Iowa has a rich history, of producing some of the nations best wrestlers. Year after year this tiny state of just over 3 million, produces some of the best college wrestlers in the country. Have you ever stopped and wondered where all this top tier talent comes from? Well it all starts in Iowa’s super peewee and peewee programs found all over the state. Just about every elementary school in the state has some sort of youth program, and in more recent years elite kids clubs have been popping up all over the state. If that isn’t enough of an explanation, just check out the number of youth tournaments going on all year round within the Hawkeye state. Iowa has a HUGE number of tournaments to choose from, everything from beginner tournaments, to local tournaments, to regional tournaments, and more recently there has been numerous national tournaments popping up all over the state. If that wasn’t enough, there are dual tournaments and regular dual meets as well. If your a rasslin fan, Iowa is a great place to be.
In this article we will take a look at some of Iowa’s most elite kids, anyone between first grade, and sixth grade will be considered. I have done my best to review as many tournaments and results as possible, however I’m sure there will be numerous kids that slip thru the cracks on this list. If you can think of anyone who deserves to be included, just leave me a message and I will be sure to check out your suggestion. I’m breaking this list up into groups based on grade, instead of age. Grouping will be done by 1st/2nd grade, 3rd/4th grade, and 5th/6th grade. This article will focus on the first/ second grade level. These will be listed in no particular order in a top 10 list. In some cases I may be adding an honorable mention section as well. Thanks for reading and enjoy!
First and Second Grade
1 Stone Helmrichs-of Shell Rock: Stone is a 3x state champion, winning AAU titles in both kindergarten and first grade, and also an 8U USA state title at 85 lbs. At USA state, Stone had 5 pins in 5 matches. In AAU state he has pinned 7 out of 8 opponents in the last two years. He also has quality wins over AAU state champion Carver Crippen, as well as Nebraska state champion Kayden Fox. Stone also regularly competes in national tournaments around the Midwest, and always reaches all-american status.
2 Karson Ellenberg-of Stockton: Karson is a second grader, who already has 2 state titles and a total of 4 state medals. He recently competed in the very tough Hammerin Hawks Christmas Classic, claiming first place and scoring 3 pins on his way to the title. Karson has quality wins over former state champion Beckett Rust and state runner-up Crew Shedek.
3 Carter Mason-of Polk City: Carter is a rare 5x state champion, winning 3 AAU state titles and 2 USA state titles. If that wasn’t enough, Carter is also a 5x all-american, as well as a 2019 Christmas National Champion. He has quality wins over Triple Crown winner Hunter Marx of South Dakota, as well as AAU state champion Cash Brock, as well as an 8-0 win over 2x state champion Karson Ellenberg. At the rate he is going, he has a chance to break a couple super peewee records!
4 John Thomas-of Boone: John has already earned 3 state titles, 2 AAU, and 1 USA title, as well as a 2nd place state medal to hang in his collection. He is also a 3x all-american, and has won national titles at Corn Cob Nationals, and Iron Elite Nationals. John has quality wins over Illinois state champion Liam Lane, and 3x Iowa state champion Stone Helmrichs, whom he defeated by a score of 10-0.
5 Ely Groom-of New Sharon: Ely doesn’t have the most impressive record on this list, but that’s because he continually wrestles up. It’s not uncommon to see Ely enter tournaments in the 1st/2nd division as well as the 3rd/4th division, and more often than not he holds his own against the older boys. Ely won his first state title last year as a first grader, but he’s also finished 3rd, 2nd, and 2nd, at three otherIowa state tournaments. Ely has a quality win over Minnesota state champion Luke Bartholomaus.
6 Rush Creason-of Indianola: Rush is a perfect 10-0 at the Iowa state tournament winning titles in kindergarten and first grade! Along the way he has wins over state champions Ely Groom, Cash Brock, and Everett Murtha. Perhaps his biggest win came against 3rd grader Jaden Matthaidess, who also happens to be a former state champion. Rush doesn’t have any national tournament experience, that I can find, but solid wins over 4 different state champions speaks volumes on this kids ability.
7 Louis Taylor-of Fort Dodge: Louis is a 2x AAU state champion, as well as a 3rd place finisher at USA state. He has quality wins over Minnesota state champion Nash Jirele and girls state champion Kona Hughs, but his biggest win came against 5x national champion and 2x state champion, Crew Mohler. Louis has his share of national experience as well. He is a 3x all american, and even claimed a national title at the tough Iron Elite Nationals.
8 Crew Mohler-of Ankeny: Crew is one of the busiest wrestlers on this list with close to 100 matches under his belt before hitting first grade. Crew is also one of the youngest wrestlers on this list. Besides being young, he is also a 2x state champion, and a 5x national champion. One thing that really sticks out about Crew is the fact that he is always seeking out the toughest competition he can find. His resume includes competing at the King of the Mac, Legends of Gold Clash, Sparty, Strikezone, and several other of the Midwest’s most elite tournaments, and more often than not, he leaves with gold.
9 Everett Murtha-of West Des Moines: Everett is another kid that seems to seek out the toughest competition he can find. With that said he has really been on a roll as of late, winning 4 of the Midwest’s toughest tournaments all back to back to back to back. It started with the Iron Elite Nationals, than it was the always tough King of the Mac, than he won his first state title defeating the very tough Crew Shedek in the finals, and two weeks later he won Corn Cob Nationals. Along the way he even scored a win over Missouri state champion Ira Samm.
10 Auben Sweeting-of Riverside: Auben is a second grader and has 5 total state titles! That alone is amazing. Another thing that really stood out is the fact that Auben likes the pin. In 21 matches at state Auben won by pinfall 17x. That is an impressive level of dominance. Auben is also a 6x All- American. Auben has quality wins over 2x Missouri state champion Annabelle Medina, as well as 3x Florida state champion John Petrovcik.
So there you have it, here is my list of the 10 best first and second graders in the state of Iowa. If I missed anyone, please let me know in the comments.