Another year, another Division I wrestler from Sunnyside’s dynasty.
Sunnyside senior Xavier Chavez, a state champion at 150 pounds last year with the Blue Devils after earning two titles at Eloy Santa Cruz Valley, signed with Big Ten power Iowa on Thursday afternoon.
Chavez, whose brother Diego Chavez was a four-time state champ at Santa Cruz Valley, capped his 18-5 season last year with a run to the title. He was part of Sunnyside’s 39th state championship team in February.
“Iowa is a great place,” Xavier said of signing with the Hawkeyes. “It felt like home. The coaches are real uppity; they get you going. I think, ultimately, that’s what I like.
“When I go to battle on the wrestling mat, those are the guys I want behind me. The teammates felt like family as well, kind of like what it was when I came to Sunnyside. I’m excited to get over there, but I’ve got to close this chapter of my life first, but definitely excited to get over there and get going.”
Xavier is the third former Sunnyside wrestler to sign with Iowa in the last seven years, following Jesse Ybarra in 2020 and Sebastian Robles in 2021.
Since 2017-18, when Roman Bravo-Young signed with Penn State, Sunnyside has produced at least one NCAA Division I wrestler every year and 12 overall.
“I think they’re real high-paced, they grind and toward the end of the match, you’re going to be tired, and they’re going to dog you out,” Xavier said of Iowa to Bobby Rodriguez of Jet Sports Network. “I think that fits my style perfectly because I want to dominate and they want to dominate, so I think it’s perfect.
Sunnyside High School NCAA Division I Champions
- Sergio Vega: Won the 2026 NCAA Division I national championship at 141 pounds for Oklahoma State. He made history as the first true freshman since 1947 to complete an undefeated season (24-0) with a national title.
- Audrey Jimenez: Captured her first collegiate national title in 2026 at the inaugural NCAA Women’s Wrestling Championships, competing for Lehigh at 110 pounds. She finished her championship season with a perfect 23-0 record.
- Roman Bravo-Young: A two-time NCAA Division I national champion for Penn State, winning back-to-back titles at 133 pounds in 2021 and 2022. He finished his collegiate career as a four-time All-American with a 101-10 record.
- Nate Gallick: Won the 2006 NCAA Division I national championship at 141 pounds for Iowa State. He went 35-0 during his championship season and was a three-time All-American.
- Eric Larkin: Captured the 2003 NCAA Division I national championship at 149 pounds for Arizona State. In the same year, he won the Dan Hodge Trophy, recognized as the highest individual honor in college wrestling.
- Eddie Urbano: Won the 1985 NCAA Division I national championship at 150 pounds for Arizona State.
Recommended for you
