Greenfield has spent the past three months studying under Swenson inside the South Hamilton wrestling room. Sure, he’s been humbled some, but he’s learned. And he’s thrived.

“Practicing with Lane has made a huge difference,” Greenfield, the Hawks’ 182-pounder, said. “He really puts it to me.”

Pupil and teacher will both be out for the same goal this evening — Heart of Iowa Conference gold.

South Hamilton will head to Greene County High School in Jefferson for the league tournament, as wrestling is slated for a 5 p.m. start.

South Hamilton 182-pounder Brent Greenfield stands in the center of the circle awaiting his opponent on Tuesday. The junior takes a 27-4 record with 24 pins into today’s HOIC tournament. DFJ photo/Troy Banning

Swenson, ranked third (Class 1A) at 170 pounds, is an overwhelming favorite to win a second straight conference crown. At 27-1 with 20 pins, the newest member of the Hawks’ 100 wins club hasn’t been challenged by an HOIC rival this season, but he’s taking nothing for granted.

This is what’s currently in front of him. And the state title contender says that, right now, it’s the most important tournament of the season.

“My goal this year has been to have fun and take each match as the most important one of the year,” Swenson said. “(Today) is going to be a big meet for me. I’ve already proven it once, so now I’ve got to prove it again.”

Greenfield didn’t begin the season as an expected league title contender, but he’ll take the mat today determined to prove the doubters wrong. A sub-.500 grappler a season ago, the 6-foot-3 junior has taken off this winter. He enters the tournament at 27-4 with a team-high 24 pins, including a decking of West Marshall’s Grant Nason, who is expected to be his biggest challenger.

“(Winning a conference title) is a pretty big goal of mine, it’s been my goal basically my whole high school career,” Greenfield said. “I think this year I’ll be able to achieve it.”

Fourth-ranked 195-pounder Trevor Thompson (17-3) will return to the lineup for the first time in a week and will be another front runner for the Hawks. He was a silver medalist a season ago.

Throw in talented 220-pounder Colton Willis (20-7) and budding freshman 113-pounder Keyton Remsburg (16-9) and South Hamilton has the pieces to push for a higher finish than its sixth-place standing in 2020. But with four open weights, there won’t be any room for error.

“I do think there’s a lot to prove and if we wrestle well, I think we can get a lot of guys in the top there or four and hopefully some guys in the championship,” South Hamilton head coach Dan Brodie said. “We’re getting to that point of the year where we’ve got to start wrestling our best.”

The team race should be wide open. Gilbert and North Polk dominated the field a season ago, but both bolted for the Raccoon River Conference. PCM and Greene County finished third and fourth a season ago and both have a pair of returning champions.

Seven ranked individuals are expected to compete, highlighted by No. 1 (2A) 120-pounder McKinley Robbins of Greene County, a 2020 league champion and state runner-up at 106.

What: HOIC Wrestling Tournament.

When: Today, 5 p.m.

Where: Greene County High School, Jefferson.

Returning Individual Champions (Weight in 2020): McKinley Robbins, Greene County (106); Landon Fenton, PCM (132); Colby Tool, PCM (152); Lane Swenson, South Hamilton (170); Sawyer Schiltz, Greene County (220).

Ranked Individuals

Class 1A

170 — 3. Lane Swenson, South Hamilton.

195 — 4. Trevor Thompson, South Hamilton.

Class 2A

106 — 5. Kade Blume, Roland-Story.

120 — 1. McKinley Robbins, Greene County.

145 — 4. Landon Fenton, PCM.

152 — 3. Colby Tool, PCM.

South Hamilton Lineup (Expected)

106 — Holden Klein (10-14). 113 — Keyton Remsburg (16-9). 120 — Open. 126 — Open. 132 — Open. 138 — Carter Stolee (6-10). 145 — Connor Caudle (3-11). 152 — Blake Harris (6-16). 160 — Owen Duns (6-15). 170 — Lane Swenson (27-1). 182 — Brent Greenfield (27-4). 195 — Trevor Thompson (17-3). 220 — Colton Willis (20-7). 285 — Open.