The great news from Saturday night is Iowa defeated Iowa State 21-15 for the 20th straight time in the rivalry. The bad news was #1 ranked Jacori Teemer at 157 had an injury default at 3:32 in the second period. I can only speculate that it looked like a pulled hamstring.
I have no idea how long Teemer will be out of the lineup. I mentioned in my blog Saturday on the dual meet about possible replacements at 157 while Teemer is out of the lineup.
For starters Iowa does not compete again until Friday, December 6 at the Journeymen Wrestling “Uncivil War” in St. Charles, Missouri. The Hawks will face Princeton and Army.
I checked the most recent InterMat rankings and Princeton and Army did not have a wrestler ranked at 157.
Let’s take a look at the possible replacements at 157.
Other than Teemer the only wrestler listed at 157 on the roster is Isaiah Fenton who has not competed this season.
Iowa Wrestling is stacked at 149 as the deepest weight on the roster. My first thought was Caleb Rathjen who was an NCAA Qualifier at 149 last year would get the call and bump up for the dual meets in Missouri.
Rathjen wrestled 157 for us at Oregon State in the fist dual meet of the season where he dropped a 12-3 major decision to Ethan Stiles. Rathjen was 6-0 with three major decisions in winning the 149 lbs. title at the Grand View Open where he defeated teammate Kael Voinovich 4-3 in the finals.
True freshman Kael Voinovich has had an impressive start to his career at Iowa. With a 7-1 record with one pin, four major decisions, a medical forfeit and his only loss is to Rathjen. Voinovich has also wrestled in the elite division at the Luther Open that he won and also at the Grand View Open. He has sought out the best competition and done really well.
Victor Voinovich, a junior has not completed yet this season. Last year Voinovich split time in the starting lineup at 149 with Rathjen.
The wrestler that I really want to see in the lineup is true freshman Miguel Estrada who is listed at 149/157 on the roster. I have mentioned in earlier blogs that Estrada was underrated coming out of high school. Injuries limited his senior season last year and he placed fourth in California. Estrada made an impressive showing when he defeated Ryan Garvick 12-6 at the Pittsburgh Classic in March with six takedowns.
I was able to see Estrada workout at the open practice on October 12. This guy looks the part of an elite DI wrestler. Real physical. I know it is a big jump from winning the Fresh/Soph division at the Luther Open and Grand View Open to the Big Ten but I believe he is ready. Estrada is 10-0 with three pins, three tech falls, two major decisions, a medical forfeit and a decision.
From my understanding a true freshman can compete up to five times and not burn a year of eligibility. Kael Voinovich and Miguel Estrada have a great opportunity if it is presented to them.
After the dual meets on December 6 Iowa will not compete again until Soldier Salute on December 29-30. It would be interesting to see Rathjen, Voinovich and Estrada compete at the same weight of 149 or 157 at Soldier Salute.
Looking ahead, the Big Ten schedule begins on January 12 at Wisconsin followed by Illinois on January 17, Ohio State on January 25 and at Penn State on January 31.
Of course I am hoping we see Teemer on the mat as soon as possible but in the meantime we have good options at 157.
It is great to be an Iowa Wrestling fan.
Go Hawks!
