Iowa–Grant/Highland's Griffin Wineski Wins 106-Pound State Title

Sophomore wrestler completes incredible run through the bracket at WIAA Individual Wrestling State Tournament

Mar. 5, 2026 at 8:21pm

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Sophomore Griffin Wineski of the Iowa–Grant/Highland wrestling team capped an impressive tournament run by winning the Division 3 106-pound state title at the WIAA Individual Wrestling State Tournament. Wineski, the No. 6 seed, defeated the top three seeds in his bracket to claim the championship with a 7-0 shutout of top-seeded Shiocton sophomore Tucker Keberlein in the finals.

Why it matters

Wineski's state title was the 20th individual championship for the Iowa–Grant/Highland program, which has produced two previous two-time state champions. The victory also highlights the continued success of the small-school wrestling powerhouse and the development of young talent like Wineski.

The details

Wineski (39-10) opened the tournament with a 12-3 major decision over Kewaunee sophomore Samuel Kraynik. He then upset No. 3 seed Sterling Schanen of Ozaukee 8-3 in the quarterfinals before pinning No. 2 seed Dakota Kraft of Edgar in the semifinals. In the finals, Wineski blanked top-seeded Keberlein 7-0 to claim the title.

  • Wineski opened the tournament on Thursday with a 12-3 major decision.
  • Wineski upset the No. 3 seed on Thursday night.
  • Wineski pinned the No. 2 seed in the semifinals on Friday night.
  • Wineski won the 106-pound state title on Saturday night.

The players

Griffin Wineski

A sophomore wrestler for the Iowa–Grant/Highland team who won the Division 3 106-pound state championship.

Brock Hinderman

A junior wrestler for Iowa–Grant/Highland who won the Division 3 175-pound state title.

Cade Sarbacker

A former two-time individual state champion for the Iowa–Grant/Highland wrestling program.

Rory Edge

A former two-time individual state champion for the Iowa–Grant/Highland wrestling program.

Tucker Keberlein

A sophomore wrestler from Shiocton who was the top seed at 106 pounds but lost to Wineski in the finals.

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What they’re saying

“Griffin has really had a phenomenal season. It was a rough start at 120 pounds, but he worked his butt off and dropped to 106 and it paid off big time for him. The amount of work he put in this year really made losing hard to come by for him. I'm very proud of him and the way he wrestled this weekend.”

— Allen

The takeaway

Wineski's state title victory is a testament to his hard work and development, as well as the continued excellence of the Iowa–Grant/Highland wrestling program. The small-school powerhouse has now produced 20 individual state champions, proving that elite talent and coaching can thrive outside of the state's largest schools.