The Mid-Prairie Golden Hawk wrestling team faces their first hurdle on the road to Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines and the state tournament today when they travel to Albia for their class 2A sectional meet. With the River Valley Conference championship meet canceled last Saturday at Monticello, the Hawks have had an extended break, not seeing live action since a pair of duals at Clear Creek Amana on January 28th where they split, beating the Clippers on their home mat and falling to Central DeWitt. They ended the season with a 13-11 dual record. The Golden Hawks have been led by the top half of their lineup with their 182lb to heavyweight roster spots compiling an overall record of 125-19, led by 30 match winners Ben Meader, Cael Garvey, Josh Wallington and Gannon Callahan. Despite battling injuries this season, Vinnie Bowlin has posted an unbeaten mark at 10-0 to this point.

The Centerville Big Reds come into today’s tournament as the only squad in this week’s class 2A team rankings from thepredicament.com, checking in at No. 9 despite their 6-10 dual record on the year. Centerville has three ranked wrestlers in their lineup with senior Nathan Genobana No. 2 at 138lbs, Matthew Lewis No. 1 at 145lbs and Lucas Henderson No. 10 at 170lbs.

The Albia Blue Demons enter their home gym with the best dual record of any competing team, finishing with an 18-1 mark in team competition. The Blue Demons have one ranked wrestler in their lineup with Carter Anderson at No. 2 at 106lbs.

Eddyville-Blakesburg will also compete at the meet. The Rockets were 8-14 on the dual season. The Fairfield Trojans will also be in action. They finished the regular season with a 4-7 mark in duals. Davis County rounds out today’s field. The Mustangs were 4-8 during the regular season. Those three teams do not have a ranked wrestler in their lineups. Action starts at noon Saturday and continues throughout the day at Albia High School.