Many other conferences in the state can make the argument that their league is the 
toughest if they would like, but it's hard to imagine a more brutal conference tournament 
year-in and year-out than the Mississippi Valley Conference.

Thirty-four ranked Class 3A wrestlers, including half of the top-ranked individuals, will 
be among those battling in Eastern Iowa at Dubuque Hempstead for perhaps the most 
prestigious league title in Iowa.

If the CIML in the central part of the state put all 18 of their teams together for a 
one-day tournament, they might have an argument. But they split off into three 
divisions and have separate tournaments on three different days.

Not only does the MVC boast 34 ranked individuals and several others who could 
be in the top 10 at their weight classes, there are also four of The Predicament's Top 10 
State Tournament Teams in attendance.

Second-ranked Iowa City West will be the team to beat in Dubuque, but they will 
have to fight off No. 4 Iowa City High, eighth-ranked Cedar Rapids Kennedy and 
No. 9 Waterloo West. Cedar Rapids Prairie has some outstanding individuals, but 
may not have the overall team strength to fight past any of those ranked squads.

For those of you not familiar with the MVC, members of the league (with # of ranked 
wrestlers in parentheses) are: Cedar Falls (1), Cedar Rapids Jefferson (2), Cedar 
Rapids Kennedy (3), Cedar Rapids Prairie (4), Cedar Rapids Washington (1), Cedar 
Rapids Xavier (0), Dubuque Hempstead (3), Dubuque Senior (1), Dubuque Wahlert (1), 
Iowa City West (5), Iowa City High (5), Linn-Mar (2), Waterloo East (1) and Waterloo 
West (5).

Here is a weight-by-weight breakdown of the tournament.

103
This weight has been dominated by freshman Nate Moore of Iowa City West all season 
and it should be no different on Saturday. The rookie is undefeated and has barely been 
tested by anyone. Second-place honors could go to seventh-ranked senior Tony Olson of 
Cedar rapids Jefferson, but other wrestlers to watch are sophomore Cruse Aarhus of 
Cedar Rapids Kennedy and another tough freshman, Matt McDonough of Linn-Mar.

112
Iowa City West brings another clear favorite to the dance at 112, in third-ranked Kody Pudil. 
The Trojan junior could be meeting No. 7 Aaron Sturtz of Cedar Rapids Prairie in the title 
bout, but watch out for talented freshman Colton Smith of Iowa City High, who has been 
up and down this season. When he's on his game, he's a danger to just about anyone.

119
Two-time State runner-up Matt Kelly of Dubuque Hempstead should bring the home crowd 
to their feet with a championship effort at 119. He is one of the more dangerous wrestlers 
in the tournament and can pin anyone, anytime, anywhere. His toughest opposition in the 
tournament should come in the form of No. 8 T.J. Frein of Waterloo West.

125
Two-time State champ Kyle Anson of Iowa City High has been brutal to opponents all 
season and that should continue Saturday. Although there are a pair of other ranked 
wrestlers at this weight class, the top-ranked Anson should have no problems. Expect 
No. 9 Charles Arceneaux of Waterloo East and No. 10 Tim Lagow of Waterloo West to 
battle in the bottom half semifinal to see who faces Anson.

130
Another 2004 State champ is favored at this weight, as No. 1 Joey Slaton of Cedar Rapids 
Kennedy is the man to beat. Slaton may have to get through a pair of ranked wrestlers 
on his way to the gold medal, but it's hard seeing anyone knocking him off. No. 4 Adam 
Schumacher of Dubuque Senior is a possible finals foe, while No. 7 Daniel Twito of Cedar 
Falls and 10th-ranked Phil Sexton of Cedar Rapids Prairie will also be in the mix for top 3 
medals.

135
This is the fourth weight class in a row at the MVC Tournament where the top-ranked man 
in Class 3A is found. Wrestling fans should get yet another match between the top two 
wrestlers at 135 in the championship match. Mitch Mueller of Iowa City West and Zach 
McKray of Iowa City High have met several times in their careers, including Mueller's 
victory in the State championship match last season. Those two are clearly favored to 
reach the finals, but watch out for  No. 9 Blaine Beatty of Cedar Rapids Jefferson and 
Dan Humpal of Cedar falls as possible spoilers. If not spoilers, at least possible 
opponents in a third-place match.

140
Iowa City West brings another favored wrestler to the table here, in third-ranked Kalvin 
Hodge. But it won't be easy for the Trojan, as possible roadblocks include No. 8 Eddie 
Leonard of Dubuque Wahlert, Denny Vorba of Cedar Rapids Jefferson and talented 
freshman Grant Gambrall of Iowa City High. Don't be surprised to see an all-Iowa City 
final for the second weight in a row.

145
Top-ranked Brett Blasberg is possibly out for this tournament. If he does wrestle, he 
is the clear favorite to win gold. If Blasberg is out, look for No. 10 Brooks Wheelan of 
Dubuque Hempstead to take advantage of the situation and win the title.

152
Drew Waschkat of Waterloo West, ranked second in The Predicament's most recent 
rankings, is the clear favorite here. He is the lone ranked wrestler from the MVC at this 
weight and if he doesn't win the gold medal, it will be a huge upset.

160
Like Waschkat at 152, Ryan Lavin of Cedar Rapids Kennedy is the only ranked wrestler 
at 160. He is currently second in 3A for the Cougars. If you're looking for a wrestler to 
possibly knock off Lavin, check out junior Joe Dupont of Dubuque Hempstead. He has 
been wrestling well this season and maybe the home crowd can help him pull off an upset.

171
There are four ranked wrestlers at this weight class, but only one pick to win the title. 
Jay Borschel of Linn-Mar, the three-time State champ who hasn't lost since his freshman 
season, is clearly the man to beat here. If all seven top-ranked individuals lost on Saturday 
at the MVC, Borschel would be the biggest upset. And that's not to say the rest of the 
171-pound field isn't talented, because it may be the toughest one in the tournament. 
Third-ranked Robbie Kramer could face Borschel in the finals, but keep your eyes on 
No. 7 Josh Keller of Iowa City High, No. 10 Andy Mohling of Cedar Rapids Kennedy 
and Dan Chmelar of Dubuque Hempstead.

189
Iowa City High will be looking for big championship points out of third-ranked Greg Lalla 
at 189, but he may have to get through No. 6 Justin Whitty of Dubuque Hempstead to 
get it done. Those two are clearly favored to meet in the title bout.

215
This is the only weight class that doesn't have a top-three ranked individual in the field. 
Zach Covington of Cedar Rapids Prairie is ranked ninth and Wes lane of Waterloo West 
is right behind him at No. 10. If you're looking for someone to possibly spoil this ranked 
finals match-up, Josh Koeppel of Iowa City High may be the guy.

275
The MVC has four ranked big men, but only three of them will wrestle on Saturday, 
No. 9 Shawnden Crawford of Linn-Mar is out, so that opens up a possible semifinal 
spot for someone else. The other three should be filled by No. 2 Blake Rowland of 
Cedar Rapids Washington, No. 3 Travis Meade of Iowa City West and eighth-ranked 
Hiram Serrano of Iowa City High. Expect Rowland and Meade to battle in the final 
championship match of the day.