Every year towards the end of October some of the best wrestlers in the country migrate to Des Moines Iowa to take part in the annual Brain Keck Memorial Preseason Nationals. This is one of the toughest tournaments around and is open for all ages first grade through high school, for both male and female grapplers. Well this year’s tournament was a huge success with competitors traveling from 17 different states to showcase their skills. This prestigious tournament drew over 3,000 young wrestlers to Des Moines Hy Vee Hall over this 4 day event. With that many wrestlers ,it may be hard to stand out above the rest. However, one wrestler managed to do just that. Stone Helmrichs of Waverly Iowa had an outstanding tournament, claiming the championship of the 4th grade division at 105 lbs. What makes this achievement even more remarkable, is the fact that he went thru the entire tournament without surrendering a single point. Its this level of dominance that makes Stone Helmrichs, this weeks Iowa Matmen Wrestler Of The Week.

During Stones first match, he faced Wisconsin state champion, Drake Vrable. Stone won that match by pinfall in just :39 seconds. In the semifinals he faced one of Iowa’s best youth wrestlers, Everett Murtha is a 3x state champion and 6x all-american. Stone won this match 6-0. In the finals he faced a very tough Joseph Englese, from Illinois. Englese is a 4x state champion who had pinned his way into the finals. Once again Stone won 6-0, securing the National Championship!

Stone Helmrichs is an absolute bruiser, a 15X All American who has swept through all tournaments that Iowa has to offer. Getting his start with Back 2 Basics Club in Shell Rock, Iowa under Bill Thompson, who Stone spoke highly of. Currently training at Immortal Athletics Wrestling Club, in Waterloo, We want to bring him back down to earth and note that training and constant improvement will keep pride from becoming a weakness BUT this kid is beginning to separate himself from everyone else. In our interview he had a lot of respect for his rival in Everett Murtha, but mentioned, “I got my payback”. He had other big wins earlier this year, completing a rivalry with Braxton Drew from Empire Academy at the Belle Plaine Freestyle Tournament in a three round bout beating him twice by tech, taking a gold medal there. Also winning the Rumble Individuals in Sandusky, Ohio over Braxton Sholler, Helmrichs has quite an impressive resume. We asked him what his eyes were set on next, he responded with a deep desire to take first at Iowa AAU State Championships and Tulsa Nationals where he continually finishes better year after year. Big things are in store for Stone Helmrichs, a multi-dimensional and multi-sport powerhouse prevailing over a ton of high level competition, we are excited to continue the journey with him and hope to see him in Black and Gold one day.

More About Stone:

Year in school? 4th Grade.

What inspired you to start wrestling? What inspired me to start wrestling was just starting with Coach Bill, my first coach as four year old, and it was like really fun, just like throwing people around and stuff and taking them down and it was really fun just being physical.

How long have you wrestled? I started at 4, so 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. So six years.

Most significant wrestling moment? Probably my first Eagle at Tulsa Nationals. I got second place at kickoff.

What’s your Strategy? I go to a wrist under hook and then down, drop down single.

Record this season? 64 – 19

How many state medals have you won over the length of your career? won 3  AAU State Titles and 2 USA State Titles, and lots of medals.

Plan to wrestle in College? If so for who? Yes, at Iowa

Favorite Coach? Coach Cruz at Immortal Athletics. I know that I can come to him and he’ll know like what the answer for me is.

Other Sports? I do swimming, football, and baseball.

Favorite food? Pork Chops

Favorite Athlete? McCray, Haggerty or Bo Bassett, I even had a picture with Bo at the tyrant duels in Philadelphia.

Goals? To win Tulsa Nationals kickoff and the one in January. Nationals and then AAU State.