Get Ready for the 2026 IGHSAU Girls Wrestling Championships

Insights from Eric Braley

What do you like about being an announcer for girls wrestling?

I love high school girls wrestling because it’s built on grit and determination. Every match tells a story of discipline and heart, and being an announcer puts me front row for those moments. It’s a chance to witness the passion and future of Iowa wrestling all in one place, with everything on the line on the final day of the high school wrestling season. There is truly nothing better.

What should we watch for?

• With this being only the fourth IGHSAU-sanctioned girls state tournament and expanded coverage on Iowa PBS, the spotlight is brighter than ever.
• You're going to witness some of the toughest, fastest-growing talent in the sport competing on the biggest stage.

Insights from Kyle Klingman

What do you like about being an announcer for girls wrestling?

High school wrestling is the ultimate, and it is the primary reason I fell in love with this sport. My high school won state wrestling championships when I was a teenager, and it captured my imagination. Even now, I remain captivated by the journey to win a state title. State champions from my youth are still larger-than-life. That's the power of winning a state championship in Iowa. It means something more here. One's wrestling accomplishments resonate long after graduation. It's part of the fabric of who we are.

Girls' high school wrestling has taken this sport to an even higher level. The support is second-to-none, and the fiercest rivals have an inherent respect for each other. And the fans are loud. I watched Iowa PBS broadcast the state wrestling championships as a kid. I would record every state tournament on a VHS tape and rewatch it over and over. Providing play-by-play for a broadcast is beyond anything I could imagine. Iowa PBS is a reason Iowa is known globally for wrestling. Its unprecedented coverage set a standard that is still being followed.

What should we watch for?

• Pins can happen fast, so look for bar arms and cradles when a wrestler is on top.
• Iowa has several nationally ranked wrestlers who are fun to watch. Many have faced the best in the country this season and will look to impose their will on the mat.
• Overtime is tough on coaches and parents but thrilling for fans. Most overtime matches are decided in sudden victory from the neutral position, but ultimate tiebreakers can be more than a little nerve-racking.