Kaleb Young is ready to go for a huge year for the Iowa Hawkeyes. Young saw action at 157, 165, and 174 as a freshman in 2018 as a part-time starter. Last season every match was at 157 that ended with a fifth place finish at the NCAA Tournament. Young was 24-7 last season with three pins, three tech falls, and five major decisions.
There are two highlights that stand out for me for Young from last year. The amazing throw he scored against #9 ranked Steve Bleise of Minnesota in the closing seconds of the dual meet will be on highlight clips for years to come. I would think we as fans will see that clip along with Mark Ironside commentary on the jumbotron in Carver before every home meet this season.
The two wins that Young had against Ryan Deakin of Northwestern at the NCAAs in the Quarterfinals and fifth place match stand out as well. Young won both matches in overtime off of his shot for a takedown. A month later Deakin defeated two-time World medalist James Green in the finals to win a U.S. Open title. That made the wins that Young had look even bigger. Deakin had defeated Young 6-2 in the Midlands finals in December. That is very good growth and improvement in the second half of the season and at money time at the NCAAs.
I always like to point out that Young was the first wrestler to commit to Iowa out of the Young Guns Wrestling Club in Pittsburgh, PA. Young was not a real big recruit when he committed before the beginning of his junior year. He then went on to have a real good season and was a highly ranked recruit by the time he made his way from Punxsutawney, PA to Iowa City to be a Hawkeye. Young is always improving with his constant grind and work ethic. I look for that to continue this season.
I will keep stating what I have said throughout the off-season. Should Kaleb Young improve half as much as he did last season, he will be in the NCAA national finals with a very good chance to win it all. I do not see how you can bet against this guy. I know I am not.
2019 NCAA Championships
Kaleb Young (24-7) placed 5th and scored 12.5 team points.
- Champ. Round 1 – Kaleb Young (Iowa) 24-7 won by tech fall over Dan Reed (Columbia) 28-10 (TF-1.5 3:47 (16-1))
- Champ. Round 2 – Kaleb Young (Iowa) 24-7 won by major decision over Ke-Shawn Hayes (Ohio State) 21-11 (MD 14-2)
- Quarterfinal – Kaleb Young (Iowa) 24-7 won in sudden victory – 1 over Ryan Deakin (Northwestern) 33-7 (SV-1 7-5)
- Semifinal – Tyler Berger (Nebraska) 28-4 won by decision over Kaleb Young (Iowa) 24-7 (Dec 5-3)
- Cons. Semi – Alec Pantaleo (Michigan) 24-8 won by decision over Kaleb Young (Iowa) 24-7 (Dec 6-2)
- 5th Place Match – Kaleb Young (Iowa) 24-7 won in sudden victory – 1 over Ryan Deakin (Northwestern) 33-7 (SV-1 7-5)
2019 Big Ten Championships
- Champ. Round 1 – Kaleb Young (Iowa) 20-5 won by forfeit over Jake Tucker (Michigan State) 21-15 (For.)
- Quarterfinal – Alec Pantaleo (Michigan) 18-7 won by decision over Kaleb Young (Iowa) 20-5 (Dec 3-2)
- Cons. Round 2 – Kaleb Young (Iowa) 20-5 won by major decision over Jake Danishek (Indiana) 18-13 (MD 8-0)
- Cons. Round 3 – Kaleb Young (Iowa) 20-5 won by major decision over Ke-Shawn Hayes (Ohio State) 20-9 (MD 11-1)
- Cons. Semi – Kaleb Young (Iowa) 20-5 won by decision over Steve Bleise (Minnesota) 18-7 (Dec 4-1)
- 3rd Place Match – Alec Pantaleo (Michigan) 18-7 won by decision over Kaleb Young (Iowa) 20-5 (Dec 5-3)
157 lbs. Ratings by TrackWrestling on October 15
- Hayden Hidlay – North Carolina State, Jr
- Kaleb Young – Iowa, Jr
- Ryan Deakin – Northwestern, Jr
- Larry Early – Old Dominion, Sr
- Josh Humphreys – Lehigh, So
- Taleb Rahmani – Pittsburgh, Sr
- Anthony Artalona – Penn, So
- Justin Thomas – Oklahoma, Jr
It is great to be an Iowa Wrestling fan.
Go Hawks!
