Williamsburg's Gryp, Montezuma's Plants named area wrestlers of the year

Cecelia Gryp and Braxton Plants had standout seasons, earning top honors in the region

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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The Iowa high school girls and boys wrestling seasons have concluded, with a total of 28 area wrestlers qualifying for the two state tournaments. Nine of those wrestlers came away with state medals ranging from runner-up to sixth place. Williamsburg's Cecelia Gryp and Montezuma's Braxton Plants stood out among the rest, and have been selected as the Hometown Current area wrestlers of the year.

Why it matters

Wrestling is a popular high school sport in the region, and recognizing the top performers helps celebrate the hard work and achievements of local student-athletes. Gryp and Plants' success highlights the talent and dedication of wrestlers in Southeast Iowa.

The details

Gryp finished the season with a 41-12 record, the second most wins of any area girls wrestler, and placed third in the Class 1A 130-pound bracket at the state tournament. Plants amassed the most wins of any area boys wrestler with an impressive 59-2 record, finishing third in 1A at 215 pounds.

  • The Iowa high school girls and boys wrestling seasons concluded in early February 2026.
  • Gryp and Plants competed at the state wrestling tournaments in early February 2026.

The players

Cecelia Gryp

A junior wrestler from Williamsburg High School who finished the season with a 41-12 record and placed third in the Class 1A 130-pound bracket at the state tournament.

Braxton Plants

A senior wrestler from Montezuma High School who finished the season with a 59-2 record and placed third in the Class 1A 215-pound bracket at the state tournament.

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What they’re saying

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

The takeaway

The success of Gryp and Plants showcases the high level of wrestling talent in Southeast Iowa, and the hard work and dedication of these student-athletes is an inspiration to the local community.