The North Central District, also known as "The Iowa Jucos" where I come from. We are going to see some great wrestling, with highly ranked wrestlers in each weight class. Going to be a phenomenal tournament.
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| 125 |
The final here at 125 looks to be between two highly ranked talents. Central Missouri transfer Charlie Dykes is having an outstanding season for the Warriors, winning the Millikin Open & placing second at the Art Kraft Memorial. Noah Jones, a native of Albuquerque, New Mexico is also having a standout season.
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| 133 |
We have a probable final here at 133 lbs that could very well end up an NJCAA national tournament semi-final or even a final, depending on seeding. Ridgewater transfer Tegan Sherk has worked hard this season to cement himself as the #1 wrestler in the NJCAA at 133 lbs. With that said, at #3, Olli Webb has positioned himself as an NJCAA title contender as well. Already having broke the IHCC record for technical falls in one season, Webb owns titles at both Luther Hill & Art Kraft. While it's pretty much a given that the battle for gold will be between Sherk & Webb, look for Alejandro Rodriguez of host NIACC to battle hard for bronze.
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| 141 |
A North Central District champion last year & an NJCAA champion last year, Gavyn Whitehead is planning on earning another two gold medals as the end of his community college wrestling career nears. Standing in his way, in both quests will be Iowa Central's Che Jenkins. These two have already met once this season, with Whitehead winning a hard fought 9-7 decision. Can the Warrior beat the Triton again? We'll find out this Sunday!
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| 149 |
Have a very tough bracket here at 149 lbs. We have Jahkari Clark, an Iowa High School standout that placed 3rd & 2nd at the state championships, looking to become an NJCAA champion who never won a state title. Thus far this season, he has won the Millikin Open & placed 2nd at Art Kraft. This bracket will also feature Matt Roche & William Penn, both 2025 All-Americans who placed 2nd & 3rd at last year's North Central District respectively. I also wouldn't overlook MaCael Bear if I were any of these guys. An NJCAA qualifier last year, he has the tools to be an All-American this year.
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| 157 |
2nd at the North Central District & 7th in the NJCAA back in 2024, 2026 might as well be labeled HALLOWEEN 5: The Return of Michael Myers because the Triton is back & he's looking to earn a North District title this Sunday. Here to challenge him will be Shehab Mohamed, a North Central District champion last season, who finished 5th in the NJCAA nation. Thus far this year, Mohamed has won Luther Hill & taken runner-up honors at Art Kraft. Look for Nick Fischer, who was 3rd at Art Kraft to finish a strong 3rd.
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| 165 |
I'm not sure if I'd take the Bangel's advice & walk like one, but if Coach Spree told me to wrestle like an Egyptian, I'd listen. Mohamed Abdelhady, 3rd at last year's North Central District & 2nd in the NJCAA nation has been wrestling exceptionally well this season. He won Art Kraft & more importantly in reference to this weekend, he defeated Kaden King 9-3 in dual action. I expect King, a North Central District champion last season & 3rd in the NJCAA himself, to give Abdelhady a much better match this time out. Very excited for this likely final. I look for Josh Berlin, to be another Panther taking 3rd in a tough bracket.
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| 174 |
Another deep, fun weight class here at 174 lbs. Cinsere Clark is a guy that is on the mat as much as he's allowed to be & he's a guy who likes to score points. 3rd at last year's North Central District, he was 4th in the NJCAA nation. Thus far this year, he has won Art Kraft. At the beginning of the year, everyone was hyped about brother Isaiah, but Demarcus has done a tremendous job making a name for himself in the NJCAA. Bracket will also feature Matteo Nikolov, a North Central District runner-up last year, 7th in the NJCAA. I also wouldn't dare overlook Austin Pfantz. Health has not been a friend to this Redtail, thus keeping him out of the top 10 in my opinion. Nonetheless, he's a dangerous & talented wrestler, who should not be underestimated or overlooked.
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| 184 |
The thing I love most about the North Central District is the intense rivalry between Indian Hills & Iowa Central. For years & years, Iowa Central dominated the Iowa junior college wrestling scene. Then in recent times, Indian Hills after decades & decades of locals trying to get wrestling back at their community college, finally got it back. Then they hired Cole Spree, and we have a new king in town. Iowa Central isn't happy about it. They don't like having that #2 next to their name in the North Central District & they don't like having that #2 next to their name in the NJCAA. When we watch these matches between the Warriors & the Tritons this Sunday, the sentiment will be revealed.
Here at 184, look for the rivalry to be quite heated. We have Jarrell Miller, originally a University of Iowa commit, who has dominated the NJCAA this year. We also have Jonathan Clohency, a Luther Hill champ & Art Kraft runner-up.
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| 197 |
This one will be really interesting. Likely to meet in the North Central District finals, we have Andrew Marquez, a North Central District runner-up last season & NJCAA champion. We also have Umair Amad, who himself was a North Central District runner-up. While Marquez has the higher ranking, it was Amad who upset Marquez earlier this season 4-2. I also would keep a strong eye on Jean Ngoma of Ellsworth. The Panther may not be ranked at the moment, but he did win the Art Kraft memorial.
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| HWT |
Wouldn't that be awesome if the team title between Iowa Central & Indian Hills came down to the final match of the night? As tough as both teams are & as bad as both teams want to be crowned North Central District team champs, this is not that farfetched of a prediction. I can see HWT being the deciding factor of who takes home the gold. Despite what rankings say on paper, trust me, on the mat tells a different story.
The last Zaman Anwar & Naasir Edmonds met on the mat, it was a closely contested 4-2 decision for the Triton. Anwar, to give him some background, is already a Commonwealth Games silver medalist. So along with collegiate credentials, this guy is gonna rack up some international accomplishments too. Edmonds was a North Central District champion last year, 6th in the NJCAA nation. Thus far this year he has won the Millikin Open & taken 2nd at Art Kraft.
Now to speak of Josh Vis of Hawkeye CC. I'm a little surprised that Vis isn't within the NJCAA's official top 10. No bother, # next to his name or U.R. next to his name, the guy IS All American potential & I say he proves that this weekend. He may not overcome Edmonds or Anwar, but I do expect the Red Tail to take a bronze medal with authority.
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