 Logan McDonald, a senior at Grinnell High School, punched his ticket to the state wrestling tournament with a first place finish at districts on Feb. 15 at Benton Community Schools. He will be joined by wrestlers Eli Peiffer and Josh Ringler at the state wrestling tournament, Feb. 19 - 22, at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines. This is McDonald's third trip to state. He plans to continue wrestling in college. Submitted photo. By J.O. Parker Three Grinnell High School wrestlers have punched their tickets to the Iowa High School State Wrestling Championship, Feb. 19 – 22, at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines. Grinnell competes in Class 2A. Logan McDonald Logan McDonald, a senior who wrestles in the 138 pound class, returns to Des Moines for a third time. McDonald holds a 45- 3 regular season record. McDonald is a third seed at state. He finished first at districts held on Saturday, Feb. 15 at Benton Community School. McDonald, who has been wrestling since seventh grade, said state is a special place. “It’s exciting to have everyone support and cheer you on,” he said. When asked what he enjoys the most about wrestling, McDonald said hanging out with his teammates and riding on the bus to tournaments and meets. McDonalds plans to continue wrestling in college. Eli Peiffer Eli Peiffer, a freshman at Grinnell who wrestles in the 106 pound class, is making his first trip to state. Peiffer holds a 26-20 regular season record. He is a 24 seed at the state tournament. Peiffer has been wrestling for about 10 years. He went 3-1 at districts to qualify for state. “It means a lot to me being one of three wrestlers from Grinnell to qualify for state,” said Peiffer. “It’s a great honor.” When asked what he enjoys about wrestling, Peiffer said the competitiveness of the sport and how the Grinnell team supports everyone at tournaments and meets. Josh Ringler Josh Ringler, a sophomore at Grinnell, is making his first trip to the state wrestling tournament. He is a 13 seed at state wrestling. It’s been a goal of Ringler all season to punch his ticket to state after finishing in third place at districts in 2024. “I didn’t qualify last year for state,” he said. “I set a goal this year to make it and I did.” Ringler wrestles in the 175 pound weight class. He finished the regular season with a 45-5 overall record. Ringler has been wrestling for 12 years. When asked what he likes the most about wrestling, Ringler said wrestling is an individual sport. “Your performance is based on the work you put into practice,” said Ringler. “The biggest thing this year for me is my diet and taking my nutrition more serious.” “The exciting thing is these three wrestlers are all wrestling really well at the right time in the season,” said Grinnell Head Varsity Wrestling Coach Tony Farmer. “They upset guys (at districts) that were seated higher than them, avenging earlier losses in the season. Each of our first round opponents (at state) are likely kids they have wrestled earlier.” Class 2A wrestling gets underway at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 19. IHSAA State Championships Results for Grinnell 2A-106 - Eli Peiffer (26-21) place is unknown and scored 0.0 team points.
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