Iowa-Iowa State. When the schedules come out every year you circle the date. The 2024 edition of Iowa-Iowa State will take place at 6 PM on Saturday, November 23. Legendary Carver-Hawkeye Arena will be packed with a pre-season sold out crowd.

When you are a wrestling fan in this great state, this is what you look forward to.

I have no doubt that this year’s dual meet will be another exciting and entertaining event.

There are multiple wrestlers listed at nearly every weight. Assuming the ranked wrestlers compete, Iowa will be favored at six weight and Iowa State at four. With that thought in mind you would have to call this dual meet a toss up.

The dual meet will be decided at 133,149, and 157.

Of all the great matchups I am most looking forward to 149 with #4 Kyle Parco vs. #6 Anthony Echemendia. These are two very talented seniors that will entertain us. The winner of this match could decide the dual meet.

At 133 we have #7 Drake Ayala vs. #4 Evan Frost. Don’t blink during this match. This will be an explosive match that will be fun to watch.

#1 Jacori Teemer vs. #8 Paniro Johnson at 157 also has the potential for fireworks. Should they start at 125 this match will lead into the halftime break and could set the tone for the rest of the meet.

I am also looking forward to #12 Ben Kueter vs. #4 Yonger Bastida at Hwt. especially if the dual meet is on the line.

Hey, every match is going to be a battle as we as fans anticipate and expect. 

Let the hype begin and let’s enjoy wrestling in Iowa.

Probable Lineups

125 Joey Cruz So. Fresno, California/Bullard 0-1 -or—/27/–/– Kale Petersen R-Fr. Rockwell, Iowa/Greene County 2-0 vs. 15/–/–/ Kysen Terukina Sr. Ewa Beach, Hawaii/Kamehameha 0-0 -or- Osmany Diversent Fr. La Habana, Cuba/EIDE Martires de Barbados 5-1 -or- Adrian Meza Fr. Laveen, Arizona/Valiant College Prep 7-0

133 8/9/7/7 Drake Ayala Jr. Fort Dodge, Iowa/Fort Dodge 2-1 vs. 4/5/5/4 Evan Frost So. Metairie, Louisiana/Dowling Catholic (IA) 1-0

141 –/31/–/– Ryder Block R-Fr Waverly, Iowa/Waverly-Shell Rock 2-1 vs. –/–/21/– Zach Redding Sr. Manorville, New York/Eastport-South Manor 0-2 -or- Jacob Frost So. Metairie, Louisiana/Dowling Catholic (IA) 5-1 

149 4/4/4/4 Kyle Parco Sr. Danville, California/De La Salle 3-0 vs. 6/7/6/7 Anthony Echemendia Sr. Cabaiguan, Cuba/Sunnyside (Ariz.) 2-0

157 1/1/1/1 Jacori Teemer Grad. Long Beach, New York/Long Beach 2-0 vs. 9/10/10/8 Paniro Johnson R-So. Erie, Pennsylvania/Cathedral Prep 3-1

165 2/2/2/2 Michael Caliendo Jr. Geneva, Illinois/Batavia 3-0 vs. 9/9/–/9 MJ Gaitan So. Temecula, California/Temecula Valley 6-0 -or- –/–/26/– Connor Euton So. Westerville, Ohio/Westerville North 1-1

174  8/10/9/9 Nelson Brands Grad. Iowa City, Iowa/Iowa City West 2-1 or Patrick Kennedy Sr Kasson-Mantorville, Minnesota vs. Aiden Riggins R-So. Janesville, Iowa/Waverly-Shell Rock 0-2

184 8/7/5/7 Gabe Arnold R-Fr. Albany, Georgia/Iowa City 3-0 vs. 16/15/17/16 Evan Bockman Sr. Anchorage, Alaska/Grace Christian 2-0

197 1/2/1/1 Stephen Buchanan Grad. Loyal, Wisconsin/Loyal 3-0 vs. 17/20/14/– Christian Carroll R-Fr. Elkhart, Indiana/Jimtown 2-0

285 17/13/12/17  Ben Kueter R-Fr. Iowa City, Iowa/Iowa City 2-0 vs.4/4/4/5 Yonger Bastida Sr. Trinidad, Cuba/EIDE Lino Salabaria Pupo 0-0 -or- Daniel Herrera Fr. Indio, California/Ames (IA) 4-1 

^WIN/InterMat/Flo/AWN (Rankings based on weight class listed at) 

The Iowa-Iowa State dual meet will be live on BIGt(Premium service) at 6 PM CST on Saturday, November 23.

Steven Grace and Mark Ironside call the action on AM 800 KXIC and audio streamed online at HawkeySports.com via YouTube.

After Saturday Iowa will be in action next at the Journeymen Wrestling Uncivil War on Friday, December 6.

It is great to be an Iowa Wrestling fan.

Go Hawks!

The Iowa Women’s Wrestling team has moved up one spot to #1 in the NWCA Rankings. Iowa is #1 with 121 points followed by King University at 97 points and North Central third with 88 points.

Iowa was at 107 points in the preseason rankings as the #2 ranked team and King was #1.

The Hawks have six wrestlers ranked #1: Rianne Murphy(103), Ava Bayless(110), Brianna Gonzalez(117), Reese Larramendy(145), Kylie Welker(180), and Jaycee Foeller(207).  

New Hawks to the rankings include Rianne Murphy(#1-103), Emily Frost (#8-131), Kennedy Blades (#2-160), Rose Cassioppi (#9-160), Naomi Simon(#8-180) and Katja Osteen (#7-207).

Blades won silver at the Summer Olympics at 76kg/167 lbs. and is ranked #2. World medalist Macey Kilty made her Iowa Hawkeye debut on Saturday at 145 and is not ranked.

NWCA Rankings

Tournament Rankings

1. Iowa – 121
2. King – 97
3. North Central – 88

103 – Rianne Murphy #1

103 – Sterling Dias #2

110 – Ava Bayless #1

110 – Emillie Gonzalez #5

117 – Brianna Gonzalez #1

124 – Not ranked

131 – Skye Realin #7

131 – Emily Frost #8 

138 – Nanea Estrella #4

138 – Lilly Luft #6

145 – Reese Larramendy #1

145 – Ella Schmitt #5

160 – Kennedy Blades #2

160 – Rose Cassioppi #9

180 – Kylie Welker #1

180 – Naomi Simon #8

207 – Jaycee Foeller #1

207 – Katja Osteen #7

Iowa will compete next at the Missouri Valley Open in Marshall, Missouri on Friday and Saturday, November 22-23. FloWrestling will provide full coverage on their premium service.

Iowa will compete at home one more time this season with Iowa Duals II on Saturday, January 18. The Hawks will face Augustana and Grand View State starting at 6 PM.

From HawkeyeSports.com:

Single dual ticket sales are now available. Please call 1-800-IAHAWKS and select option 2 to be connected to a ticket sales representative or visit https://hawkeyesports.com/tickets/ to learn more.

It is great to be an Iowa Wrestling fan.

Go Hawks!

It was another full weekend of Iowa Wrestling. A recap before we move on to the next big week of wrestling.

On Friday the #2 ranked Iowa Hawkeyes shutout Bellarmine 49-0. It was a record breaking crowd at Knight Hall in Louisville, Kentucky where Iowa won all ten matches with two pins, six tech falls a major decision and a decision. 

Jacori Teemer needed just :24 to pin Gray Ortis at 157 and Ben Kueter :32 to pin Daulton Mayer at Hwt.

Kale Petersen made his Hawkeye varsity debut this season with a 26-6 tech fall at 125. 

Ryder Block(141), Kyle Parco(149), Mike Caliendo(165), Nelson Brands(174), and Stephen Buchanan(197) also had tech falls.

Drake Ayala had a major at 133 and Gabe Arnold won by a decision at 184.

Former Iowa Hawkeye Ned Shuck has been the head coach of Bellarmine since July 2021. Shuck, originally from Mapleton, Minnesota, graduated from the University of Iowa in 2005. 

Iowa is on the mat next Saturday, November 23 at 6 PM in sold out legendary Carver-Hawkeye Arena to face Iowa State.

Iowa 49 Bellarmine 0

125 – Kale Petersen (IOWA) over Jack Parker (BU) (TF 26-6 6:15)

133 – Drake Ayala (IOWA) over Trayce Eckman (BU) (MD 14-6)

141 – Ryder Block (IOWA) over David Mayora (BU) (TF 19-4 4:57)

149 – Kyle Parco (IOWA) over Zac Cowan (BU) (TF 21-4 5:37)

157 – Jacori Teemer (IOWA) over Gray Ortis (BU) (Fall 0:24)

165 – Mike Caliendo (IOWA) over Cole Nance (BU) (TF 21-6 4:02)

174 – Nelson Brands (IOWA) over Grant O`Dell (BU) (TF 20-5 6:17)

184 – Gabe Arnold (IOWA) over Devan Hendricks (BU) (Dec 5-3)

197 – Stephen Buchanan (IOWA) over Andrew Liber (BU) (TF 16-1 3:46)

285 – Ben Kueter (IOWA) over Daulton Mayer (BU) (Fall 0:32)

The University of Iowa Women’s Wrestling team had their home opener at the Trailblazer Duals on Saturday. Iowa defeated Cornell College 47-0 and William Jewell 25-3.

Against Cornell College the Hawks won five matches by fall, three by tech fall and two by forfeit. Katja Osteen at 207 had the quickest fall in :17.

In the dual with William Jewell, ranked #25 in NAIA, Iowa won nine matches with four tech falls, two falls, two forfeits, and a decision.

Iowa was 20-0 for the day with seven pins and eight tech falls.

#1 Iowa 47, Cornell College 0

103 — #1 Rianne Murphy (I) via forfeit
110 – Val Solorio (I) via forfeit
117 — #1 Brianna Gonzalez (I) tech. fall Cheyenne Mulford (C), 10-0
124 – Cali Leng (I) fall Addison Thrash (C), 1:01
131 – Emmily Patneaud (I) fall Kyla Andrew (C), 0:49
138 — #4 Nanea Estrella (I) fall Ciara Bryant-Gomez (C), 2:30
145 — #1 Reese Larramendy (I) tech. fall Jasmine McCaskel (C), 10-0
160 — #9 Rose Cassioppi (I) tech. fall Emily Grassham (C), 10-0
180 — #8 Naomi Simon (I) fall Camryn Aikanoff (C), 0:27
207 — #7 Katja Osteen (I) fall Danyia Warner (C), 0:17

#1 Iowa 43, #25 Willam Jewell 3

103 — #1 Rianne Murphy (I) via forfeit
110 — #5 Emilie Gonzalez (I) via forfeit
117 — #1 Brianna Gonzalez (I) tech. fall #9 Alex Waitsman (W), 12-2
124 – Cali Leng (I) dec. Emarie Bolosan (W), 5-4
131 – #7 Skye Realin (I) fall Shelby Kemp (W), 5:00
138 — #4 Nanea Estrella (I) tech. fall Alanis Cedeno (W), 11-0
145 – Macey Kilty (I) tech. fall Paige Barber (W), 10-0
160 — #2 Kennedy Blades (I) tech. fall Nylease Yzagere (W), 12-1
180 — #1 Kylie Welker (I) tech. fall Athena Willden (W), 11-0
207 — #1 Jaycee Foeller (I) fall Peyton Welt (W) 1:06

Iowa will compete next at the Missouri Valley Open in Marshall, Missouri on Friday and Saturday, November 22-23. FloWrestling will provide full coverage on their premium service.

Iowa will compete at home one more time this season with Iowa Duals II on Saturday, January 18. The Hawks will face Augustana and Grand View State starting at 6 PM.

From HawkeyeSports.com:

Single dual ticket sales are now available. Please call 1-800-IAHAWKS and select option 2 to be connected to a ticket sales representative or visit https://hawkeyesports.com/tickets/ to learn more.

Six Iowa Hawkeyes competed at the Grand View Open in Grimes, Iowa in the Open and Freshman/Sophomore divisions.

Angelo Ferrari(184), Caleb Rathjen(149) and Miguel Estrada(149 F/S) won titles. Dru Ayala(125) and Kael Voinovich(149) placed second and Joey Cruz(125) placed third.  

This was the collegiate debut for elite recruit Angelo Ferrari who won the 184 lbs. Open title. Ferrari was 5-0 with four tech falls and outscored his opponents 92-23. Ferrari was the overall #1 recruit in the country for 2024.

JOEY CRUZ – 125 POUNDS – THIRD PLACE
Joey Cruz dec. Clarence Lee Green (Lindsey Wilson), 11-6
Joey Cruz dec.  Anthony Hughes (Marian University),14-9
Joey Cruz dec. Osmany Diversent (Iowa State), 5-4
Gabe Gonzales (Grand View) dec. Joey Cruz (Iowa), 5-1
Joey Cruz won by no contest over Kyle Gollhofer (Northern Iowa), NC
Joey Cruz won by forfeit over Osmany Diversent (Iowa State), FF

KAEL VOINOVICH – 149 POUNDS – SECOND PLACE
Kael Voinovich major dec. Alec Peralta (SIUE), 12-4
Kael Voinovich major dec. Jaxon Morlan (Eastern Oregon), 9-1
Kael Voinovich inj. default Cole Ferguson (Grand View), 5:09
Kael Voinovich major dec. Darnai Heard (Grand View), 13-4
Caleb Rathjen (Iowa) dec. Kael Voinovich, 4-3

CALEB RATHJEN – 149 POUNDS – FIRST PLACE
Caleb Rathjen tech. fall Tyler Fouts (Briar Cliff), 18-2
Caleb Rathjen tech. fall Derrick Duryee, 15-0
Caleb Rathjen major dec. Walker Bents (Minnesota State), 15-5
Caleb Rathjen major dec. Carter Fousek (Iowa State), 19-7
Caleb Rathjen dec.  Adam Allard (Northern Iowa), 3-1
Caleb Rathjen dec. Kael Voinovich (Iowa), 4-3

ANGELO FERRARI – 184 POUNDS – FIRST PLACE
Angelo Ferrari tech. fall Jason Bowers (Friends), 21-5
Angelo Ferrari tech. fall Corey Holmes (Avila), 21-6
Angelo Ferrari dec. over Sawyer Hobbs (Providence), 9-2
Angelo Ferrari tech. fall Bryce Milster (Oklahoma City), 21-5
Angelo Ferrari tech. fall Caleb Helgeson (Iowa State), 20-5

DRU AYALA – 125 POUNDS – FRESHMAN/SOPHOMORE DIVISION – SECOND PLACE
Dru Ayala tech. fall Kaydon Mueller (Midland), 20-5
Dru Ayala pinned Cilus Cabral (Central Methodist), 2:41
Dru Ayala dec. Zane Donley (Pratt Community College), 8-2
Dru Ayala tech. fall Trevon Oehme (Southeast Community College), 20-3
Dru Ayala major dec. Deion Johnson (SIU Edwardsville), 10-0
Charlie Dykes (Central Missouri) dec. Dru Ayala, 9-6

MIGUEL ESTRADA – 149 POUNDS – FRESHMAN/SOPHOMORE DIVISION – FIRST PLACE
Miguel Estrada tech. fall Hudson Karr (William Woods), 21-6
Miguel Estrada pinned Samuel Silveria (North Idaho), 6:47
Miguel Estrada pinned Aidan Sutton (Iowa Central Community College), 2:26
Miguel Estrada pinned Talan Braswell (Labette Community College), 1:06
Miguel Estrada MFF Austin Ramirez (Providence), MFF
Miguel Estrada major dec. Keith Smith (Southeast Community College), 12-2

It is great to be an Iowa Wrestling fan.

Go Hawks!

The University of Iowa Women’s Wrestling team swept their home opener at the Trailblazer Duals on Saturday. Iowa defeated Cornell College 47-0 and William Jewell 25-3.

Against Cornell College the Hawks won five matches by fall, three by tech fall and two by forfeit. Katja Osteen at 207 had the quickest fall in :17.

In the dual with William Jewell, ranked #25 in NAIA, Iowa won five matches by tech falls, two falls, two forfeits, and a decision.

Iowa was 20-0 for the day with seven pins and eight tech falls.

This was the Iowa Hawkeye debut for Macey Kilty at 145 who won by a 10-0 tech fall. Kilty won a bronze medal at the 2024 Senior World Championships and a silver at the U23 World Championships in Tirana, Albania last month.

Kilty has won six age-level World medals and two senior level medals for Team USA. This is Kilty’s first year of competing at the collegiate level and she has one year of eligibility remaining.

#1 Iowa 47, Cornell College 0

103 — #1 Rianne Murphy (I) via forfeit
110 – Val Solorio (I) via forfeit
117 — #1 Brianna Gonzalez (I) tech. fall Cheyenne Mulford (C), 10-0
124 – Cali Leng (I) fall Addison Thrash (C), 1:01
131 – Emmily Patneaud (I) fall Kyla Andrew (C), 0:49
138 — #4 Nanea Estrella (I) fall Ciara Bryant-Gomez (C), 2:30
145 — #1 Reese Larramendy (I) tech. fall Jasmine McCaskel (C), 10-0
160 — #9 Rose Cassioppi (I) tech. fall Emily Grassham (C), 10-0
180 — #8 Naomi Simon (I) fall Camryn Aikanoff (C), 0:27
207 — #7 Katja Osteen (I) fall Danyia Warner (C), 0:17

#1 Iowa 43, #25 Willam Jewell 3

103 — #1 Rianne Murphy (I) via forfeit
110 — #5 Emilie Gonzalez (I) via forfeit
117 — #1 Brianna Gonzalez (I) tech. fall #9 Alex Waitsman (W), 12-2
124 – Cali Leng (I) dec. Emarie Bolosan (W), 5-4
131 – #7 Skye Realin (I) fall Shelby Kemp (W), 5:00
138 — #4 Nanea Estrella (I) tech. fall Alanis Cedeno (W), 11-0
145 – Macey Kilty (I) tech. fall Paige Barber (W), 10-0
160 — #2 Kennedy Blades (I) tech. fall Nylease Yzagere (W), 12-1
180 — #1 Kylie Welker (I) tech. fall Athena Willden (W), 11-0
207 — #1 Jaycee Foeller (I) fall Peyton Welt (W) 1:06

Iowa will compete next at the Missouri Valley Open in Marshall, Missouri on Friday and Saturday, November 22-23. FloWrestling will provide full coverage on their premium service.

Iowa will compete at home one more time this season with Iowa Duals II on Saturday, January 18. The Hawks will face Augustana and Grand View State starting at 6 PM.

From HawkeyeSports.com:

Single dual ticket sales are now available. Please call 1-800-IAHAWKS and select option 2 to be connected to a ticket sales representative or visit https://hawkeyesports.com/tickets/ to learn more.

It is great to be an Iowa Wrestling fan.

Go Hawks!

Six Iowa Hawkeyes competed at the Grand View Open in Grimes, Iowa in the Open and Freshman/Sophomore divisions.

Angelo Ferrari(184), Caleb Rathjen(149) and Miguel Estrada(149 F/S) won titles. Dru Ayala(125) and Kael Voinovich(149) placed second and Joey Cruz(125) placed third.  

This was the collegiate debut for elite recruit Angelo Ferrari who won the 184 lbs. Open title. Ferrari was 5-0 with four tech falls and outscored his opponents 92-23. Ferrari was the overall #1 recruit in the country for 2024.

2024 NCAA Qualifier Caleb Rathjen defeated true freshman Kael Voinovich in the Open finals 4-3 at 149.

Miguel Estrada was impressive in winning the Freshman/Sophomore title at 149. Estrada was 6-0 with three pins, a tech fall, a medical forfeit, and a 12-2 major in the finals.

Dru Ayala placed second at 125 in the Fresh/Soph division with a 5-1 record and Joey Cruz placed third at 125 in the Open division.

Ferrari, Estrada, Voinovich, and Ayala are in the Recruiting Class of 2024, Cruz is a sophomore and Rathjen is a junior.

JOEY CRUZ – 125 POUNDS – THIRD PLACE
Joey Cruz dec. Clarence Lee Green (Lindsey Wilson), 11-6
Joey Cruz dec.  Anthony Hughes (Marian University),14-9
Joey Cruz dec. Osmany Diversent (Iowa State), 5-4
Gabe Gonzales (Grand View) dec. Joey Cruz (Iowa), 5-1
Joey Cruz won by no contest over Kyle Gollhofer (Northern Iowa), NC
Joey Cruz won by forfeit over Osmany Diversent (Iowa State), FF

KAEL VOINOVICH – 149 POUNDS – SECOND PLACE
Kael Voinovich major dec. Alec Peralta (SIUE), 12-4
Kael Voinovich major dec. Jaxon Morlan (Eastern Oregon), 9-1
Kael Voinovich inj. default Cole Ferguson (Grand View), 5:09
Kael Voinovich major dec. Darnai Heard (Grand View), 13-4
Caleb Rathjen (Iowa) dec. Kael Voinovich, 4-3

CALEB RATHJEN – 149 POUNDS – FIRST PLACE
Caleb Rathjen tech. fall Tyler Fouts (Briar Cliff), 18-2
Caleb Rathjen tech. fall Derrick Duryee, 15-0
Caleb Rathjen major dec. Walker Bents (Minnesota State), 15-5
Caleb Rathjen major dec. Carter Fousek (Iowa State), 19-7
Caleb Rathjen dec.  Adam Allard (Northern Iowa), 3-1
Caleb Rathjen dec. Kael Voinovich (Iowa), 4-3

ANGELO FERRARI – 184 POUNDS – FIRST PLACE
Angelo Ferrari tech. fall Jason Bowers (Friends), 21-5
Angelo Ferrari tech. fall Corey Holmes (Avila), 21-6
Angelo Ferrari dec. over Sawyer Hobbs (Providence), 9-2
Angelo Ferrari tech. fall Bryce Milster (Oklahoma City), 21-5
Angelo Ferrari tech. fall Caleb Helgeson (Iowa State), 20-5

DRU AYALA – 125 POUNDS – FRESHMAN/SOPHOMORE DIVISION – SECOND PLACE
Dru Ayala tech. fall Kaydon Mueller (Midland), 20-5
Dru Ayala pinned Cilus Cabral (Central Methodist), 2:41
Dru Ayala dec. Zane Donley (Pratt Community College), 8-2
Dru Ayala tech. fall Trevon Oehme (Southeast Community College), 20-3
Dru Ayala major dec. Deion Johnson (SIU Edwardsville), 10-0
Charlie Dykes (Central Missouri) dec. Dru Ayala, 9-6

MIGUEL ESTRADA – 149 POUNDS – FRESHMAN/SOPHOMORE DIVISION – FIRST PLACE
Miguel Estrada tech. fall Hudson Karr (William Woods), 21-6
Miguel Estrada pinned Samuel Silveria (North Idaho), 6:47
Miguel Estrada pinned Aidan Sutton (Iowa Central Community College), 2:26
Miguel Estrada pinned Talan Braswell (Labette Community College), 1:06
Miguel Estrada MFF Austin Ramirez (Providence), MFF
Miguel Estrada major dec. Keith Smith (Southeast Community College), 12-2

It is great to be an Iowa Wrestling fan.

Go Hawks!

The #2 ranked Iowa Hawkeyes shutout Bellarmine 49-0. It was a sold out crowd at Knight Hall in Louisville, Kentucky where Iowa won all ten matches with two pins, six tech falls and a major decision. 

Jacori Teemer needed just :24 to pin Gray Ortis at 157 and Ben Kueter :32 to pin Daulton Mayer at Hwt.

Kale Petersen made his Hawkeye varsity debut this season with a 26-6 tech fall at 125. I am looking forward to watching this freshman develop throughout season.

Ryder Block(141), Kyle Parco(149), Mike Caliendo(165), Nelson Brands(174), and Stephen Buchanan(197) also had tech falls.

Drake Ayala had a major at 133 and Gabe Arnold won by a decision at 184.

Iowa 49 Bellarmine 0

125 – Kale Petersen (IOWA) over Jack Parker (BU) (TF 26-6 6:15)

133 – Drake Ayala (IOWA) over Trayce Eckman (BU) (MD 14-6)

141 – Ryder Block (IOWA) over David Mayora (BU) (TF 19-4 4:57)

149 – Kyle Parco (IOWA) over Zac Cowan (BU) (TF 21-4 5:37)

157 – Jacori Teemer (IOWA) over Gray Ortis (BU) (Fall 0:24)

165 – Mike Caliendo (IOWA) over Cole Nance (BU) (TF 21-6 4:02)

174 – Nelson Brands (IOWA) over Grant O`Dell (BU) (TF 20-5 6:17)

184 – Gabe Arnold (IOWA) over Devan Hendricks (BU) (Dec 5-3)

197 – Stephen Buchanan (IOWA) over Andrew Liber (BU) (TF 16-1 3:46)

285 – Ben Kueter (IOWA) over Daulton Mayer (BU) (Fall 0:32)

Former Iowa Hawkeye Ned Shuck has been the head coach of Bellarmine since July 2021. Shuck, originally from Mapleton, Minnesota, graduated with a degree in Elementary Education from the University of Iowa in 2005. 

Iowa is on the mat next Saturday, November 23 at 6 PM in sold out legendary Carver-Hawkeye Arena to face Iowa State. A must see.

The meet will be live on BTNt

It is great to be an Iowa Wrestling fan.

Go Hawks!

Six Hawks will be competing at the Grand View Open on Saturday. Wrestling begins at 9 AM at Ignit Sports & Fitness in Grimes, Iowa. Fifty-four teams from across the country are registered to compete on sixteen mats.

FloWrestling will have full coverage on their premium service. 

This will be the collegiate debut for elite recruit Angelo Ferrari who was the overall #1 recruit in the country in the Class of 2024.

Grand View Open

Dru Ayala – 125

Joey Cruz – 125

Caleb Rathjen – 149

Kael Voinovich – 149

Miguel Estrada – 149

Angelo Ferrari – 184

149 will be interesting to watch with Caleb Rathjen, Kael Voinovich, and Miguel Estrada. Rathjen was an NCAA Qualifier at 149 last season for Iowa. 

Last weekend at the Luther Open at 149 true freshmen Voinovich won the title in the open division and Estrada won the Fresh/Soph division in impressive fashion.

Joey Cruz is in the mix for the varsity spot at 125 where he competed in the opening dual meet at Oregon State. 

Ayala, Voinovich, Estrada, and Ferrari are in the Recruiting Class of 2024. 

I will have a follow up blog with results.

It is great to be an Iowa Wrestling fan.

Go Hawks!

The University of Iowa Women’s Wrestling team will have their home opener on Saturday, November 16 with the Trailblazer Duals. The Hawks will face Cornell College at 1:30 PM and William Jewell at 2PM.

Cornell College is in the second year of their program. Their roster has twelve of seventeen wrestlers as freshmen with eight wrestlers from Iowa. 

William Jewel is ranked #21 in the NWCA Pre-Season Rankings with Alex Waitsman ranked #5 at 124 and Emily Mendez #10 at 110. 

Iowa broke the attendance record for a college women’s wrestling event during last season’s Trailblazer Duals with 8,207 fans in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

The duals will be streamed on B1G+ and Steven Grace will call the duals live on Hawkeye Sports Radio.

From HawkeyeSports.com:

Single dual ticket sales are now available. Iowa will offer a “For Her” combo pack that includes tickets to both home duals. Please call 1-800-IAHAWKS and select option 2 to be connected to a ticket sales representative or visit https://hawkeyesports.com/tickets/ to learn more.

Iowa in NWCA Rankings

103 – Emilie Gonzalez #1

103 – Sterling Dias #2

110 – Ava Bayless #1

117 – Brianna Gonzalez #1

124 – Not ranked

131 – Skye Realin #10

138 – Nanea Estrella #5

138 – Lilly Luft #8

145 – Reese Larramendy #1

145 – Ella Schmitt #6

160 – Not ranked

180 – Kylie Welker #1

207 – Jaycee Foeller #1

It is great to be an Iowa Wrestling fan.

Go Hawks!

Two NCAA National championship Iowa Wrestling teams will be honored on Friday, November 29th in Kinnick Stadium.

The 1975 and 2000 national champion Iowa Wrestling teams will be recognized as part of the Milestone Teams to Celebrate during the Iowa-Nebraska football game. Kickoff time is listed at 6:30 PM CST.

Letterwinner’s Day will be celebrated with an All Letterwinner Tailgate, Tunnel of Honor, and Milestone Celebrations.

The 1975 and 2000 championship teams will also be honored during the Iowa Wrestling Letterwinners Celebration on Sunday, February 23, 2025. Iowa will host rival Oklahoma State in sold out Carver-Hawkeye Arena at 7:30 PM and to a national audience on BTN.

1975 was the first national team title in school history and the beginning of a dynasty. Head Coach Gary Kurdelmeier led Iowa to the first of two straight team titles.

The 2000 title was the 20th in school history as Jimmy Zalesky won his third straight title as head coach.

1975:

Iowa posted an undefeated dual season (17-0-1), set a school mark for wins and won its first NCAA title with 102 points. The team had a school-record five All-Americans with national champions Chuck Yagla and Dan Holm along with Chris Campbell (2nd), Greg Stevens(2nd) and John Bowlsby(3rd).

2000

The Hawkeyes won seven consecutive matches, scoring 23 1/2 points, in the consolation round to come from behind and win their sixth consecutive NCAA Championship in St. Louis, MO. 

Iowa crowned one individual national champion in junior 133-pounder Eric Juergens, while Jody Strittmatter(3rd), Doug Schwab(3rd) and T.J. Williams(3rd), Mike Zadick(7th) and Wes Hand(2nd) earned All-America honors. 

The Hawkeyes went 18-0 in duals, and recaptured the conference team title. Big Ten individual champs were Strittmatter, Juergens, Schwab and Williams.

It is great to be an Iowa Wrestling fan.

Go Hawks!

The Iowa Hawkeyes will be on the road for a dual meet at Bellarmine on Friday. The action will start at 6 PM CST in Knight Hall in Louisville, Kentucky.

A quick glance at the Probable Lineups shows that Patrick Kennedy is listed with Nelson Brands at 174. Kennedy represented Team USA at 79kg at the U23 World Championships in Tirana, Albania two weeks ago. Brands started at 174 for the first two dual meets of the season.

Bellarmine does not have a ranked wrestler. Last weekend Bellarmine competed at the Clarion Open with Grant O’Dell as the highest place winner with third at 174. O’Dell is a redshirt sophomore from North Liberty, Iowa and competed for Iowa City West High School. 

True freshman David Mayora from Montini Catholic High School (Northlake, IL) is 6-0 on the season for Bellarmine. He won the Patriot Open last weekend in the Freshman/Sophomore division. Mayora is listed to face Ryder Block at 141.

Iowa has both Joey Cruz and Kale Petersen listed at 125. Cruz lost in the season opener at Oregon State and Petersen received a bye against Stanford last weekend. I am looking forward to seeing Petersen on the mat for the Hawks.

Bellarmine, a private college in Louisville, Kentucky, won NWCA Nationals the last two years. Bellarmine competed at NWCA Nationals as part of transitioning to Division I. 

Bellarmine is now a Division I member of the Southern Conference (SoCon). They will be eligible to compete at the SoCon Tournament to qualify for the 2025 NCAA National Wrestling Championships. 

Former Iowa Hawkeye Ned Shuck has been the head coach of Bellarmine since July 2021. Shuck, originally from Mapleton, Minnesota, graduated with a degree in Elementary Education from the University of Iowa in 2005. 

As a member of the Iowa Hawkeye Wrestling program Shuck was a four-year letter winner and three-time Academic All-Big Ten selection.  In 2005 Shuck was awarded the J. Donald McPike Award for the highest GPA of any graduating Iowa Wrestling senior.

#2 Iowa vs. Bellarmine in Louisville, Kentucky

Friday, November 15 at 6 PM CST

The dual meet will be live streamed on ESPNt.

Steven Grace and Chad Beatty call the action on AM 800 KXIC and audio streamed online at HawkeySports.com via YouTube.

Probable Lineups

125 Joey Cruz So. Fresno, California/Bullard 0-1 -or—/31/32/– Kale Petersen R-Fr. Rockwell, Iowa/Greene County 1-0 vs. Jack Parker R-Jr. Spring Lake, Michigan/Spring Lake 5-2

133 9/9/7/6 Drake Ayala Jr. Fort Dodge, Iowa/Fort Dodge 1-1 vs. Trayce Eckman R-So. Morganfield, Kentucky/Union County 3-2

141 –/32/–/– Ryder Block R-Fr Waverly, Iowa/Waverly-Shell Rock 1-1 vs. David Mayora Fr. Northlake, Illinois/Montini Catholic 6-0

149 4/4/4/3 Kyle Parco Sr. Danville, California/De La Salle 2-0 vs. Zac Cowan R-Jr. Richmond, Kentucky/Madison Central 4-1

157 1/1/1/1 Jacori Teemer Grad. Long Beach, New York/Long Beach 1-0 vs. Gray Ortis R-So. Mountain Brook, Alabama/Mountain Brook 3-2 or Jeb Prechtel R-Fr. Jasper, Indiana/Jasper 3-2

165 2/2/2/2 Michael Caliendo Jr. Geneva, Illinois/Batavia 2-0 vs. Cole Nance Sr. Lawrenceburg, Kentucky/Anderson County 5-1

174  7/10/8/9 Nelson Brands Grad. Iowa City, Iowa/Iowa City West 1-1 or Patrick Kennedy Sr Kasson-Mantorville, Minnesota vs. Grant O’Dell R-So. North Liberty, Iowa/Iowa City West 3-1

184 7/8/6/8 Gabe Arnold R-Fr. Albany, Georgia/Iowa City 2-0 vs. Devan Hendricks R-Sr. Jamestown, Ohio/Greenview 1-2 or Sam Schroeder R-Jr. Huntingburg, Indiana/Southridge 1-2 

197 1/2/1/1 Stephen Buchanan Grad. Loyal, Wisconsin/Loyal 2-0 vs. Andrew Liber R-Fr. Toledo, Ohio/St. Francis De Sales 4-2

285 16/12/12/16 Ben Kueter R-Fr. Iowa City, Iowa/Iowa City 2-0 vs. Daulton Mayer Sr. Mentor, Kentucky/Walton-Verona 3-2

It is great to be an Iowa Wrestling fan.

Go Hawks!