Union wrestler, freshman Jace Hedeman has his hand raised by the official mere moments after he beat Carter West of Notre Dame-Burlington by decision 7-3 for the Class 2A 106 pounds state wrestling championship title in Wells Fargo Arena on Saturday, Feb. 19, in Des Moines. Photo by Soren M. Peterson

Between the 2021-2022 Union Knights’ boys and girls wrestling seasons, there’s now two state champions among their ranks with freshman Jace Hedeman capturing the 106 pounds championship title Saturday evening in Des Moines, thereby joining Union freshman Jillian Worthen who did the same in the 100 pounds weight class at the girls state wrestling tournament just a few weeks ago.

It’s certainly been a good year to be a Knights’ wrestler.

Through nearly two sessions at the Iowa High School State Wrestling Championships at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines beginning Thursday, February 17, the Union Knights held their own.

After Thursday’s opening round at the Well, all six wrestlers including No. 1 Hedeman (106), No. 10 Brayden Bohnsack (113), No. 11 Caleb Olson (132), No. 4 Hunter Worthen (152), No . 5 Stone Schmitz (160) and Dacoda Marvets (195) remained in contention.

The only Union wrestler to take a loss Thursday was Marvets who dropped his opening-round match against No. 10 Carter Smuck of Winterset but rallied in the blood round to defeat No. 12 Jayden Allen-Winston of Chariton by a close 10-7 decision.

Jace Hedeman (left) faces Carter West of Notre Dame-Burlington early in the 106 pounds Class 2A championship match Feb. 19, in Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines. Hedeman kept West at bay or controlled most of the match, eventually beating West by decision 7-3 for the state title. Photo by Soren M. Peterson

On Friday morning, the field thinned slightly but Union still retained three of their six wrestlers on the championship side of the bracket.

Knights wrestlers who moved on to the state semifinals included the undefeated-this-season Hedeman as well as Olson and Worthen, each taking down top 5 opponents to earn their spot in the semis and ensure their place on the podium Saturday evening.

In the semifinals, Hedeman won by decision 8-3 over Colin Cassady of West Liberty, while both Olson and Worthen lost their semifinal and consolation semifinal matches, putting them in contention for fifth place.

On Saturday morning, Olson won by decision 4-1 over Jonathon Burnette of Spirit Lake Park. Worthen also won his fifth place match – the final match of his high school career – by decision 8-3 over Logan Peyton of West Delaware.

In the 106 pounds championship round Saturday evening, No. 1 seed Hedeman took on No. 2 seed Carter West of Notre Dame-Burlington. Up until this final match, West had only dropped two matches all season.

Union head coach Bart Mehlert (right) watches as Knights wrestler Jace Hedeman grapples with Carter West of Notre Dame-Burlington for the Class 2A 106 pounds state wrestling championship title in Wells Fargo Arena on Saturday, Feb. 19, in Des Moines. Photo by Soren M. Peterson

Hedeman established a pace and controlled the match for all three periods, giving up only defensive points to West who looked just a step behind the whole way through.

In the first period Hedeman opened up with a deep two-legged takedown that sent both wrestlers onto their sides, however Hedeman had the stronger hold and was able to quickly get around to West’s back for the first points of the match. West managed a one-point escape but wasn’t able to respond with an attack of his own before the whistle sounded to end the first period.

Hedeman won the official’s toss and deferred to begin the second period, to which West chose to begin in the bottom position. West scored an escape, getting out from underneath Hedeman, tying the score at two all.

Late in the second period West got a hold of Hedeman on a single leg shot, his best looking takedown attempt of the night. However, Hedeman was able to successfully defend the attack, quickly collapsing himself onto West’s back and securing his arm around West’s left leg to keep from giving up a two-point takedown. Hedeman held strong and time expired in the second period, giving the Union freshman an opportunity to begin the final period from the bottom position.

In the third, West couldn’t hold onto Hedeman who sprung out from the bottom position for a one-point escape to take the lead 3-2. Two late period takedowns from Hedeman, who clearly had plenty of gas left in the tank, sealed the victory 7-3 becoming the 17th state champion for the Union Knights and the first wrestler to do it at the 106-pound weight class.

Knights wrestling cheerleader Ava Corpman cheers on Union freshman Jace Hedeman (not pictured) during the 106 pounds Class 2A championship match Feb. 19, in Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines. Photo by Soren M. Peterson

In a post match interview with various media outlets, state champion Hedeman said: “I knew I was going to win. I had the mindset. It feels good. … Obviously there’s more to come, lots of room to improve. I didn’t set up my shot, so I have to work on that now. Bottom obviously needs work.”

Asked what it feels like to complete his undefeated season on such a high note – at the top of the podium – Hedeman replied, “It feels good. Hopefully I get the highest career wins at Union. That’s the goal. … Can’t stop now. Freestyle. Work harder than ever.”

Hedeman also commented on his coaches including head coach Bart Mehlert.

“[The Union coaching staff] push you so hard. … Push us as hard as we can, every practice.”

Hedeman also said he experienced a “mindset swing” in seventh grade when he made it a goal of his to win four state titles. He’s well on his way now toward that goal with the 2022 state wrestling tournament in the books.

Photo by Soren M. Peterson

Including Hedeman, five Union wrestlers received Class 2A state tournament medals – making their way to the podium Saturday night in the belly of Wells Fargo Arena – including Bohnsack who placed eighth, Schmitz who placed sixth, and Olson and Worthen who both placed fifth.

With Hedeman only a freshman this year, several of the team’s state qualifiers returning next season, 2022 Conference Champion and Conference Coach titles of the year feathering the team’s cap, and a newly sanctioned girls wrestling team in the queue featuring a state champion among its roster – Union Knights’ wrestling is certainly looking to continue to dominate the mats as a powerhouse program for seasons to come.

Union wrestling manager Sara Michael (center) and the 2022 girls' state wrestling champion at 100#, Union freshman Jillian 'Monster' Worthen (right), cheer as Union wrestler Jace Hedeman (not pictured) wins the Class 2A 106 pounds championship during the state wrestling tournament on Feb. 19, in Wells Fargo Arena, Des Moines. Photo credit Ruby F. Bodeker

Union freshman Jace Hedeman (left) congratulates Carter West of Notre Dame-Burlington (right) after beating West by decision 7-3 for the state 106 pounds champion title on Feb. 19 in Des Moines. Photo by Soren M. Peterson

Union head coach Bart Mehlert waits to present the first place medal for the 106 pounds Class 2A championship to his athlete, Knights wrestler Jace Hedeman (not pictured) in Wells Fargo Arena on Saturday, Feb. 19, in Des Moines. Photo by Soren M. Peterson

Hedeman faces the crowd Saturday evening in the Well after receiving his state champion medal from Union head coach Bart Mehlert (not pictured) on the podium. –Photo by Soren M. Peterson

Hedeman. Photo by Soren M. Peterson