I always like to give myself a little time after a big dual meet before I write about it. I like to go over my memories of past dual meets and all of the great memories I have of Iowa Wrestling from over the years.
Simply put, Iowa defeating Oklahoma State 21-16 last night was special even by Iowa Wrestling standards.
I have been going to Iowa Wrestling meets in Carver-Hawkeye Arena since it opened on January 3, 1983. Last night will take its place as one of the best.
Everything was set up for a great night:
Last dual meet of the year in sold out legendary Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
Iowa vs. Oklahoma State. A great rivalry between the two most successful programs in college wrestling history.
The meet was in primetime and the last dual meet of the college wrestling season. The entire country was watching on BTN.
Letterwinners of the past for Iowa Wrestling formed a tunnel for the Iowa wrestlers to walk through to get to the mat. The Letterwinners were also recognized at intermission.
On paper it looked like Iowa had their work cut out for them to win the dual meet. An upset would be needed to win the dual meet.
True freshman Angelo Ferrari provided the upset at 184 with a thrilling overtime win over #3 ranked previously undefeated Dustin Plott, 6-3 SV1.
Last night had it all for Iowa Wrestling. You will not hear a wrestling crowd as loud as what Carver-Hawkeye Arena was last night. The Hawks entertained on the mat and the Iowa Wrestling fans let them know by being heard.
You cannot beat the entertainment of a wrestling dual meet. Every one of the ten matches was a battle and the Hawks left it all on the mat. Fans cannot ask for more.
Stephan Buchanan getting a tilt for the major decision at the end with the match and dual meet secured was as Iowa Wrestling as it gets. Maybe there are college wrestlers out there that will want to follow the path that Buchanan has taken.
I believe it is safe to say that Angelo Ferrari is even better than advertised as the overall #1 recruit in the country.
Any recruit watching that dual meet and hearing that crowd has to imagine what it would be like to be on that mat like Ferrari was in the Black and Gold of Iowa Wrestling.
I would also think that last night would inspire existing and potentially new donors to contribute to Iowa Wrestling in this new era of NIL. How could it not?
As fans we had the Nebraska and Oklahoma State dual meets this season that were incredibly entertaining. As a fan I am grateful.
These are the type of dual meets that will lead to Iowa being sold out from season tickets sales in early November for an unbelievable fifth straight year next season.
What a great event to be a part of.
Thank you Iowa Wrestling for an incredible dual meet that provided amazing entertainment for so many.
Now onward to Big Tens and Nationals.
Let’s get ‘em in the middle.
#3 Iowa 21, #2 Oklahoma State 16
125 – #4 Troy Spratley (O) major dec. #16 Joey Cruz (I), 17-3
133 – #2 Drake Ayala (I) major dec. Rin Sakamoto (O), 11-1
141 – #5 Tagen Jamison (O) major dec. Jace Rhodes (I), 8-0
149 – #3 Kyle Parco (I) dec. #18 Carter Young (O), 7-1
157 – #3 Jacori Teemer (I) dec. #14 Caleb Fish (O), 10-6
165 – #2 Michael Caliendo (I) major dec. #6 Cameron Amine (O), 10-1
174 – #3 Dean Hamiti Jr. (O) dec. Nelson Brands (I), 8-1
184 – Angelo Ferrari (I) dec. #3 Dustin Plott (O), 6-3 SV1
197 – #1 Stephen Buchanan (I) major dec. #6 Luke Surber (O), 10-1
285 – #3 Wyatt Hendrickson (O) tech. fall #11 Ben Kueter (I)
It is great to be an Iowa Wrestling fan.
Go Hawks!
