PHOTO COURTESY OF REBECCA LYN DAVIS

INDEPENDENCE – It was a truly sweet Valentine’s Day for six members of the Union Knights boys wrestling squad who qualified for the 2026 IHSAA State Wrestling Tournament after finishing top-2 in their respective brackets at the Class 2A District 6 state qualifier hosted by Independence last Saturday, Feb 14. Junior Coy Mehlert (113 pounds) – ranked No. 2 in Class 2A by IAwrestle – and senior Kaydin “KJ” Jones (138 pounds) – ranked No. 4 by IAwrestle – were both crowned district champions, going 2-0 on the day. Also headed to state for the Knights, juniors Stratton Luke (120), Wesley Gaston (126), Evan McMahon (132), and Holden Craft (190) who all earned runner-up. Union placed third overall at the meet with 143 points. The hosts placed first with 214 1/2 points, while North Fayette Valley came in second with 157 1/2 points. Last season, Union similarly qualified six grapplers for state, including Jones, Luke, and Mehlert. Mehlert went on to earn bronze at 106 pounds, while Jones medaled in fifth at 126; Luke did not medal. The 2026 IHSAA State Wrestling Tournament is scheduled to begin today, Wednesday, Feb. 18, and last through Saturday, Feb. 21, at the newly-rebranded Casey’s Center in Des Moines. Finals for all classes are set for Saturday evening beginning at 5:15 p.m. Pictured from left on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026, in Independence: Stratton Luke, Wesley Gaston, Coy Mehlert, KJ Jones, Holton Craft, and Evan McMahon.