Incoming Iowa Wrestling recruit Abe Assad could not have finished his high school wrestling career any better that he did. Assad looked great in winning the toughest weight class in the entire tournament by winning the title at 182 lbs. at the 2019 U.S. Marine Corps/USAW Junior National Championships in Fargo, ND.
After reaching the finals with four tech falls and a decision, Assad looked great in the finals with an 8-2 win over #1 ranked Dustin Plott of Oklahoma. Some consider Plott as the #1 college prospect in all of high school wrestling at this time. Assad was the aggressor throughout the match and put the match away with a final takedown to add to his lead. Assad avenged a 4-2 loss to Plott at Junior Duals in June.
In an interview on YouTube, Assad credited his success to working out in the Iowa Wrestling room for three weeks leading up to Nationals. He worked out with future teammate Patrick Kennedy who won a Junior Nationals title at 160 lbs. right before Assad’s match. As an Iowa Wrestling fan, I believe we will see these two win national titles at back-to-back weights in the future for Iowa Wrestling.
Assad, from Carol Stream, IL, finished off a great high school career that saw him win two state titles at Glenbard North High School. Assad was named as the 2019 IWCOA Class 3A Outstanding Wrestler. In 2017 as a sophomore, Assad placed first in Greco-Roman and second in Freestyle at Cadet Nationals. It was last year that Assad made a huge move by winning both the Freestyle and Greco-Roman Cadet World Team Trials. After capturing a Bronze at the 2018 Cadet World Freestyle Championships in Zagreb, Croatia at 76 kg/176 lbs., Assad took a visit to Iowa and verbally committed to the Hawks last August.
Assad is projected to wrestle at 184 for Iowa and I believe he has the potential to possibly move up to 197. Assad also has a great future in International wrestling for both Freestyle and Greco-Roman.
The next step for Abe Assad will be as a true freshman for the Hawks next month. Look for Assad to end his college career on top as well.
Junior Nationals – Abe Assad Illinois 182 lbs.
Rd 128: Bye
Rd of 64: Abe Assad (IL) VSU Jake Kinken (FL) 10-0 :44
Rd of 32: Abe Assad (IL) VSU Kodiak Stephens (CA) 10-0 1:54
Rd of 16: Abe Assad (IL) VSU Michael Doggett (PA) 10-0 1:23
Quarterfinals: Abe Assad (IL) VPO1 John Pozanski (NJ) 9-4
Semifinals: Abe Assad (IL) VSU Luke Stout (PA) 10-0 1:48
Finals: Abe Assad (IL) VPO1 Dustin Plott (OK) 8-2
It is great to be an Iowa Wrestling fan.
Go Hawks!
