State wrestling: How did the Iowa Eight do during the 2018-19 wrestling season?

The 2018-19 high school wrestling season is officially in the books, so let’s take a look back at how our Iowa Eight selections did.

In short, they all dominated. Six of the eight won state titles last week, and the only reason they all didn’t win is because two battled injuries. Still, three of them won at least 50 matches and they all combined to lose just three matches all year. 

To review: The Iowa Eight is the Des Moines Register's list of the eight best wrestlers in the state of Iowa, weighing their past performance and future prospects. Incoming freshmen through seniors were eligible.

The team was selected based on Register staff observations and consultations with high school, college and recruiting contacts. All records were compiled through Trackwrestling.

Here is how they did this season:

Drake Ayala

School: Fort Dodge

Weight: 113 pounds

2018-19 season review: Ayala produced perhaps one of the most dominant seasons in recent memory: 43-0 with 31 pins and 10 technical falls. He had just one match go the distance all year, a 5-4 decision win over Totino-Grace’s Joey Thompson in the Council Bluffs Classic finals.

At state this past weekend, the sophomore blitzed through Class 3A’s 113-pound bracket, winning with two pins and two technical falls to win his first state championship. He outscored his opponents a combined 51-12. All 12 points allowed were gifted escapes.

Julien Broderson

School: Davenport Assumption

Weight: 195 pounds

2018-19 season review: Broderson cruised to his third straight Class 2A state title with a 53-0 record. The senior won 43 matches by fall, two more by technical fall, seven by forfeit and once by decision, a 7-2 win over Bettendorf’s Griffin Liddle, the 3A state runner-up at heavyweight.

At the state tournament, Broderson recorded three pins and a technical fall in the finals at 195, outscoring his opponents 42-2 along the way. The Iowa State signee also scored 29.5 team points, which would’ve been good for 20th in the 2A team race.

► RELATED: Assumption's Broderson caps brilliant career with third state title

Cade DeVos

School: Southeast Polk

Weight: 160 pounds

2018-19 season review: DeVos capped his stellar prep career as a three-time state finalist and two-time champ after winning a second consecutive state title this past weekend. The senior outscored his opponents by a combined 48-15 to win the title at 160 in 3A.

The senior, a South Dakota State signee, went 40-0 this season with 28 pins, one technical fall and six major decisions. He won titles at some of the Midwest's toughest tournaments, like the Gardner Edgerton Invite and the Cheesehead Invite.

Cael Happel

School: Lisbon

Weight: 132 pounds

2018-19 season review: Happel dominated his way to a third straight state title, positioning himself to join older brother Carter as a four-timer next year. The junior competed at both 126 and 132 pounds this season, rolling to a 53-0 record with 32 pins and nine technical falls.

At the state tournament, Happel won at 132 in 1A and outscored his opponents 68-23 … in *three* matches (he won by injury default in the quarters). He racked up 26 takedowns in those three matches, including 11 in the finals to win by a 23-9 major decision.

► RELATED: Meet the Happels, one of Iowa's most dominant wrestling families

Caleb Rathjen

School: Ankeny

Weight: 126 pounds

2018-19 season review: A year after finishing as a state runner-up, Rathjen stormed to his first state title at 126 pounds in 3A behind a 46-1 record. At the state tournament, outscored his opponents 37-9, defeating three other podium finishers along the way.

Rathjen’s only loss of the season came to Happel back in December. The sophomore ended the year by winning 41 straight matches. He finished the season with 23 pins and seven technical falls. 

WATCH: Ankeny assistant coach Austin Anderson reacts during Rathjen's finals match

► RELATED: Ankeny schools show strength, promise during state wrestling finals

Aden Reeves

School: Albia

Weight: 120 pounds

2018-19 season review: Reeves’ season was cut short due to an injury. The Iowa State-bound senior was 24-0 before a knee injury sidelined him for the season. He was a three-time state medalist and two-time champ. His final career record is 166-3.

Cullan Schriever

School: Mason City

Weight: 120 pounds

2018-19 season review: Schriever’s season was also marred by injuries. The junior broke his ankle at the Cheesehead Invite on Jan. 4. He returned and made the state semifinals at 120 pounds in 3A, but a shoulder injury caused him to forfeit the match in the first period and finish in sixth place. He finished with a 20-2 record.

Spencer Trenary

School: Clarion-Goldfield-Dows

Weight: 285 pounds

2018-19 season review: Trenary has long been one of the state’s most dominant heavyweights, and he capped off his stellar career with a state title last week. He pinned his way through the bracket, including twice in the first period, to complete a perfect senior campaign at 51-0.

Trenary, a South Dakota State signee, recorded 34 pins, including 28 in the first period and 21 in under a minute. He allowed just one takedown all season.

Just missed

Adam Allard, West Sioux — The junior rolled to the 1A state title at 120 pounds, capping a 61-0 season. He’s now won three state titles, and has positioned himself to try and win a fourth next season.

Gabe Christenson, Southeast Polk — Christenson recorded two pins, a technical fall and a major decision en route to his first state title at 195 pounds in 3A. He outscored his opponents 39-3 on the week and went 35-1 this season.

John Henrich, Akron-Westfield — Henrich capped his third straight undefeated season with his third straight 1A state title. The Nebraska signee recorded three pins and didn’t allow a point all week en route to first at 160 pounds.

Nick Oldham, W.D.M. Valley — Oldham went 37-4 and finished as the state runner-up, behind Rathjen. The Ohio State commit ended his career as a four-time state medalist and a three-time finalist.

Lance Runyon, Southeast Polk — Runyon went 40-0 and won the state title at 152 pounds in 3A. The future Northern Iowa Panther pinned his way to the finals, where he won 9-2. He, along with Christenson and DeVos, helped the Rams to a second-place finish in the team race.

Anthony Zach, Waukee — Zach went 49-3 this season and won the 170-pound state title in 3A. The Northern Illinois commit didn’t allow a point all week at the state tournament.

Cody Goodwin covers wrestling and high school sports for the Des Moines Register. Follow him on Twitter at @codygoodwin.