Taylor, a 2020 Fort Dodge graduate and state champion, captured his third Heart of America Athletic Conference title.

“It was a pretty good feeling to have everyone on the team win at every weight,” Taylor said. “I felt like we dominated and showed that we are on a different level.”

Ruffridge, a 2018 Pocahontas Area graduate and state champion, earned his third league championship.

“It feels good going to nationals with some positive momentum,” Ruffridge said. “This season has gone by super fast, and I’m just excited to go display all the hard work my teammates and myself have put into this year.”

—Photo by Doug Wells/Grand View Athletics Fort Dodge graduate Carson Taylor celebrates a win for the Vikings. Taylor recently won his second Heart of America Athletics Conference title.

The two helped lead the Vikings to their eighth-straight conference championship and the first ever two crown champions at every weight.

As nationals are a week away, they will try to help Grand View go back-to-back as national champions.

The national championships will be held in Wichita, Kansas next Friday and Saturday on March 3 and March 4.

The Vikings got back to the top NAIA last year, as their nine straight national title streak ended in 2021.

Taylor, who compiled 121 wins as a Dodger, cruised through the HAAC field winning two matches by fall and beating Joseph Lupton of Graceland 10-2 for his second crown.

“I can say we are all ready to go and will continue to get better as we head to nationals,” Taylor said. “This season has been great.

“My wrestling has improved. It’s great to see the results.”

Taylor was a runner-up in 2022 and was a conference champion as a true-freshman.

Entering his third postseason, Taylor has already compiled a fourth and third place finish at the national tournament, and as the top-ranked 133-pound NAIA wrestler, he’ll likely be the top-seed next week at the national tournament.

In his four years on campus, Taylor has garnered high honors, being tabbed an All-American in both his first two seasons. Taylor (22-3), through three seasons is 71-13 in his career.

“I have had a few losses and I wish I could have those matches back,” Taylor said. “Since we are nearing the end of the season, I’m more confident and locked in.

“I’m ready to put on a show at nationals.”

Ruffridge, who is ranked fourth in the nation at 141 pounds, had a technical fall and a decision before beating Jackson Wenberg of Graceland 13-3 for the league crown.

Ruffridge placed third last year and was a national qualifier as a freshman.

“The national tournament is just another tournament,” Ruffridge said. “Go in there, wrestled tough, solid, and smart and good things are going to happen for myself — I trust that.”