February 04, 2026
Local NewsState & National

Wrestlers reach 20-win threshold in Corning

Wolverines sweep Southeast Warren, Southwest Valley

By Ryan Stonebraker
Nodaway Valley's Silas Pieken gets nearfall points, with Southwest Valley's Lucas James on his back, during their 175-pound match Thursday in Corning. Pieken, who had only wrestled once at the varsity level this season, stepped in with two big pins that night to help his team tremendously.

Nodaway Valley's Silas Pieken gets nearfall points, with Southwest Valley's Lucas James on his back, during their 175-pound match Thursday in Corning. Pieken, who had only wrestled once at the varsity level this season, stepped in with two big pins that night to help his team tremendously. (Dan Dickinson)

CORNING — The Nodaway Valley Wolverines captured dual wins Nos. 19 and 20 of the season with victories over Pride of Iowa Conference foes Southeast Warren/Melcher-Dallas and Southwest Valley on Thursday in Corning.

It marked the third straight 20-win season for the Wolverines, who were 20-2 entering Tuesday night’s Class 1A regional duals at Logan-Magnolia — their fourth consecutive appearance in the event. Nodaway Valley closed the regular season ranked 16th in the IHSAA dual team rankings.

NV head coach Brad Honnold said he was especially proud of his team’s resolve following the performance in Corning.

“Tonight may have been one of the proudest nights I’ve had as a coach for our team,” Honnold said. “Much like many teams across the state this season, we’ve been battling injuries and illness. It would have been easy to chalk it up — being without three-fourths of our varsity starters — and concede a couple of duals against two teams that have beaten some good teams this year. Instead, we challenged the kids.”

Honnold said the results were impressive because of how selfless the younger wrestlers were in stepping up behind the team’s leaders.

In addition to winning their final two regular-season duals, Wolverine senior Ashton Honnold broke another school record, recording his 109th career pin. The previous mark was held by 2025 graduate Trent Warner.

Seven Wolverines went 2-0 on the night: Trevyn Colton, Jett Christensen, Ty Strode, Matthew Nelson, Silas Pieken, Caleb Christensen and Ashton Honnold. Colton won by forfeit in both duals at 113, while Christensen, Nelson and Pieken each recorded two pins.

Pieken, who entered the night with just one varsity match on his resume, was especially impressive, earning pins against Southeast Warren and Southwest Valley.

“The star of the night goes to Silas Pieken,” Honnold said. “With us needing to do some shifting, he got his chance tonight and took full advantage of it. Silas secured two pins in both duals, each of which proved pivotal in ensuring we won.”

Strode, returning after missing time with illness, went 2-0 with a pin and a technical fall. Ashton Honnold picked up a win by pin and another by forfeit at 285. At 190, Caleb Christensen also went 2-0 with a forfeit win and a major decision.

Josh Nelson won by forfeit at 106 and dropped a close decision to state-ranked Hudson Cox. Nelson is ranked fifth and Cox third at the weight class in the latest Class 1A rankings. Derek Raasch also recorded a pin at 165 in the Wolverines’ win over Southeast Warren.

Honnold noted that Jett Christensen, Strode, Zach Nelson and Kenan Kadric each wrestled selflessly by bumping up weight classes, while Quentin Shaull showed continued improvement in his match against Southwest Valley.

In the opening dual against Southeast Warren/Melcher-Dallas, Nodaway Valley trailed 15-6 before rallying to outscore the Warhawks 39-18 the rest of the way. A key stretch of wins by Matthew Nelson at 157, Raasch at 165, Pieken at 175 and a major decision from Caleb Christensen at 190 gave the Wolverines a 39-27 lead. Nodaway Valley closed the dual with a pin at 285.

In the night’s second dual, the Wolverines defeated Southwest Valley, 47-35. Forfeits to Josh Nelson and Colton gave NV a 12-0 lead before the Timberwolves tied the score with two forfeits of their own. Wins by Christensen via technical fall in 5:56 at 132 and Strode by pin in 2:54 at 138 pushed Nodaway Valley ahead 23-12. Southwest Valley briefly took a 24-23 lead after eight weights, but the Wolverines won four of the final six matches to secure the victory.