Heading into the Iowa wrestling district meet last weekend in Glenwood, Bishop Heelan wrestling co-coach Jordan Langley thought the Crusaders had a chance to send at least three to the state tournament.
He ended up being spot on. The Crusaders will send sophomore Andy Nuno, junior Jackson Kinnetz and senior Sir Brandon Watts to compete in the Class 2A field starting Wednesday at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines.
“We’re excited about it,” Langley said. “Andy stepped up in a big, big way. We’re very excited about this week.”
Watts is the highest-seeded Crusader this week. Watts also earned his 150th win as a high school wrestler, and he became the third in program history.
Watts is 32-3 and earlier this season, he won his weight class for the first time at the Bishop Heelan Invitational. He is seeded 3rd in the final IAWrestle rankings at 157 pounds.
“Once I get there, I have to focus and lock it in,” Watts said. “I’m just looking to build on that this week. I’ve been working over the last three years to become the best wrestler I can be.”
Kinnetz, meanwhile, qualified by winning the district meet with three wins by fall. He is 32-7 at 144 pounds entering the state meet. IAWrestle ranked Kinnetz 12th in its final poll.
Kinnetz fought a lower leg injury last year, and he’s proud of the extra work he’s had to put in to become a state qualifier.
“I was proud of the moment, but I know I have more work to do,” Kinnetz said. “My goal is to bring home a medal. I know that I’ve worked for this all season.”
He said once he started winning in the wrestling room, he felt like himself again before the torn ACL.
“I knew it would take a lot of work, but I knew I could do it,” Kinnetz said.
Nuno will be competing in the 2A 106-pound division. The sophomore is 12-17 this season. When Nuno wrestled on Saturday, Langley noticed how focused he was and took all the recommendations to heart from Langley and fellow co-coach Matt Pugh.
“Getting him to believe in himself probably more than more than he ever has before,” Langley said. “He’s a grinder. He works hard and he does all the right things.”