The first day of the 2024 Iowa High School Boys Wrestling Tournament is in the history books, as 44 wrestlers from the KNIA/KRLS listening area took the mats on Wednesday. 

In the first session of the day, Knoxville’s Daniel Gorskikh and PCM’s Tucker Wheeler went a combined 3-0 and advanced to the quarterfinals in the Class 2A field. Gorskikh, who needed overtime to advance to the top eight in the Class 2A 175 lbs. division, said that his growth in maturity helped him move on in the tournament.

“I remember last year I used to get upset that it would be a close match between a kid I should have whooped, but now that I realized they watch film on me and they know what I’m doing, it’s just adjusting. And tomorrow I’ve got to find some new ways to take down kids, it can’t be the same thing that they know is coming.”

Wednesday’s second session saw six area wrestlers advance to the quarterfinal round. Pella’s Jackson Van Kley, Indianola’s Mac Crosson, Elijah Blewitt, Jake Pontier, and Dax Clatt, and Norwalk’s Tyler Harper advanced to the top eight of their respective weight classes. 

In the Class 1A session to wrap up Wednesday’s action, Pleasantville’s Tommy Booth, Caleb Cook, Zane Mullenix, and Carter Metcalf went a combined 8-0 on the day and qualified for the quarterfinals. Cook, who advanced to the quarterfinals for the first time in his third trip to state, said that it was a great feeling to finally reach the top eight.

“I’ve been working the past two years to try and get that win and couldn’t get it done. I’ve wrestled him (Dylan Stein of Lenox) twice before and lost by one both matches, so it just feels amazing to finally get it done.”

Stay tuned to KNIA/KRLS today for updates from the 2024 Iowa High School Boys Wrestling Tournament. Find full area results here.