If you have been reading my blog in the past you know that I have been high on Abe Assad since he was a recruit. Assad came into the program with high expectations. Injuries have definitely been an influence on his career.
Assad is 6-1 this season at 184 with one tech fall and two major decisions. Among those wins are a 22-7 tech fall over the #31 ranked wrestler and a 14-4 major decision over the #31 ranked wrestler. Assad has the potential to not only put up points, but big points. Scoring more points in the big matches will be the key as Assad moves up in competition.
#8 ranked Assad will face six ranked opponents in the nine remaining dual meets including the #1 and #9 ranked wrestlers from the Big Ten. A solid stretch in the remaining dual meets will help set up Assad for seeds at Big Tens and Nationals.
Scoring team points above his current ranking of #8 at Nationals could have a major influence in the team race. I still believe a healthy Assad is a national title contender. Give me a healthy and confident Abe Assad at the NCAA Championships and I will like our chances to score valuable points in the team race.
Results at 184
#10 Abe Assad (UI) dec. Peter Acciardi (CBU), 11-4
#8 Abe Assad (UI) dec. Sahm Abdulrazzaq (ARMY), 12-5
#8 Abe Assad (UI) major dec. Hunter Perez (SH), 22-9
#8 Abe Assad (UI) tech. fall #32 Giuseppe Hoose (UB), 22-7
#8 Abe Assad (UI) dec. Maximus Hale (Penn), 5-0
#5 Marcus Coleman (ISU) dec. #8 Abe Assad (UI), 3-2
#8 Abe Assad (UI) major dec. #31 Matthew Waddell (UTC), 14-4
Upcoming ranked opponents at 184 (InterMat Rankings) for #8 Abe Assad
Illinois Jan 6
#32 Ben Vanadia at Purdue Jan 8
Northwestern Jan 13
#12 Lenny Pinto Nebraska Jan 20
at Wisconsin Jan 22
#1 Aaron Brooks at Penn State Jan 27
#15 Isaiah Salazar at Minnesota Feb 3
#9 Matt Finesilver Michigan Feb 10
#16 Travis Wittlake Oklahoma State Feb 19
It is great to be an Iowa Wrestling fan.
Go Hawks!
