CENTERVILLE, Iowa - The NIACC Trojans took the North Central District Tournament title for their first time since bringing back their wrestling program in 2008. The last time the Trojans took home a conference tournament title was back in 1972, then a regional event.
Leading the team was Christian Minto at 165 pounds. He became a three-time district champion with a late pin of Mirzo Khayitov from Ellsworth. Minto is now 11-0 this season and has a 46-1 record overall. He heads to the NJCAA National Tournament as the returning national champion and a likely No. 1 seed.
Fellow Trojans Quentrevion Campbell (141) and Jose Valdez (197) joined Minto with earning individual district titles. Campbell and Valdez are now two-time North Central District champions, both in their current weight classes.
NIACC will send nine qualifiers to nationals in addition to their champions; Cruz Aguilar (125), Clarence Lee-Green (133), Deville Dentis (149), Josh Barretta (157), Ein Carlos (174), Chase McCleish (184).
Head coach Steve Kelly was named ICCAC Coach of the Year after leading the Trojans to the title. NIACC had a 4-2 dual record this season and are ranked seventh in the country.
Iowa Central had three wrestlers take home district titles. Keaton Geerts (149), returning national runner-up at 165, won his first district title, along with teammate Nolan Miller-Johnston at 157. Jorden Pryor who is in the 285 class earned the district title also. All 10 Tritons qualified for the national tournament.
Iowa Western brought home two individual titles and a third place finish. Jakason Burks earned his first district crown at 125. Most surprisingly, Isaiah Alford of the 174-pound class beat out last year's NJCAA National Champion in Jose Rodriguez. The Reivers also have 10 national qualifiers in 2022.
Rounding out the 51 qualifiers, Ellsworth will take seven to Council Bluffs, and Iowa Lakes, five.
Team Results:
1. NIACC - 125
2. Iowa Central - 122
3. Iowa Western - 116.5
4. Indian Hills - 116
5. Ellsworth - 82
6. Iowa Lakes - 58
National Qualifers in BOLD.
125 Weight Class
1. Jakason Burks, Iowa Western
2. Cruz Aguilar, NIACC
3. Aidan Harris, Iowa Central
4. Kaden Karns, Ellsworth
5. Chris Busutil, Indian Hills
133 Weight Class
1. Caleb Meekins, Indian Hills
2. Clarence Lee-Green, NIACC
3. Camden Russell, Iowa Western
4. Davian Gowens, Iowa Central
5. Tyrick Clay, Iowa Lakes
6. Zeth Strejc, Ellsworth
141 Weight Class
1. Quentrevion Campbell, NIACC
2. Creighton Baughman, Iowa Western
3. Victor Guzman, Indian Hills
4. Darnai Heard, Iowa Central
5. Ryan Graves, Ellsworth
6. Dontario Norwood, Iowa Lakes
149 Weight Class
1. Keaton Geerts, Iowa Central
2. Deville Dentis, NIACC
3. Nathan Lendt, Ellsworth
4. Matthew, Lewis, Indian Hills
5. Dontae Johnson, Iowa Lakes
6. Kruise Kiburz, Iowa Western
157 Weight Class
1. Nolan Miller-Johnston, Iowa Central
2. Fabian Padilla, Iowa Western
3. Diego Isiordia, Ellsworth
4. Destin Jones, Indian Hills
5. Josh Barretta, NIACC
6. Cael Langford, Iowa Lakes
165 Weight Class
1. Christian Minto, NIACC
2. Mirzo Khayitov, Ellsworth
3. Grant Lyman, Iowa Western
4. Cameron Nesbitt, Indian Hills
5. Josh Ramirez, Iowa Central
6. Dominique Johnson, Iowa Lakes
174 Weight Class
1. Isaiah Alford, Iowa Western
2. Jose Rodriguez, Iowa Central
3. Jacob Anderson, Indian Hills
4. Ein Carlos, NIACC
5. Caden Mumme, Iowa Lakes
6. Nolan Craine, Ellsworth
184 Weight Class
1. Deron Pulliam, Indian Hills
2. Josh McFarland, Iowa Western
3. Chase McCleish, NIACC
4. Coleton McElliott, Iowa Central
5. Ethan Miller, Ellsworth
6. John Colburne, Iowa Lakes
197 Weight Class
1. Jose Valdez, NIACC
2. Massoma Endene, Iowa Lakes
3. John Lovett, Iowa Central
4. Michael Aguirre, Iowa Western
5. Khris Walton, Indian Hills
6. Isaiah Laguna, Ellsworth
285 Weight Class
1. Jorden Pryor, Iowa Central
2. Trent Strong, Iowa Western
3. Kawaun Deboe, Indian Hills
4. Jacob Rahn, Iowa Lakes
5. Jaylin Smith, NIACC
6. Larry Everfield, Ellsworth