The longer the season goes, the more I being asked a simple question: How good is Iowa? That question is being thrown at me on Facebook, Twitter, through email, and by wrestling fans that I see. I am being asked how this team compares to the great Iowa Wrestling teams of the past that I was around. Fair question. Let’s take a look.
Well, when you look at the stats listed below, one would have to say that Iowa is really, really good. Iowa is ranked #1 as a team in all of the rankings with anywhere from 30-56.5 points ahead of #2 ranked Penn State. While I do not think the gap is that big at this time between Iowa and Penn State, I do agree that Iowa is the clear cut top team in the country. I have never seen a drop off in points between the second and third ranked team in the country like this year. It is Iowa and Penn State by a mile out in front of every other team in the country.
On one hand Iowa has not wrestled a lot of matches this season, However, Iowa has faced some very tough competition in the form of high ranked teams and individuals. When six of your wrestlers are undefeated in mid-January and you have wrestled highly ranked teams, you are real good.
We will know a lot more about this team after the next three weeks that will bring #7 Nebraska, #4 Ohio State, and #2 Penn State into legendary Carver-Hawkeye Arena for a dual meet. There will be quite a few matches of highly ranked wrestlers competing against each other. I believe Iowa will win all three of the duals and remain #1 in the country.
It is nearly impossible to not think about how the current rankings would play out at the NCAA National Tournament in Minneapolis on March 19-21. With Lee and Lugo at #1, DeSanto, Marinelli, and Kemerer at #2, Cassioppi #3, and Warner #4, that would be a ton of points right there. Then add in Murin and Young at #6. True freshman Abe Assad is ranked #10 at 184 after only two varsity matches. Nine wrestlers in the top 6 in the country along with a #10 on the rise. That is impressive to say the least.
Current Iowa lineup: #1,#2 #6, #1, #6, #2, #2, #10, #4, #3.
I will hold back comparing this team to the great teams of the past for Iowa Wrestling. For starters, I am superstitious. Let the next three weeks play out and the rest of the season. Then we will know. I did add the year of each wrestler below. Only one senior in Lugo on the team if Kemerer is granted an additional year from his injury last season and I believe that will happen. As in Iowa may be even better next season. R-E-A-L-L-Y challenging to not look ahead and wonder if we as Iowa Wrestling fans are watching history being made.
How good is Iowa? Let’s give it time.
Rankings from InterMat on January 14, 2020:
125 – #1 Spencer Lee (Jr) 10-0
133 – #2 Austin DeSanto (Jr) 10-1
141 – #6 Max Murin (So) 10-0
149 – #1 Pat Lugo (Sr) 12-0
157 – #6 Kaleb Young (Jr) 9-2
165 – #2 Alex Marinelli (Jr) 12-0
174 – #2 Michael Kemerer (Sr) 6-0
184 – #10 Abe Assad (Fr) 17-3
197 – #4 Jacob Warner (So) 10-2
Hwt – #3 Tony Cassioppi (Fr) 11-0
It is great to be an Iowa Wrestling fan.
Go Hawks!
