City High wrestling is coming off a successful season, winning the MVC and placing multiple wrestlers on the state podium, along with sending nine wrestlers in total to state. This season, the team will look pretty similar, with only three wrestlers graduating. One notable loss is Donovan Gipson ‘26, a state qualifier who transferred to Liberty in the offseason. The team has three wrestlers coming into this season ranked. Raphael Etuma ‘26 is currently ranked third, behind Fargo Champion DreShaun Ross ‘26 of Fort Dodge.
Kane Willey ‘26 and Blaine Heick ‘26 are both ranked tenth in the preseason rankings (Willey Heavyweight, Heick 190). The underclassmen on the team are also proving to make a splash, with Jack Litton ‘28 being ranked eleventh (106) and Chase Williams ‘28 qualifying for state his freshman year (126). However, a significant loss comes with Marshall Sheldon ‘28, who qualified for state his freshman year, yet will miss this season due to a hand injury he sustained in football.
The team went undefeated in dual tournaments last season, with a record of 7-0, yet did not end up qualifying for the team state tournament.
“I want to place at state this year and work on my conditioning. I’m looking forward to wrestling in the Ames tournament this season; we get to stay at a hotel and there’s always good competition,” Heick said.
Chris Davis also looks to continue to make an impact this season. Davis, two-time state qualifier and four year varsity veteran of the troupe, will be moving up a weight class this season to 144 pounds. Last year, Davis wrestled at 132 pounds. Although he has the most experience on the team, moving up a weight class may prove to be difficult.
“I’ve gotten bigger, stronger, and I feel like my confidence will grow throughout the season with all the practices, meets, and tournaments. Last year I was definitely not as strong, but I know I can keep up with the guys in this class,” Davis said.
The team also obtained transfer Malachi Clement ‘27 from Clear Creek Amana. Clement made state his sophomore year and looks to do the same with his first season on the Little Hawks.
The teams first competition is against Waterloo West on December 4th. Then on Friday and Saturday they will take wrestlers to the annual Dan Gable Donnybrook Tournament.
“My biggest goal is to place in the top five at the state tournament. A more personal goal is to beat the Fort Dodge heavyweight who teched me in the Ames tournament last year,” Willey said.
Although not every wrestler on the City High squad, there are some pivotal roles to score points in dual tournaments. Jude Seebeck ‘26 and Breckin Morrison ‘27 will have key roles to play for the teams score in dual meets.
“What’s different from this season is I’m going into this season with nothing to lose. I’m going into the season wrestling loose, my end goal is to place at state,” Seebeck, returning varsity wrestler in the 157 weight class said.
Most importantly, head Coach Cory Connell is returning in his twelfth year as the head coach of the city high wrestling team. Throughout his career, he has helped lead countless wrestlers to individual state championships. This season, he looks to bring the team a state championship
