(AMES) The Iowa State wrestling program and head coach Kevin Dresser announced the addition of four prep wrestlers Thursday. Christian Castillo, Jacob Helgeson, TJ Koester and Carter Pearson all put pen to paper and officially became Cyclones on National Signing Day.
“At this time, it’s one of the smallest classes we have signed in our time at Iowa State, but I also think it is one of the most talented,” Dresser said. “We can’t wait to get these guys to Ames and get them in our practice room. These guys will raise the level of talent and competition in our room on day one.”
Iowa State’s signing class is ranked No. 15 nationally by FloWrestling. Christian Castillo is the highest-rated recruit in the class, checking in at No. 11 on MatScouts’ Class of 2025 Big Board.
While Castillo hails originally from Arizona, he is spending his senior year at Ames High School, meaning all four Cyclone signees will have graduated from an Iowa high school.
All four signees are set to arrive on campus for the 2025-26 season.
Here’s a look at the new additions:
Christian Castillo
Hometown: Glendale, Ariz.
High School: Valiant College Prep / Ames High School
Projected Weight Class: 125
Attended Valiant College Prep in Phoenix, Arizona before transferring to Ames High for his senior year … rated as the No. 11 overall recruit nationally by FloWrestling and No. 14 by MatScouts … listed as the No. 2 120-pounder nationally by FloWrestling … two-time Super 32 Champion (2022, ’24) and four-time placewinner … 2022 U17 World Silver Medalist (Freestyle) … also represented the United States in Greco-Roman at the 2022 U17 World Championships … won gold in Freestyle and Greco-Roman at the 2022 Pan-American Championships.
Carter Pearson
Hometown: Pleasant Hill, Iowa
High School: Southeast Polk
Projected Weight Class: 133/141
Wrestled at Southeast Polk High School … rated as the No. 113 recruit nationally by MatScouts … 2024 Iowa High School Class 3A state champion at 120 pounds … three-time state medalist … placed third as a freshman and sophomore … posted a 39-0 record en route to his state title as a junior … defeated Bettendorf’s Jake Knight, 1-0, in the state title match … helped the Rams to 2024 tournament and dual team titles.
Jacob Helgeson
Hometown: Johnston, Iowa
High School: Johnston
Projected Weight Class: 165/174
Prepped at Johnston High School … rated as the No. 160 prospect nationally by MatScouts … two-time Iowa High School Class 3A state champion (2023, ’24) … owns a 115-5 prep record entering his senior season … suffered just one loss (32-1) in his junior season and won a state title despite a torn labrum … undefeated (43-0) state champion as a sophomore … placed third as a freshman after tearing his ACL over the holidays … younger brother of current Cyclone wrestlers Caleb and Owen Helgeson … also played football and was one of the best linebackers in the state … second on the team with 49 tackles, including five for loss and a sack … also had two interceptions.
TJ Koester
Hometown: Bettendorf, Iowa
High School: Bettendorf
Projected Weight Class: 141
Prepped at Bettendorf High School … rated as the No. 172 recruit nationally by MatScouts … tabbed as IAwrestle’s No. 1 132-pounder in Iowa Class 3A to begin the 2024-25 season … enters senior season with a 127-7 prep record … two-time Iowa High School Class 3A state champion (2022, ’24) … three-time state medalist … 43-1 record en route to his state title as a junior, avenging his only loss of the year in the state finals … placed third as a sophomore with a 43-5 record … finished with a 41-1 record and a state title as a freshman … 2023 Fargo All-American at 126 pounds (runner-up) … runner-up at USA Wrestling’s 2023 National High School Recruiting Showcase.
