It is common to have a busy weekend this time of year for Iowa Wrestling. However, all of last week was huge for Iowa Wrestling.
Let’s take a look before we head into another big week.
Monday, Feb 3
I released a blog with remaining matchups. I get a lot of positive feedback from this segment year to year.
We are closing in on the end of the season where every match is going to be tough and a setup for Big Tens and Nationals.
Tuesday, February 4
This is a date that Iowa Wrestling fans will be talking about for decades to come.
Elite recruit Bo Bassett announced on Flo that he was going to be an Iowa Hawkeye. The only recruiting news that can compare to this is when Spencer Lee committed to Iowa on April 20, 2016.
Bo, only one name needed, is a junior at Bishop McCort High School in Pennsylvania and is the ultimate Iowa Wrestling recruit.
This guy is well known for his amazing work ethic and relentless attacking style. Just what Iowa fans love.
Bo also grew up in Young Guns run by former Hawkeye All American Jody Strittmatter and his favorite wrestler is Spencer Lee.
As the #1 wrestler in the country at 145, Bo is the #1 recruit in the Class of 2026.
Iowa Wrestling fans are excited about Bo being a Hawk and we should be.
You can follow Bo and all of our incoming recruits in my weekly segment: Recruits in action.
Wednesday, February 5
Spencer Lee won the title at 57 kg at the Zagreb Open Ranking Event in Zagreb, Croatia.
This was the first UWW Senior Ranking Tournament of the year and Olympic cycle. Results will factor into seedings at the World Championships and Olympics.
Zagreb Open
57 kg – Spencer Lee
WIN Luka Gvinjila (Georgia), 11-0
WIN Roman Bravo-Young (Mexico), 6-3
WIN Islam Bazarganov (Azerbaijan), 6-2
Friday, February 7
Kennedy Blades of the University of Iowa won gold at 68kg at the Zagreb Open Ranking Event in Zagreb, Croatia.
This was the first time that Blades has competed at 68 kg/150 lbs. Last summer Blades won silver at 76kg/167 lbs.
Blades is ranked #1 at 160 for the Iowa Hawkeyes.
68 kg – Kennedy Blades (USA)
WIN Kendra Dacher (France), fall 0:35
WIN Adela Hanzlickova (Czech Republic), fall 2:51
WIN Noémi Szabados (Hungary), tech fall 10-0
WIN Karolina Pok (Hungary) tech fall 12-0
The #2 Iowa Hawkeyes hosted #4 Nebraska is sold out legendary Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Friday.
I have been going to Iowa Wrestling meets in Carver-Hawkeye Arena since it opened on January 3, 1983 when Iowa defeated Oklahoma, 35-7.
This was the biggest comeback that I remember. Possibly the biggest comeback in Iowa Wrestling history.
We were down 16-9 going into the last two weights and Nebraska had two ranked wrestlers.
A pin by Stephen Buchanan with just :08 left and a major decision by Ben Kueter secured a 19-16 win.
The crowd noise after #4 Kyle Parco won by a 3-2 decision over #2 Ridge Lovett (N) was deafening. The noise level after Buchanan’s pin was even louder.
What a great event to be a part of and worthy of the label: Instant classic.
I am always saying that Iowa Wrestling is my entertainment. I believe all of us in the Hawkeye nation were very entertained.
#2 Iowa 19, #4 Nebraska 16
125 – #8 Caleb Smith (N) dec. #26 Joey Cruz (I), 2-1
133 – #3 Drake Ayala (I) dec. #15 Jacob Van Dee (N), 4-2
141 – #6 Brock Hardy (N) major dec. Cullan Schriever (I), 14-3
149 – #4 Kyle Parco (I) dec. #2 Ridge Lovett (N), 3-2
157 – #4 Antrell Taylor (N) dec. Miguel Estrada (I), 4-2
165 – #2 Michael Caliendo (I) dec. #8 Christopher Minto (N), 5-1
174 – #14 Lenny Pinto (N) dec. #6 Patrick Kennedy (I), 18-11
184 – #8 Silas Allred (N) dec. #5 Gabe Arnold (I), 4-1 SV1
197 – #1 Stephen Buchanan (I) pinned #20 Camden McDanel (N), 6:52
285 – #11 Ben Kueter (N) dec. #21 Harley Andrews (N), 8-0
Saturday, February 8
Our incoming recruits had a good weekend of results. The tournament season is underway.
It is great to add Bo Bassett to my weekly Recruits in action series.
Bo was 3-0 at PIAA AA Duals in Altoona. Wrestling up a weight at 152 Bo had two pins and a major decision. In the finals Bo defeated Max Stein(Faith Christian) 17-9. Stein is ranked #2 in Pennsylvania and #12 in the country at 152.
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.
That was a great week of Iowa Wrestling.
No on to the upcoming week of Iowa Wrestling.
Iowa will be back in action on Friday, February 14 at #5 Minnesota at 8 PM CST on BTN.
It is great to be an Iowa Wrestling fan.
Go Hawks!
