2026 Class 3 Boys 157lb State Preview

02/23/2026 1:45 PM

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Gunner Puryear from Willard is the favorite to win the 2026 Class 3 Boys 157lb State title.
The bracket is analyzed in quarters, highlighting key wrestlers in each section.
Semifinal matchups are predicted to feature Ben Holee vs. Aaron Dillingham and Nicholas Redcay vs. Gunner Puryear.
The projected medal stand includes Gunner Puryear in 1st place, followed by Aaron Dillingham, Kale Davis, and Brody Narron.
Teams like Helias Catholic, Kearney, and Carl Junction have key competitors in this weight class with implications for the team title.

2026 Class 3 Boys 157lb State Preview

The roadmap to the state podium is here. We’ve analyzed the 2026 Class 3 Boys 157lb bracket using season-long head-to-head results and our established individual rankings to project the path to the finals.

The below information is based solely on our latest round of rankings. We fully understand wrestling has to happen on the mat, there will be countless upsets, and wrestlers will wrestle differently at state. Enjoy the week, and have a successful and safe week to everyone.

Deep Dive: View our complete Class 3 157lb Individual Rankings for a full breakdown of the field.

The Favorite

Gunner Puryear (Willard) enters as the #1 ranked wrestler in the state. With a dominant season record, Gunner is the front-runner to stand atop the podium in this bracket.

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