A pair of former Southeast Iowa wrestling standouts are hitting the mat on the big stage this weekend with Coe College’s Tristin Westphal and Kaleb Reeves competing in the NCAA Division III National Wrestling Championships. 

The 2019 Washington graduate Westphal and 2018 Sigourney graduate Reeves both cracked the top three at last month’s Lower Midwest Regional to punch their ticket to the big dance. Reeves has put together an absolutely dominant senior season with a perfect 31-0 record including breezing through the regional with four pins that averaged just over one minute. He is ranked number two heading into this weekend’s action at 285 lbs. During his high school career at Sigourney, Reeves was a four-time state qualifier including three podium finishes. 

Westphal battled in the wrestle backs at regionals to secure his spot in the championships with a third place showing. The junior is ranked ninth at 174 lbs and has accumulated a 19-5 record this season. Westphal was also a four time state qualifier in his prep career including winning a state title for the Demons his senior season.

The Kohawk duo won’t have to go far to compete on the national stage both tomorrow and Saturday with the championships being held at the Alliant Energy PowerHouse in Cedar Rapids. They are joined by four teammates and a total of 180 qualifiers in the tournament. 

Photos Courtesy of Coe College