Mr. 200!

DES MOINES — One of the most decorated Iowa high school wrestlers in Southwest Iowa history earned career win No. 200 Thursday, Feb. 19, in his first round of action at the 2026 traditional state wrestling tournament.

Nodaway Valley senior Ashton Honnold became only the 30th Iowa high school wrestler all-time to surpass the two century mark.

Facing a familiar foe in Jack Sheeder from close-by Adair-Casey/Guthrie Center for the third time this season, Honnold captured the win over Sheeder, wasting very little time in scoring a pin. The official time was 28 seconds — one of the fastest of that day in any class or session.

“I’m very grateful to reach 200 wins,” Honnold said. “A lot of people don’t get enough matches or get injured or whatever to even get a shot at it in their high school careers. I am very grateful to have all the support in my corner and it has been a good run.”

Sheeder was seeded 18th, while Honnold came in as top seed. A takedown 13 seconds into the match allowed the fall.“200 wins feels great,” Honnold said. “It’s a goal I had. I got 47 wins my freshman year and I knew that if I worked hard I could have a shot. I share this accomplishment with everyone, from coaches (I’ve had so many I’ve lost count), my wrestling partners Caleb (Christensen) and Trent (Warner) — everyone pushes me. My family has been really behind me too. That includes my brother Arik and friend Jaydn Cooper (of Winterset),” who both helped him warm up at state before each match.

Both of Honnold’s first two wins against Sheeder were in the second period.

“Ashton has wrestled Sheeder a couple of times this year, I’m proud of him. In the moment we are locked in, but as a dad, this is really special,” NV head coach Brad Honnold said after the first round. “He has worked so hard to get this and get a chance to win a third title.“

What a venue to get your 200th win and do it in dominant fashion. You have kids that are going for certain milestones and they carry the weight of the world on their shoulders. Going for a state title, I don’t think that he carries that. He is all about business and taking everything in and he has put himself in a good position.”

Another exclusive club Honnold became a part of in graduating from his high school career is the one of 16 wrestlers who have finished with less than 10 career losses, as his career would eventually finish up at 203-9.

Since 2020, Honnold is only the ninth wrestler to reach 200 wins. Others have been Dominic Lopez of New London (2020-23), Cael Happel of Lisbon (2017-20), Marcel Lopez of New London (2019-22), Chase McLaren of Atlantic (2017-20), Adam Allard of West Sioux, Hawarden (2017-20), CJ Walrath of Burlington Notre Dame (2020-23, Brody Brisker from Wilton (2021-24 and Ben Smith of Iowa Valley, Marengo (2017-20). The top three winningest in history are Lopez (221), Nathan Haynes of Missouri Valley (219) and Happel.

Honnold admitted he would have liked to have taken care of his 200th victory at the Class 1A district meet at Interstate 35 last Saturday, but he came up just one match short because of only having two matches that day.

“It’s pretty sweet to do it at the state tournament,” he said.Honnold’s career didn’t end with this year’s state tournament — he has signed with the University of Northern Iowa, where he’ll continue his academic and wrestling pursuits next year at the Division I level.“

I want to continue to push myself when I get there,” he said. “There is always someone out there working hard to get better and I want to make sure I am working just as hard.”