Jacob Warner became just the second Iowa wrestler ever to become an All American at 197/190 lbs. as a freshman last season. He capped off a 22-6 season by placing seventh at the NCAA Championships. Of his 22 wins, Warner had one pin, one tech fall, and four major decisions.
Warner was an elite recruit out of Tolono, Illinois (Washington High School) that I have always been very high on. He started off his college career with a huge win at home against Iowa State and the fifth ranked wrestler in the country. After suffering an injury in that meet on December 1, Warner did not compete again until Midlands. Last season was a challenge for Warner. He made the 2018 Junior World Team and competed overseas in the fall and I believe that affected his performance throughout the season.
Now with a full year of training and a regular off-season, I am expecting much more out of Warner this year. He looks noticeably bigger and stronger. I also sense more confidence this season as well.
Warner won matches last year with a counter attack for spin arounds for takedowns and aggressive wrestling on top for riding time and turns. I am hoping we see more offensive scoring with his takedowns. This guy has a large arsenal of leg attacks, upper body moves, and aggressive hand fighting that can all add up to a lot of points. The increase in points will lead to more pins. Every point will be important at the NCAA’s and a great effort by Warner will be needed.
There will be some early season tests for Warner to gauge his progress by as he will face #23 Joel Shapiro of Iowa State and #2 ranked Patrick Brucki of Pinceton on the road. I am especially looking forward to the Brucki match at Princeton before a sold out standing room only crowd and hostile environment. That match will show where Warner is at nationally in the early season.
I agree with the preseason ranking of fifth, but that is sure not where I expect Jacob Warner to finish the season at the NCAA Championships. The sky is the limit for this Hawkeye.
2019 NCAA Championships – Jacob Warner (22-6) placed 7th and scored 7.5 team points.
- Champ. Round 1 – Jacob Warner (Iowa) won by decision over Drew Phipps (Bucknell) (Dec 9-8)
- Champ. Round 2 – Thomas Lane (Cal Poly) won in sudden victory – 1 over Jacob Warner (Iowa) (SV-1 4-2)
- Cons. Round 2 – Jacob Warner (Iowa) won by major decision over Joshua Roetman (Navy) (MD 9-1)
- Cons. Round 3 – Jacob Warner (Iowa) won by decision over Tanner Orndorff (Utah Valley) (Dec 10-6)
- Cons. Round 4 – Jacob Warner (Iowa) won by decision over Tom Sleigh (Virginia Tech) (Dec 6-2)
- Cons. Round 5 – Josh Hokit (Fresno State) won by decision over Jacob Warner (Iowa) (Dec 5-4)
- 7th Place Match – Jacob Warner (Iowa) won by decision over Benjamin Honis (Cornell) (Dec 8-4)
2019 Big Ten Championships
- Champ. Round 1 – Jacob Warner (Iowa) received a bye () (Bye)
- Quarterfinal – Jacob Warner (Iowa) won by decision over Beau Breske (Wisconsin) (Dec 10-4)
- Semifinal – Kollin Moore (Ohio State) won by decision over Jacob Warner (Iowa) (Dec 5-2)
- Cons. Semi – Jacob Warner (Iowa) won by decision over Christian Brunner (Purdue) (Dec 6-0)
- 3rd Place Match – Jacob Warner (Iowa) won in sudden victory – 1 over Eric Schultz (Nebraska) (SV-1 7-5)
197 lbs. Rankings by TrackWrestling on November 12
- Kollin Moore – Ohio State, Sr
- Patrick Brucki – Princeton, Jr
- Kyle Conel – Penn State, Sr
- Josh Hokit – Fresno State, Sr
- Jacob Waner – Iowa, So
- Jacob Holschlag – Northern Iowa, Sr
- Nathan Traxler – Stanford, Sr
- Tom Lane – Cal Poly, Sr
It is great to be an Iowa Wrestling fan.
Go Hawks!
