There were a lot of moving parts for Iowa Wrestling this weekend with both programs having home dual meets and Spencer Lee competing in France. Before we move on to another big week I wanted to do a recap of the eventful weekend.
The weekend started off on Friday with #2 Iowa defeating #9 Illinois 28-6. The biggest match was #3 Drake Ayala scoring a takedown to defeat #2 Lucas Byrd, 4-2. That was the big match of the night that so many were looking forward to. We could see that match in the Big Ten finals and the NCAA Finals.
Joey Cruz is looking better with each competition. Last weekend he beat #18 Nicolar Rivera of Wisconsin. Friday night Cruz won by a 13-3 major decision over Caelan Riley. We may have more than we thought here with Cruz at 125.
Another match I was looking forward to seeing was Gabe Arnold over #10 Edmond Ruth, 5-1. I liked what we saw out of Arnold against the defending 174 lbs. Big Ten champion Ruth.
I have been telling you how much I like Miquel Estrada on this blog since October. He was impressive in defeating #20 Jason Kraisser, 3-2. I hope it works out that Estrada can redshirt with a return of #1 Jacori Teemer to the lineup. Either way Estrada has a great future in the Black and Gold of Iowa.
I also want to mention Stephan Buchanan who looked good with a 13-2 major decision over #18 Zac Braunagel. Buchanan is improving every time he competes.
Overall Iowa won the takedown battle 15-1. That is impressive over a tough Big Ten team. The Hawks also had a 69-21 edge in match points. To make this even better is that Iowa can and will wrestle a lot better than what we saw Friday night.
Iowa will host #7 Ohio State in sold out legendary Carver-Hawkeye Arena at 1 PM this Saturday, January 25 at 1 PM.
#2 Iowa 28, #9 Illinois 6
125 – #28 Joey Cruz (IA) major dec. Caelan Riley (IL), 13-3
133 – #4 Drake Ayala (IA) dec. #2 Lucas Byrd (IL), 4-2
141 – #12 Danny Pucino (IL) dec. #30 Ryder Block (IA), 4-3
149 – #3 Kyle Parco (IA) dec. #12 Kannon Webster (IL), 1-0
157 – Miguel Estrada (IA) vs. #20 Jason Kraisser (IL), 3-2
165 – #2 Michael Caliendo (IA) tech fall. #11 Braeden Scoles (IL), 20-4
174 – #5 Patrick Kennedy (IA) dec. #21 Danny Braunagel (IL), 5-0
184 – #5 Gabe Arnold (IA) dec. #10 Edmond Ruth (IL), 5-1
197 – #2 Stephen Buchanan (IA) major dec. #18 Zac Braunagel (IL), 13-2
285 – #11 Luke Luffman (IL) dec. #12 Ben Kueter (IA), 3-1
On Saturday the Iowa Women’s Wrestling team hosted Augustana and Grand Valley State for Iowa Duals II.
The Hawks defeated Augustana 44-1 and Grand Valley State 35-7. Iowa was 18-2 in total matches with three pins and nine techfalls.
The Iowa lineup is so solid and dominant top to bottom I really do not know what else to say. When you are the defending national champs and look noticeably better you really have a loaded and powerful team.
Iowa will be back on the mats on Saturday, January 25 in Albany, New York at the Journeymen Wrestling College Duals. The Hawks will face Lock Haven, Sacred Heart, Elmira and Presbyterian.
#1 Iowa 44 Augustana 1
103 #3 Sterling Dias (I) wins via forfeit
110 #2 Ava Bayless (I) over Jo Orozco (A), TF 10-0
117 #1 Brianna Gonzalez (I) over Liz Ramirez (A), TF 10-0
124 #7 Cali Leng (I) over Sandie Pfeil (A), Fall 5:34
131 #10 Emily Frost (I) over Moni Griffin (A), TF 10-0
138 #6 Cadence Diduch (I) over Bri Bynum (A), TF 10-0
145 #2 Reese Larramendy (I) over Aine Moffit (A), TF 13-2
160 #1 Kennedy Baldes (I) over Maryam Ndiaye (A), TF 13-0
180 #6 Naomi Simon (I) over Sawyer Graham (A), Fall 0:53
207 #6 Alivia White (I) over Angie Guy (A), Fall 0:41 44-1
#1 Iowa 35 #4 Grand Valley State 7
103 #4 Rayana Sahagun (GV) over #3 Sterling Dias (I), Dec. 6-4
110 #5 Emilie Gonzalez (I) wins via forfeit
117 #1 Brianna Gonzalez (I) over Tabaldo (GV), TF 11-0
124 #7 Cali Leng (I) over #4 Aspen Blasko (GV), Dec. 2-2
131 Emmily Patneaud (I) over Hanna Palise (GV), Fall 2:18
138 #2 Katie Lange (GV) over #3 Nanea Estrella (I), Dec. 4-3
145 #1 Macey Kilty (I) over #9 Elleni Johnson (GV), TF 10-0
160 #1 Kennedy Baldes (I) over Clarissa Agostini (GV), Fall 0:38
180 #1 Kylie Welker (I) over #2 Sabrina Nauss (GV), TF 10-0
207 #6 Alivia White (I) over Aaliyah Grandberry (GV), Dec. 5-0
Spencer Lee won gold at 57 kg at the 51st annual Henri Deglane Grand Prix in Nice, France. Lee outscored his opponents 40-0 by going 4-0 with four tech falls in :38, :36, :35, and :33.
Impressive showing for Lee in his first competition since capturing silver at the Olympics last summer.
HWC head coach Dan Dennis cornered Lee in France and Pat Lugo was his training partner.
2025 Henri Deglane Grand Prix in Nice, France
Round 1: Spencer Lee(USA) TF over Ben Tarik(Morocco) 10-0 :38
Round 2: Spencer Lee(USA) TF over Cheynoux Gaspard(France) 10-0 :36
Semifinals: Spencer Lee(USA) TF over Guessepple Villaroel(Ecuador) 10-0 :35
Finals: Spencer Lee(USA) TF over Thomas Epp(Switzerland) 10-0 :33
FloWrestling announced “FloWrestling Night in America” for Wednesday, February 26. The main event will be a challenge match between 2024 Olympic 57 kg silver medalist Spencer Lee vs. 2024 60 kg world champion Masanosuke Ono of Japan.
It was announced last week that Austin DeSanto will face Seth Gross at 60kg. Additional matches will be announced.
I of course have to mention recruiting. Iowa has two elite recruits for the Class of 2025 to be excited about. Leo DeLuca(120) and Harvey Ludington(190) are both ranked #1 in the country for a reason. That is two guys coming into the program that will make a big impact.
As I have done for years I will post a blog on Friday for upcoming weekend competitions and a follow up blog with results on my “Recruits in action” series.
It is great to be an Iowa Wrestling fan.
Go Hawks!
