Max Magayna, Columbus Catholic's three-time Iowa state wrestling champ, commits to North Dakota State
Max Magayna, Columbus Catholic's three-time state wrestling champion, announced his college commitment on Tuesday morning — and he'll be taking his talents outside the state of Iowa.
Magayna chose North Dakota State, picking the Bison over the likes of Northern Iowa, South Dakota State, Navy and Rutgers, among others. He projects at 174/184 pounds.
"I picked them because they have a trade school program that will help me get to the career I want, and that's working in the electrician field," Magayna, who has since transferred to Waterloo East High School, told the Register. "It was a very good offer."
Magayna has been a dominant force in Iowa's Class 1A for the last three years, winning state titles at 152, 160, and 170 pounds. He has compiled a 139-4 career record for the Sailors, with 115 career pins — including 107 that have come in the first period.
Nationally, Magayna is still scratching the surface. He won USA Wrestling's national recruiting showcase event in 2022, then took seventh at the Super 32 Challenge last October. He is currently ranked No. 10 nationally at 165 pounds by MatScouts, and is considered the No. 32 overall prospect in the 2024 class.
Under head coach Roger Kish, North Dakota State has had some recent success recruiting Iowa high schoolers. This past season, McGwire Midkiff, from Council Bluffs Thomas Jefferson, was an NCAA qualifier at 133 pounds, and Osage's Spencer Mooberry has provided depth at 197 behind three-time NCAA qualifier Owen Pentz.
"It's been a ride," Magayna wrote in an Instagram post, announcing his decision. "I can't think my family, friends, and coaches enough for making this possible. Without the help from you guys, this wouldn't be possible, so for that, thank you to anyone who has made an effect on my career."
Magayna is the third in-state wrestler in the 2024 class to commit to a Division I program, joining Waukee Northwest's Carter Freeman, another three-time state champ, who picked Northern Iowa, and Linn-Mar's Kane Naaktgeboren, a Class 3A state finalist this past season who chose Iowa State.
Iowa high school wrestling, 2024 college commitments
Columbus Catholic's Max Magayna, 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: Max Magayna, 3-time state wrestling champ, commits to North Dakota St.
