A junior on the WACO Warriors’ wrestling team is among the top heavyweight grapplers in the state. The Predicament and IAwrestle have rated Cody Crawford as No. 6 in Class 1A at 285 pounds. Crawford will enter the 2017 calendar year with 15 grapples under his belt this season, winning 11 matches.

Crawford was named KCII’s Hedge Above Lawncare Athlete of the Week on December 14 after pinning his way to first place in the Tri-County Wrestling Invitational. He secured the title by bringing Iowa City West’s Nate Daniels to his back with 39 seconds remaining in the third period of the championship match. Crawford made it to the podium at last year’s Iowa State Individual Wrestling Tournament, placing eighth at 285 pounds.

Crawford and the WACO wrestling team continue their season Thursday, hosting a Southeast Iowa Super Conference triangular versus Columbus-Winfield-Mount Union, Lone Tree, and New London. First grapples are set for 6 p.m. at WACO High School.