Sammy Alvarez announced on social media that he is transferring to the University of Iowa. Last season Alvarez placed 7th at 149 for Ryder with a 25-7 record and was named the MAC Wrestler of the Year.
From my understanding Alvarez has filed a waiver with the NCAA for a seventh year of eligibility.
At the 2025 National Wrestling Championships Alvarez was seeded #11. After an opening round win Alvarez lost his match in the Round of 16 and then won three straight matches.
In the Blood Round of 12 Alvarez defeated Jordan Williams of Little Rock 5-0 to become an All American. Williams announced on March 29 that he was transferring to Iowa.
Alvarez began his college career at Rutgers where was an NCAA Qualifier at 133 in 2020 as a true freshman when Nationals was cancelled.
For the 2023-24 season Alvarez transferred to Oklahoma State. He started at 141 and bumped up to 149 in December and had a 15-5 record.
Alvarez, originally from Garfield, New Jersey(Saint Joseph Regional HS), was a three-time finalist and 2019 New Jersey State champion at 126. He was ranked #3 at 126 and #34 P4P by FloWrestling.
Iowa Wrestling Transfers
125 – Dean Petersen from Rutgers with one year of eligibility remaining.
133 but projected at 141 – Nasir Bailey of Little Rock with two years of eligibility and a redshirt remaining.
149 – Jordan Williams of Little Rock with two years of eligibility remaining.
149 – Sammy Alvarez of Ryder with one year of eligibility remaining.
197 – Massoma Endene of Wartburg with one year of eligibility remaining.
It is great to be an Iowa Wrestling fan.
Go Hawks!
