Jacob Warner has been holding down 197 in the Iowa lineup for the past five years and is a rare five-time All American. Warner was a member of the Iowa Wrestling Recruiting Class of 2017. Originally from Tolono, Illinois Warner competed for Washington High School. In high school Warner was a three-time state champion and four-time finalist.

He won a Cadet and Junior Freestyle and Greco-Roman national title. In 2016 Warner won a Bronze medal at the Cadet World Freestyle Championships in Tbilisi, Georgia.

During his true freshman year as a redshirt Warner was a UWW Junior Nationals champion and competed at the UWW Junior World Freestyle Championships in Trnava, Slovakia. He placed seventh in the country as a redshirt freshman. In the Covid year of 2020 Warner placed third at Big Tens and was seeded fifth at 197 when the NCAA Tournament was canceled.

After placing fourth in 2021 Warner was an NCAA National Runner up in 2022. After entering the tournament this year as a fourteenth seed Warner placed fifth at a deep and talented 197 lbs. weight class.

Off the mat Warner was very successful academically. Jacob Warner has already graduated from the University of Iowa with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Finance. He is currently working on a Master’s degree in Business Analytics.

Warner is a five-time Academic All-Big Ten selection and has been named as an NWCA Scholar Athlete three times. At the awards banquet last week Warner received the J. Donald McPike, Sr. Award for the senior with the highest GPA and was co-recipient of the Most Courageous Award with Max Murin.

I also need to mention the memorable entrance song for Warner at home meets at Carver-Hawkeye Arena was Fat Bottomed Girls by Queen.

Even though Warner became a five-time all American and dropped a real close match in the NCAA Finals some fans were pretty harsh online with criticism. Those fans exercised their First Amendment rights to criticize Warner. I will now exercise my First Amendment rights by telling all of those Jacob Warner critics to kiss my ass.

Whatever field Warner goes into I look for him to continue winning. I can see him being a successful business owner with a high net worth.

Good luck and thank you Jacob Warner for representing Iowa Wrestling so well on and off the mat.

Jacob Warner – 197 lbs. Five-time All American

2019 – 7th 

2020 – All American

2021 – 4th

2022 – 2nd

2023 – 5th

It is great to be an Iowa Wrestling fan.

Go Hawks!

Cody Goodwin of the Des Moines Register announced on Twitter that Koye Grebel has committed to the University of Iowa. Grebel is from Valley City, North Dakota where he was named North Dakota’s Mr. Wrestler.

Grebel is a three-time state champion and four-time state finalist. Grebal was 44-2 this past season and won a state title at 138 lbs. with a 15-0 tech fall in the finals. He is projected to compete at 141 lbs. for the Hawks.

Grebel will be a member of the outstanding Iowa Wrestling Recruiting Class of 2023.

Iowa Wrestling Recruiting Class of 2023

Kale Petersen – Greene County 132 lbs.

Ryder Block – Waverly-Shell Rock 138 lbs. 

Koye Grebel – Valley City, North Dakota  138 lbs.

Cody Chittum – Cleveland, Tennessee 152 lbs.

Gabe Arnold – City High (Iowa City) 182 lbs. 

Ben Kueter – City High (Iowa City) 220 lbs.

It is great to be an Iowa Wrestling fan.

Go Hawks!

When the calendar turns to April we will be in the heart of Freestyle season. We will have a lot to follow as Iowa Wrestling fans.

Wrestling has great competition nearly the entire year. Freestyle season always provides great entertainment for all wrestling fans.

We will have tournaments to determine the Men’s and Women’s World Team for Senior, U23, and U20 divisions.

I will keep you up to date right here on my blog as current, former, and incoming Hawkeyes compete for an opportunity to represent on Team USA.

2023 Women’s National Championship

April 14-16

Spokane, Washington

U17, U20, and U23

2023 U.S. Open

April 26-30

Las Vegas, Nevada

Senior Men’s and Women’s, Men’s U20

2023 Senior World Team Trials Challenge

May 20-21

Colorado Springs, CO

Men’s and Women’s Freestyle, Greco-Roman

U23 and U20 World Team Trials – Men’s

June 2-4

Geneva, Ohio

Final X – Senior World Team Finals for Men’s and Women’s FS, Greco-Roman

June 10

Newark, New Jersey

Junior National Duals

June 16-17

Tulsa, Oklahoma

2023 Junior and U16 Nationals

June 15-23

Fargo, North Dakota

U20 World Championships (FS, GR, WW)

August 14-20

Warsaw Poland

Senior World Championships (FS, GR, WW)

September 16-24

Belgrade, Serbia

U23 World Championships (FS, GR, WW)

October 23-29

Tampere, Finland

It is great to be an Iowa Wrestling fan.

Go Hawks!

Incoming Iowa recruit Ryder Block was chosen to represent the USA All-Star Team in the Pittsburgh Classic on Saturday, March 25. Block faced Tyler Kasak (Bethlehem Catholic) of the Pennsylvania All-Star team at 139 lbs. Kasek is a Penn State commit.

Kasak defeated Block 3-2. Block was not awarded a takedown on a controversial call. 

Block recently won his third state title with a career record of 159-1 for Waverly-Shell Rock. In the recent national rankings for MatScouts Block is ranked #2 at 138.

Block is in the outstanding Iowa Wrestling Recruiting Class of 2023.

Keyan Hernandez competed at the NHSCA High School Nationals in Virginia Beach, Virginia on Friday-Sunday. Hernandez was 6-2 for the weekend and placed fourth at 120 lbs. in the Junior class division.

In the first four rounds Hernandez won by three falls and a major decision. In the quarterfinals Hernandez defeated two-time defending New York state champion Matthew Marlow, 2-1. In the semifinals Hernandez dropped a 5-1 decision to eventual champ Isaiah Quintero of California. After a consolation semifinal win Hernandez dropped the third place match 9-4 to Tanner Tishner of Indiana.

Hernandez recently won his third state title for Billings West (Montana) and is a member of the Iowa Wrestling Recruiting Class of 2024.

Keyan Hernandez (MT) fall over Wayshaun Hicks (VA) 5:24

Keyan Hernandez (MT) fall over Hunter Woodle (GA) 1:20

Keyan Hernandez (MT) major decision over Reid Calml (MD)

Keyan Hernandez (MT) fall Joseph Calvin (TN 1:08 

Quarterfinals: Keyan Hernandez (MT) dec over Matthew Marlow (NY) 2-1

Semifinals Isaiah Quintero (CA) dec over Keyan Hernandez (MT) 5-1

Cons Semifinals: Keyan Hernandez (MT) dec over Alden Allen (2-1)

3rd Place: Tanner Tishner (IN) dec over Keyan Hernandez (MT) 9-4

I will keep you up to date here on my blog as our recruits compete this spring and summer.

It is great to be an Iowa Wrestling fan.

Go Hawks!

Iowa Wrestling held their annual awards banquet in the Feller Club Room in Carver-Hawkeye Arena this evening. NCAA Runner-Up Real Woods was named as the Mike Howard Most Valuable. Woods won a Big Ten title and had a great season for the Hawks.

Max Murin was named as the Most Dedicated and also shared the Most Courageous Award with Jacob Warner. Nelson Brands was named as the Most Improved.

Jacob Warner was awarded the J. Donald McPike, Sr. Award for the senior with the highest GPA.

Iowa placed second at the NCAA National Tournament last weekend in Tulsa, Oklahoma with six All-Americans.

2023 AWARD WINNERS
Mike Howard Most Valuable: Real Woods
Mike J. McGivern Award (Most Courageous): Max Murin, Jacob Warner
John and Dorothy Sill Award (Most Dedicated): Max Murin

Most Improved Award: Nelson Brands
J. Donald McPike, Sr., Award (High Senior GPA): Jacob Warner
Coaches Appreciation: Spencer Lee, Tony Cassioppi, Drake Rhodes

Most Pins Award: Tony Cassioppi (11)
All-American Award: Spencer Lee, Real Woods, Max Murin, Nelson Brands, Jacob Warner, Tony Cassioppi

It is great to be an Iowa Wrestling fan.

Go Hawks!

Incoming Iowa recruit Ryder Block has been chosen to represent the USA All-Star Team in the Pittsburgh Classic on Saturday, March 25. Block will face Tyler Kasak (Bethlehem Catholic) of the Pennsylvania All-Star team at 139 lbs. Kasek is a Penn State commit.

The Pittsburgh Classic will be held in the AHN Arena at Peters Township High School in McMurray, Pennsylvania. The USA All Stars-PA All Stars meet will begin at 5 PM CST and will be broadcast live on FloWrestling.

Block recently won his third state title with a career record of 159-1 for Waverly-Shell Rock. In the recent national rankings for MatScouts Block is ranked #2 at 138.

Block is in the outstanding Iowa Wrestling Recruiting Class of 2023.

Keyan Hernandez will compete at the NHSCA High School Nationals in Virginia Beach, Virginia on Friday-Sunday. The action begins at Noon Friday and the Finals are slated for 9 AM CST Sunday. All of the action can be found on the premium service of FloWrestling. 

Hernandez will be competing at 120 lbs. in the Junior class division. Hernandez recently won his third state title for Billings West (Montana) and is a member of the Iowa Wrestling 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 Big Ten just announced that 14 members of the Iowa Wrestling team were named to the 2023 Winter Academic All-Big Ten Team. 

From BigTen.org:

To be eligible for Academic All-Big Ten selection, students must be on a varsity team (as verified by being on the official squad list), have been enrolled full time at the institution for a minimum of 12 months and carry a cumulative grade-point average of 3.0 or higher.

Cullan Schriever was one of only twenty-two Big Ten athletes that were highlighted for having a perfect 4.0 GPA.

Also a mention that Tony Cassioppi, Max Murin, and Jacob Warner achieved this honor while pursuing a Masters degree.

This was the sixth straight year that Iowa Wrestling has had at least ten members named for this honor.

Drake Ayala – Business

Drew Bennett – Interdepartmental Studies (Business)

Nelson Brands – Sport and Recreation Management 

Tony Cassioppi – Masters degree in Management 

Zach Glazier – Sport and Recreation Management (Business)

Joe Kelly – Computer Science 

Patrick Kennedy – Sport and Recreation Management 

Charles Matthews – Business 

Max Murin – Masters degree in Sport and Recreation Management 

* Cullan Schriever – Sport and Recreation Management  (4.0 GPA)

Leif Schroeder – Social Studies Education/History 

Cobie Siebrecht – Enterprise Leadership 

Brennan Swafford – Art

Jacob Warner – Masters degree in Business Analytics 

Great job. That is getting it done on the mat and in the classroom.

It is great to be an Iowa Wrestling fan.

Go Hawks!  

I started a series of blogs last year as a way of showing my appreciation for our seniors. I am going to continue with this and make a yearly tradition.

We have three seniors on this year’s team that were all four year starters. Spencer Lee, Max Murin, and Jacob Warner.

I will start with Mad Max Murin at 149. Murin is one of several to make their way to Iowa City by way of the Young Guns Wrestling Club that produced a generation of elite wrestlers that we may never see from a wrestling club again. Murin went to the same high school as Jody Strittmatter, Central Cambria in Ebensburg, Pennsylvania. 

If there is a Iowa Wrestling Grinder Hall of Fame, Murin makes it on the first ballot. This guy is the epitome of a grinder that was always working hard. On the mat in competition and in the practice room. 

After being so close several times in the Round of 12 Murin just placed sixth at Nationals to become an All American. His name will forever be on the wall for All Americans in the legendary Iowa Wrestling room that is moving to a new location next year. The name of Max Murin is etched in Iowa Wrestling history as an All American.

The way that Murin carried himself on and off the mat and was always working hard reminded me of another Hawkeye favorite of the recent past, Brandon Sorensen. The wrestler that Murin replaced in the lineup. Speaking of which Iowa has sent out either Brandon Sorensen or Max Murin on the mat at 149 for the last nine seasons. Opponents and fans knew that we were going to see a battle every single time. That is quite a tradition.

I interviewed Jody Strittmatter for my blog in June of 2017. 

What can Iowa Wrestling fans expect out of Spencer Lee and Max Murin?

Strittmatter: They love the sport of wrestling, number one.  They are workers.  They want their shoes on all day long.  They are the kind of kids that you have to tell that practice is over and you have to get home.  They are passionate about the sport.  They have different styles but are both passionate about the sport and getting better.  Off the mat they are amazing kids.  These are the type of kids that you want your son to become like them.  I’m not talking about anything to do with wrestling.  The type that I want my son to become like him.  Just awesome kids.

Strittmatter told me a few Max Murin stories that day that I would like to share. If I remember right Murin did not win a wrestling tournament in his career until late in his junior year or even senior year of high school. He was surrounded by state, national, and even world champions in Young Guns but he did not have elite success. That is a story for wrestling coaches to be telling their team or impatient parents.

The club had been at a big state tournament for middle school for the weekend. They got home late on a Saturday night around midnight. Murin did not place at the tournament. Strittmatter woke up around six the next morning to someone knocking on his door. It was Max Murin wanting to lift weights in his basement. The season was officially over and Murin was up to lift weights the next morning.

Stories like that made me a Max Murin fan.

Off the mat Murin accumulated academic awards including Academic All-Big Ten in 2020, ‘21, and ‘22. Big Ten Distinguished Honor and NWCA Scholar Athlete. 

Murin has already graduated from the University of Iowa with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminology, Law, and Justice. He is currently working on a master’s degree in Sports and Recreation Management.

Regardless of what field Murin goes into, I hope that coaching wrestling is a part of his life. Murin would make a great coach at any level from kids club to Division I.

Murin has represented Iowa Wrestling so well over his entire career. Fans like me appreciate the effort and grind on and off the mat. I have no doubt that Max Murin will continue to be successful throughout his life.

Good luck and thank you Max Murin.

It is great to be an Iowa Wrestling fan.

Go Hawks!

Iowa Women’s Wrestling Coach Clarissa Chun has been selected to the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) National High School Hall of Fame. Chun is one of four athletes named to the Class of 2023 Hall of Fame along with eight coaches and administrators.

The 40th induction ceremony of the National High School Associations (NFHS) National High School Hall of Fame will be in Seattle, Washington on July 1.

From NFHS.org:

In 1998, Clarissa Chun of Roosevelt High School in Honolulu, Hawaii, became the first wrestler to win an official state high school girls wrestling title – not only in Hawaii but the entire country – when she claimed the 98-pound title in the first year of the Hawaii High School Athletic Association’s (HHSAA) girls division. Chun went on to win a second state title in 1999 and finished third in the 1999 United States Girls Wrestling Association High School Nationals.

In addition to wrestling, Chun qualified for HHSAA state tournaments in swimming and bowling, and she won five junior national championships in judo and also participated in water polo. She then went on to become a trailblazer for female wrestlers on many levels.

Chun qualified for the 2008 and 2012 Olympics and earned a bronze medal at the 2012 Games in London. She is a four-time U.S. Open champion, four-time Pan American champion and 2008 World Championships gold medalist. She is one of only four females bestowed with Distinguished Member honors when she was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. She also was inducted into the Hawaii Sports Hall of Fame in 2018.

Chun’s trailblazing career continued in early 2022 when she was named to coach the inaugural women’s wrestling team at the University of Iowa – the first school among Division I Power Five conferences to offer the sport for girls. Chun will lead the team in its first official season in 2023-24.

Congratulations Coach Chun for receiving this honor.

It is great to be an Iowa Wrestling fan.

Go Hawks!

We are officially at the beginning of a new season of Iowa Wrestling. The internet is full of talk of transfers into the Iowa program. I am going to proceed with what I know at this time.  

Iowa has three graduating seniors to replace in the lineup for next season. Spencer Lee (125), Max Murin (149), and Jacob Warner (197). First of all thank you to Lee, Murin, and Warner. They certainly left their mark on the long standing tradition of Iowa Wrestling. 

Now on to a new year of Iowa Wrestling.

125

I see the tradition of Iowa having an outstanding wrestler to start things off at 125 to continue. Even though he has huge shoes to fill Drake Ayala is more than ready at 125. 

Ayala is one of the quickest wrestlers that I have ever seen come out of Iowa high school wrestling. He is originally from Ft. Dodge, Iowa and was Sebolt trained growing up. Competing at Nationals last year provided a great opportunity for Ayala to get a feel for the next level.

Ayala has put on the needed size for 125. Even with the returning competition I expect Ayala to contend for the national title next season.

133

Brody Teske will return at 133 as an NCAA National Qualifier. After starting the season opener on November 13 Teske was out with an injury until returning to the lineup on January 8. Cullan Schriever was in the lineup when Teske was out and he will return next year as well.

133 was a tough weight at Nationals this year and will be again in 2024. It will be interesting to see how Teske develops in the off season. I definitely like his toughness and conditioning. Improvement will be needed to make the award stand next season as an All American. The potential is there for Teske to make the jump to All American status. 

141

Real Woods will return for his senior season. Woods had a very good season with a Big Ten title and NCAA Runner-up finish. It would be great to see Woods put on more size for 141. I look for Woods to improve and make another run at the title.

149

Max Murin has held this spot for the last four years. The Hawks have two really good options to fill this spot.

Cody Chittum was the overall #1 recruit in the country for the class of 2022. Chittum is taking a grey shirt season while training and competing for the Hawkeye Wrestling Club. He recently won a silver at the Ibrahim Moustafa Ranking Event in Alexandria, Egypt with elite International competition.

Even as high as I am on Chittum do not forget about Caleb Rathjen. Rathjen may be the best athlete on the team and he is definitely tough. Rathjen went up a weight and took at the time #3 Kendall Coleman to the limit in dropping a 3-2 match. I believe the starter for Iowa at this weight between Chittum and Rathjen will contend for the national title. They are that good.

157

Heading into this past season 157 was the biggest unknown. Cobe Siebrecht stepped up and had a real solid year while competing in a meat grinder of a schedule. With his big throws and thrilling last second flurries for the win Siebrecht became a fan favorite.

Siebrecht picked up valuable experience at Nationals where he qualified at 157. Should Siebrecht improve even ⅓ as much for the upcoming season as he did last year, look out. Ton of potential here for Siebrecht.

165

Patrick Kennedy was an NCAA Qualifier in his first year on varsity. 165 had to be considered the toughest weight in the country and by a good margin. Unfortunately nearly all of the All Amercans from this year will be back next season. Kennedy will have to improve to find a spot on the podium next year at Nationals.

174

I was happy for Nelson Brands placing fifth at Nationals. He showed a lot of grit coming back from an injury. This was the best version of Nelson Brands to date and by quite a bit. Brands will be back next season.

Incoming recruit Gabe Arnold will be a true freshman next season. I believe we will see Arnold in several big dual meets next year. The new rule where a wrestler can compete up to five matches and not burn a year of eligibility will provide Arnold an opportunity to show what he has. We are seeing a trend nationwide of true freshmen being successful right away.

I believe that Arnold is as good as he has to be to win a match and he will be more successful in college and Senior International than he was in high school. The sky’s the limit for this guy.

184

Abe Assad returns after qualifying for the NCAA Tournament. Assad has the tools to take it to the next level. It would be great to see Assad get healthy, put in a full season, and have a good tournament at Nationals.

197

Iowa has to replace Jacob Warner who has held this spot for the last five years. Kolby Franklin will be a redshirt freshman next season and will be the favorite. Franklin edged teammate Zach Glazier 4-3 at Soldier Salute in late December. Franklin and Glazier will have a battle for the top spot in the lineup next year.

Hwt

Tony Cassioppi will return for his senior season. Big Cass placed fourth at Nationals and finished with a 25-5 record with 11 pins.

Look for Cassioppi to improve over the off season and have a great season next year.

As I previously mentioned there is a lot of talk on the internet that Iowa may have transfers that will have an impact on the starting lineup next season.

I will keep you up to date on any transfers right here on my blog.

It is great to be an Iowa Wrestling fan.

Go Hawks!