The KNIA-KRLS countdown of Norwalk’s top 10 sports stories from the past school year has reached the No. 1 spot: a state wrestling championship for Tyler Harper. The Warrior senior capped an undefeated season on February 17 by winning the Class 3A 113-pound state title inside Wells Fargo Arena.

In doing so, Harper avenged top-ranked Alexander Pierce of Iowa City West in the championship final. One year earlier, Pierce topped Harper 10-7 for the 106-pound state title. In the rematch, Harper took control during the final two periods and earned a 10-4 victory to finish 40-0 on the season.

Harper told KNIA-KRLS Sports that it was an incredible feeling to beat Pierce and end his prep career at the top of the medal podium. “It’s awesome. Starting [out my] first two years not qualifying [for state] to second [last year]. That was cool, but this is way above it. This is so awesome,” Harper said. “I felt (Pierce’s) head drop, caught that cradle. I knew his gas tank wasn’t good, so I capitalized on it. I pushed the pace, got my lead, so I could kind of ride out (those) last couple seconds.”

Prior to the state finals, Harper recorded two first-period pins at the state meet and also scored a 13-6 victory in the quarterfinal round. Norwalk has now claimed a state wrestling champion in back-to-back years after Maddux Borcherding-Johnson won the 3A heavyweight title in 2023.

Harper’s senior season was borderline flawless as he did not allow a single takedown until the state tournament. He finished his Norwalk career as a two-time state finalist with 107 wins and a school-record 71 pins. He was also a three-time freestyle All-American at Fargo Nationals.

Norwalk wrestling coach Jacob Brown jokes that Harper has also eaten the most oatmeal in Norwalk history. He credits Harper’s success to a tremendous combination of physical tools and being a student of the sport.

Harper will continue his wrestling and academic career at NCAA Division I Arkansas-Little Rock starting this fall.