The most wide open weight in the Iowa lineup heading into the season was 157. There were four wrestlers in the mix for the starting spot with no clear favorite. The opening at 157 has been filled by Cobe Siebrecht. After winning the wrestle offs to make the first start of the season Siebrecht has not looked back.
Siebrecht is 6-0 with five bonus point wins with two pins and three major decisions. To add to that, Siebrecht has the two most exciting moves of the season so far. The flurry that led to a pin over #10 Anthony Artalona of Penn earned Siebrecht the honor of being named Big Ten Wrestler of the Week.
Siebrecht followed up with a huge throw against Iowa State on his way to earning a 10-2 decision over John Kraisser of Iowa State. That was four crucial points in the Iowa win over Iowa State, 18-15.
It is safe to say that Siebrecht is not afraid to get after it and has quickly become a crowd favorite. Another stat of note. Siebrecht has only surrendered four match points in the four matches that went the distance this season.
Siebrecht will face eight nationally ranked wrestlers in the nine remaining dual meets with the #2,3,8,10,11,14, 16, and 28th ranked wrestlers in the country. If the rankings hold up now Siebrecht, currently ranked #21, will only be a favorite in two of his nine remaining matches and just a slight favorite in one of those matches. The tough competition will prepare Siebrecht for the grind of the Big Tens and the NCAA National Tournament.
Points at 157 for Nationals could make a huge difference in the team race. I have followed Siebrecht throughout his career in our hometown of Lisbon, Iowa. I am confident that Siebrecht will peak at Nationals and be there for his team by providing valuable points.
157
Cobe Siebrecht (UI) pinned Joey Mora (Cal Baptist), 4:59
Cobe Siebrecht (UI) major dec. #28 Nate Lukez (ARMY), 8-0
Nick Palumbo (Sacred Heart) dec. Caleb Rathjen (UI), 8-4
Caleb Rathjen (UI) dec. Nick Stampoulus (Buffalo), 6-0
#29 Cobe Siebrecht (UI) pinned #10 Anthony Artalona (Penn), 4:02
#25 Cobe Siebrecht (UI) major dec. Jason Kraisser (ISU), 10-2
#24 Cobe Siebrecht (UI) dec. Lincoln Heck (UTC), 6-2
Upcoming ranked opponents at 157 (InterMat Rankings)
#3 Kendall Coleman at Purdue Jan 8
#14 Trevor Trumblee Northwestern Jan 13
#2 Peyton Robb Nebraska Jan 20
#16 Garrett Model at Wisconsin Jan 22
#28 Terrell Barraclough at Penn State Jan 27
#11 Brayton Lee at Minnesota Feb 3
#10 Will Lewan Michigan Feb 10
#8 Kaden Gfeller Oklahoma State Feb 19
It is great to be an Iowa Wrestling fan.
Go Hawks!
