior Maddux Borcherding-Johnson capped an undefeated season with the Class 3A state championship at 285 pounds – his fourth consecutive top-four finish at state. Warrior junior Tyler Harper and Indianola senior Bowen Downey also reached the championship finals, both placing second at 106 and 120 pounds, respectively.

Team-wise, the Warriors placed 17th in Class 3A with 69 points and the Indians finished 20th with 44 points.

The road to state featured several showdowns between the two area rivals, including two dual matchups. Indianola won the Little Hawkeye Conference regular season title with a 6-0 record, defeating Norwalk 38-25. The Indians also topped the Warriors in the first round of 3A Regional Duals by a score of 37-22. Norwalk finished 4-2 in Little Hawkeye duals.

Indianola also won the Little Hawkeye Conference Tournament championship with 234 points while Norwalk placed third with 198. The host Warriors, though, claimed the most individual champs with five, while the Indians had three wrestlers place first.

Two weeks later, the same teams returned to Norwalk for their Class 3A District Tournament. Indianola placed second and the Warriors took third, both advancing nine individuals to state.