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Dru Ayala commits to Iowa
Dru Ayala of Fort Dodge, Iowa has committed to the University of Iowa. Ayala continues a tradition of brothers competing for Iowa Wrestling as he is the younger brother of Drake Ayala who is the projected starter at 125 lbs. for the Hawks this season.
Dru has had a great career at Fort Dodge heading into his senior season. He placed fifth as a freshman and was a state runner-up the past two seasons with a 106-12 career record.
FloWrestling has Ayala ranked #14 in the country at 113 lbs. but he will compete at 120 lbs. this season. He is projected to compete at 125 for the Hawks.
Ayala joins the Iowa Wrestling Recruiting Class of 2024 that includes Angelo Ferrari, Miguel Estrada, and Keyan Hernandez.
Iowa Wrestling Recruiting Class of 2024
Angelo Ferrari – 175 lbs.
Miguel Estrada – 144 lbs.
Keyan Hernandez – 126 lbs.
Dru Ayala – 120 lbs.
As I have done for years I will follow all of the matches for Ayala and all of our incoming recruits as they compete in their senior season of high school. I will post a blog on Friday with a schedule of where our recruits are competing and a follow up blog with results.
Welcome aboard Dru Ayala.
It is great to be an Iowa Wrestling fan.
Go Hawks!
Tickets for Women’s Wrestling on sale today
Tickets for the inaugural University of Iowa Women’s Wrestling season go on sale today at 9 AM CST.
The Hawks will have two meets in legendary Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Iowa will host the Trailblazer Duals on Sunday, November 12 with duals against Sacred heart, Lindenwood, and Presbyterian.
On Sunday, January 21 the Hawks will host the Iowa Quad Duals with yet to be determined teams.
There will be additional competitions close by when the Hawks compete at Soldiers Salute (Dec 29-30) in Coralville. Iowa will also compete at the NWCA National Duals in Cedar Falls on January 5-6.
To order tickets:
Iowa starts their season on Saturday at East Stroudsburg at 3:30 CST.
Iowa is the first Power 5 Conference school to have women’s wrestling.
I am expecting a large crowd at both of the home dual meets.
I cannot wait.
It is great to be an Iowa Wrestling fan.
Go Hawks!
Hernandez places third at National HS Recruiting Showcase
Incoming recruit Keyan Hernandez placed third at the National High School Recruiting Showcase in Des Moines this weekend. Hernandez went 5-1 to place third in a deep weight class at 126. This was the fifth time Hernandez has been an All American at this tournament.
After opening round wins of 4-1 and 1-0, Hernandez defeated Jackston Parker 3-1 in the quarterfinals. In the semifinals Hernandez dropped a 6-5 decision to eventual champ Caio Aron. Hernandez then won two matches in consolations to place third.
Hernandez is a three-time state champion from Billings (West HS), Montana and is a member of the Iowa Wrestling Recruiting Class of 2023.
National High School Recruiting Showcase
Keyan Hernandez (MT) dec Gavin Hanrahan (RTC) 4-1
Keyan Hernandez (MT) dec Emmitt Newton (DCEW) 1-0
Keyan Hernandez (MT) dec Jackston Parker (TIWC) 3-1
Caio Aron (BWA) dec Keyan Hernandez (MT) 6-5
Keyan Hernandez (MT) dec Gianni Bottone (SC)SV-1 7-3
Keyan Hernandez (MT) dec Michael Lopez (CO) (6-1)
It is great to be an Iowa Wrestling fan.
Go Hawks!
Deede to compete in NWCA All-Star Classic
Marylynne Deede of the University of Iowa will compete at the 2023 NWCA All Star Classic on Tuesday, November 21 at 6 PM CST. Deede will face Latifah McBride of Life at 160 lbs. at Rec Hall on the campus of Penn State.
Deede is ranked #1 in the NCAA rankings and McBride is ranked #1 in NAIA.
Deede transferred to Iowa from Augsburg where she was a national champion last year and a four-time All American. She has one year of eligibility remaining.
Deede, originally from Springville, Utah, has competed at 155 lbs. for her college career. She placed sixth in 2020 and third in both 2021 and 2022. This past season Deede won the NCWWC 155 lbs. national title with a 31-2 record with 8 pins and 18 tech falls.
The NWCA All Star Classic will be streamed live on FloWrestling.
I will have a follow up blog with results.
It is great to be an Iowa Wrestling fan.
Go Hawks!
Hernandez to compete at National HS Recruiting Showcase
Incoming Iowa Wrestling recruit Keyan Hernandez will be competing at the National High School Recruiting Showcase in Des Moines this weekend. There is a great group of nationally ranked wrestlers registered to compete.
Hernandez is registered at 126 lbs.
Hernandez is a three-time state champion from Billings (West HS), Montana and is a member of the Iowa Wrestling Recruiting Class of 2023.
The competition begins at 3 PM CST on Friday (Oct 27) and concludes with the finals at 3 PM Saturday (Oct 28).
Coverage and results are available on TrackWrestling.
I will have a follow up blog with results.
It is great to be an Iowa Wrestling fan.
Go Hawks!
Welker to compete in Pan Ams
Kylie Welker of the University of Iowa will be a late addition on Team USA to compete in the Pan American Championships. Welker will be competing at 76 KG in the Senior division.
The Pan Ams will be in Santiago, Chile with the competition on November 1-4.
Welker is a redshirt freshman from Franksville, Wisconsin (Waterford Union HS) where she was the #1 recruit in the country in 2022.
Welker won the U20 Pan American Championships in dominating fashion last summer by capturing Gold at 76 KG/167 lbs. in Santiago, Chile.
I will have a follow up blog with results.
It is great to be an Iowa Wrestling fan.
Go Hawks!
Iowa-Iowa State dual on ESPN Nov 26
Great news for wrestling fans. The Iowa at Iowa State dual meet on Sunday, November 26 will be aired live on ESPN. The Iowa Wrestling schedule has a 2 PM CST start time. I will let you know if the start time changes due to the ESPN showing.
BaschAMania The Podcast had a post online on this news item.
What a great opportunity for our proud wrestling state to entertain the entire country with competitive college wrestling.
I have no doubt that Hilton Coliseum will have a big crowd of fans ready for the dual meet. In the InterMat Rankings Iowa is #8 in Tournament and Iowa State is #11. In the Dual Meet Rankings Iowa is #8 and Iowa State is #10.
The Iowa-Iowa State dual meet is nothing short of legendary. One month from today another chapter to this great rivalry will take place on ESPN. That is something to look forward to.
Iowa opens the 2023-24 season next Saturday, November 4 on the road with a dual meet at Cal-Baptist in Riverside, California at 8 PM CST.
It is great to be an Iowa Wrestling fan.
Go Hawks!
Sieperda named Director of Operations for Women’s Wrestling
Hannah Sieperda has been named as the Director of Women’s Wrestling Operations. Sieperda is a graduate of the University of Iowa and was a manager for the Iowa Men’s Wrestling team from 2016-2021.
Originally from Rock Rapids, Iowa she has been the Iowa Track and Field Director of Operations since April of 2022. Before her position with the track program Sieperda was the Assistant Director of the University of Iowa Trademark Licensing and Iowa Athletics Hall of Fame and Museum.
Sieperda is currently pursuing a law degree.
Welcome aboard Hannah Sieperda.
It is great to be an Iowa Wrestling fan.
Go Hawks!
Iowa Women’s Wrestling tickets
The University of Iowa has announced that tickets will be on sale for the Women’s Wrestling season next week. This will be a historic season for the program as the first Power 5 Conference college to have women’s wrestling.
To order tickets:
Iowa Women’s Wrestling Tickets Announced – University of Iowa Athletics (hawkeyesports.com)
Iowa will have home dual meets with the Trailblazer Duals on Sunday, November 12 and the Iowa Quad Duals on Sunday, January 21.
You also have an opportunity to watch the team compete at Soldier Salute on December 29-30 in Coralville and NCWA National Duals in Cedar Falls on January 5-6.
Iowa will open the season with a dual meet on Saturday, November 4 at East Stroudsburg (PA).
Complete schedule:
Schedule – University of Iowa Athletics (hawkeyesports.com)
It is great to be an Iowa Wrestling fan.
Go Hawks!
Hernandez competing at Super 32
Incoming Iowa Wrestling recruit Keyan Hernandez is registered to compete at Super 32 this weekend. Super 32 is recognized as the best folkstyle high school wrestling tournament in the country every year.
Ranked wrestlers from around the country will make their way to the Greensboro Coliseum Special Events Center in Greensboro, North Carolina this Saturday and Sunday, October 21-22.
Hernandez, a three-time state champion from Billings, Montana (West HS) is not seeded at 120.
Miguel Estrada, a three-time state champion from California ranked #3 at 144 by MatScouts was registered for Super 32 at 150. In the official seeds just released by MatScouts Estrada is not listed.
For the Super 32 high school division, weights 106-132 will begin at 7 AM Saturday. Weights 138-Hwt will begin at 1:30 PM. Wrestling begins at 7 AM on Sunday. All times listed are CST.
Full coverage of Super 32 will be available on the FloWrestling premium service. Brackets with results will be available on FloArena.
Hernandez and Estrada along with Angelo Ferrari are the Iowa Wrestling Recruiting Class of 2024.
It is great to be an Iowa Wrestling fan.
Go Hawks!