ICCAC SPRING PREVIEW | WRESTLING
The ICCAC returns to the mat in 2021 with a new face. Indian Hills joins the ICCAC in their first year of competition. After a full-year of preparation, the Warriors join the most competitive region in the country, already garnering respect with a No. 20 ranking in the preseason poll.
IHCC also launched the first women's community college program in the state.
They will join the likes of Ellsworth, Iowa Central, Iowa Western, Iowa Lakes and NIACC from a region where five of the six schools cracked the top 20.
The favorite in 2021 are the fourth-ranked Iowa Western Reivers. The host of the Central District Championship (March 7), and the NJCAA National Championships (April 21-22), Iowa Western returns seven national qualifiers from a year ago and hope to defend their 2020 Central District title.
Iowa Central is ranked No. 6 in the NJCAA preseason poll. The Tritons have dominated the District for the past decade, winning eight of the last 10 titles, including six in-a-row from 2014-2019.
Last year's ICCAC Wrestler of the Year still resides in Mason City. NIACC's 165-pounder Christian Minto looks to avenge his National Championship match defeat. The 9th-ranked Trojans were tagged as third in the ICCAC coaches poll, just as they finished last season.
Iowa Lakes only has one returning qualifier from last year's national tournament. However, the Lakers found their way to a 13th place finish at National last season, and will build on improving their finish.
Rounding out the group, Ellsworth boasts a new coach in Tyson Springer. The Panthers will have to replace the production they got from the 149-pound class, with the departure of NJCAA Champions Cardionte Wilson.
Each team is scheduled to wrestle each other once during the season, with a home/away set against one school, for a total of six duals.
See top returners, 2021 outlooks and last year's national championship results here in the 2021 ICCAC Wrestling Preview.
Wrestling