Starmont's Keaton Moeller, Jesup's Cooper Hinz Capture Class 1A State Wrestling Titles

Moeller dominates with relentless offense, Hinz comes through in clutch for Jesup's first team trophy in 60 years

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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Starmont's Keaton Moeller won his second state title with a 21-6 technical fall, while Jesup's Cooper Hinz claimed the 132-pound championship with a 4-1 decision. Jesup finished as the Class 1A runner-up team, the program's best finish in 60 years, with six medalists including Hinz, Ayden Bergman, and Dax Youngblut.

Why it matters

Moeller's dominant performance and Jesup's team success highlight the strength of Iowa's Class 1A wrestling programs, with both schools producing multiple state champions and medalists. Jesup's runner-up finish ends a long drought for the program, showing their ability to build a well-rounded team capable of competing for titles.

The details

Moeller used his signature relentless pace and offense to overwhelm his opponent, scoring five takedowns in the first period before ending the match with a huge throw. Hinz, a University of Michigan signee, used an escape and takedown in the third period to secure his first state title. Jesup's six medalists, including third-placer Ayden Bergman and seventh-placer Dax Youngblut, helped the team score 115.5 points and claim the runner-up trophy for the first time since 1961.

  • Moeller won the 150-pound title in 2024.
  • Jesup's last team trophy came in 1974 when they placed third in Class AA.

The players

Keaton Moeller

A two-time state champion for Starmont, winning the 190-pound title in 2026 after missing the 2025 season due to a knee injury.

Cooper Hinz

A four-time state medalist for Jesup, the University of Michigan signee won the 132-pound state title in 2026.

Jesup

The Jesup J-Hawks finished as the Class 1A runner-up team, their best finish in 60 years, with six state medalists.

Ayden Bergman

The Jesup 120-pounder placed third, rebounding from a tough quarterfinal loss.

Dax Youngblut

The Jesup 215-pounder placed seventh, helping the team score crucial points towards their runner-up finish.

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What they’re saying

“Why change things now? I mean, I've been doing it all year long. Just trying to push the pace. Just drop us both in deep water and see who can survive.”

— Keaton Moeller (thegazette.com)

“It means a lot. It's the best way to go out. Finish your high school career as a state champ.”

— Cooper Hinz (thegazette.com)

“That's 60-plus years of what we'll call heartbreak, right? We've always had the wrestling community with us, so I'm proud of these boys for putting it together when it really matters.”

— Levi Vogel, Jesup Coach (thegazette.com)

What’s next

The Jesup wrestling program will look to build on their strong 2026 season, with two returning medalists and additional young talent hungry to compete for varsity spots.

The takeaway

Starmont's Keaton Moeller's dominant performance and Jesup's long-awaited team success showcase the depth and competitiveness of Iowa's Class 1A wrestling landscape, with both programs producing multiple state champions and medalists to cement their status as wrestling powers.