Koufax Christensen, Waukee NW's state wrestling champion, commits to North Dakota State

The North Dakota State wrestling program might be building an Iowa recruiting pipeline.

Koufax Christensen, a two-time Class 3A state champion for Waukee Northwest, announced his commitment to North Dakota State late Sunday night. He chose the Bison over South Dakota State and Northern Iowa, among others. He projects at 125/133.

"I had a great relationship with the coaches and teammates," Christensen told the Register. "I felt that they were super committed to me and helping me get better."

Christensen is the second Iowa high-schooler to commit to North Dakota State this month. Just two weeks ago, Max Magayna, a three-time state champion for Columbus Catholic, announced his commitment to North Dakota State. They are the first two known commitments in the Bison's 2024 recruiting class.

For many years, it was South Dakota State's wrestling program that successfully recruited Iowa. Thanks to assistant coach Cody Caldwell, a Waverly-Shell Rock grad, the Jackrabbits snatched many of Iowa's top talents — Alburnett's Tanner Sloan, an NCAA finalist this season and U23 world silver medalist; Southeast Polk's Cade DeVos, a three-time NCAA qualifier; and many more.

It appears North Dakota State may have solved the recruiting riddle. This past season, McGwire Midkiff, from Council Bluffs Thomas Jefferson, was an NCAA qualifier at 133 pounds. Previously, Cordell Eaton, from North Scott, was an NCAA qualifier in 2020.

A couple years ago, Bison coach Roger Kish landed a commitment from Spencer Mooberry, a state champ from Osage. Mooberry, who's provided depth at 197 in recent years, has been outspoken publicly about his desire to build an Iowa-to-Fargo pipeline. Behind the scenes, he's helped Kish recruit his home state.

"They need to be paying Spencer the way he's recruiting," Christensen said.

In Christensen, NDSU is getting a fast-rising lightweight star. He's a three-time state finalist and two-time state champ with a 119-8 career record. This past season, he went 47-1 and won the Class 3A state title at 120 pounds. He also took second at USA Wrestling's high school recruiting showcase in October.

Christensen is just the fourth in-state wrestler in the 2024 recruiting class to commit to a Division I program. In addition to he and Magayna going to North Dakota State, Linn-Mar's Kane Naaktgeboren is headed to Iowa State, and Carter Freeman, Christensen's Waukee Northwest teammate, committed to Northern Iowa.

"Extremely grateful for the opportunity to wrestle at the next level," Christensen wrote in an Instagram caption, where he announced his commitment. "I’m excited to continue (my) academic and athletic career at North Dakota State. Thanks to all coaches, family and friends who’ve helped me along the way."

Iowa high school wrestling, 2024 college commitments

• Waukee Northwest's Carter Freeman, Northern Iowa

• Linn-Mar's Kane Naaktgeboren, Iowa State

• Columbus Catholic's Max Magayna, North Dakota State

• Waukee Northwest's Koufax Christensen, North Dakota State

Cody Goodwin covers wrestling and high school sports for the Des Moines Register. Follow him on Twitter at@codygoodwin.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Waukee NW's Koufax Christensen commits to North Dakota State wrestling