Iowa recruits in action: Jan 26-27 RESULTS

Our incoming Iowa Wrestling recruits had a perfect weekend of wrestling. The incoming recruits for the men’s program were a combined 10-0 with six pins and four tech falls. 

Drake Ayala won the Alliance Conference Tournament with a fall and two tech falls. Jake Howell was 2-0 with two pins to win the Centennial League Championships and Leister Bowling was 4-0 with three pins and a tech fall to win the Duff Seaney Invitational.

Leo DeLuca won by tech fall over Aiden Yarussi of North Hunterdon in a dual meet.

Our recruits for the women’s program were a combined 11-0 with 11 pins at Regionals. Nine of the eleven pins were in the first period. Regionals is the first step to win a state title.

Cadence Diduch was 3-0 with three pins at the IHSA Girls Regional in Erie, Kiara Djoumessi was 4-0 with four pins at Regional Qualifier 7, and Naomi Simon was 4-0 with four pins at Regional Qualifier 8.

As I have done for years I will continue to post a blog on Friday of where our incoming recruits will be competing for the weekend and a follow up blog with results.

 


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Recruiting Class of 2024

Dru Ayala – Fort Dodge, Iowa  120 lbs.

Sat Jan 27 – at Alliance Conference Tournament (DM North)

Quarterfinal – Dru Ayala (Fort Dodge) won by fall over Jameson Jordan (Des Moines Roosevelt) (Fall 1:18)

Semifinal – Dru Ayala (Fort Dodge) won by tech fall over James Headrick (Ames) (TF-1.5 5:07 (18-3))

1st Place Match – Dru Ayala (Fort Dodge) won by tech fall over Reed Kruger (Mason City) (TF-1.5 4:45 (22-7))

 

Keyan Hernandez – Billings (West), Montana 126 lbs.

No competition scheduled.

 

Miguel Estrada  Bakersfield (Frontier HS), California  144 lbs.

No competition scheduled.

 

Angelo Ferrari – Melissa, Texas  175 lbs.

No competition scheduled.

 

Jake Howell –  Glenwood Village (Cherry Creek HS), Colorado  215 lbs.

Sat Jan 27 – at Centennial League Championships (Arapahoe HS/Centennial)

Quarterfinal – Jake Howell (Cherry Creek) received a bye

Semifinal – Jake Howell (Cherry Creek) won by fall over Matthew Redfearn (Arapahoe) (Fall 2:38)

1st Place Match – Jake Howell (Cherry Creek) won by fall over Amani Fuque (Mullen) (Fall 1:30)

 

Recruiting Class of 2025

Leo DeLuca  – Blair Academy New Jersey  120 lbs.

Sat Jan 27 – North Hunterdon (dual meet)

Leo DeLuca (Blair) won by tech fall over Aiden Yarussi (North Hunterdon)

 

Leister Bowling – Mead, Colorado  175 lbs.

Sat Jan 27 – at Duff Seaney Invitational (Canyon City)

Champ. Round 1 – Leister Bowling (Mead) won by fall over Xavier Hoyle (Ellicott) (Fall 2:38)

Quarterfinal – Leister Bowling (Mead) won by tech fall over Kai Wilcox (Colorado Springs Christian School) (TF-1.5 3:55 (21-6))

Semifinal – Leister Bowling (Mead) won by fall over Jeff Dooley (Manitou Springs) (Fall 2:30)

1st Place Match – Leister Bowling (Mead) won by fall over Arath Lopez (Rifle) (Fall 3:49)

 

Women’s Recruiting Class of 2024

Val Solorio – Canon-McMillan HS, Pennsylvania  100 lbs.

No competition scheduled.

 

Karlee Brooks – Valiant College Prep HS (Phoenix, AZ)  120 lbs.

No competition scheduled.

 

Cadence Diduch – Freeport, Illinois  135 lbs.

Fri/Sat Jan 26-27 – at IHSA Girls Regional (Erie)

Quarterfinal – Cadence Diduch (Freeport (H.S.)) won by fall over Skyann Munz (Sterling (H.S.)) (Fall 4:47)

Semifinal – Cadence Diduch (Freeport (H.S.)) won by fall over Gia Ritter (Geneseo) (Fall 1:37)

1st Place Match – Cadence Diduch (Freeport (H.S.)) won by fall over Nadia Anderson (Sherrard) (Fall 1:03)

 

Kiara Djoumessi – Waverly-Shell Rock, Iowa  140 lbs.

Fri Jan 26 – at Regional Qualifier 7 (Mason City)

Champ. Round 1 – Kiara Djoumessi (Waverly-Shell Rock) received a bye

Champ. Round 2 – Kiara Djoumessi (Waverly-Shell Rock won by fall over Chralie Larsen (Clear Lake) (Fall 1:04)

Quarterfinal – Kiara Djoumessi (Waverly-Shell Rock) won by fall over Olivia Hoy (NH/TV) (Fall 0:25)

Semifinal – Kiara Djoumessi (Waverly-Shell Rock) won by fall over Anna Johnson (Cedar Falls) (Fall 3:08)

1st Place Match – Kiara Djoumessi (Waverly-Shell Rock) won by fall over Abigail O`Rear (West Delaware, Manchester) (Fall 0:52)

 

Naomi Simon – Decorah, Iowa 170 lbs.

Fri Jan 26 – at Regional Qualifier 8 (Mason City)

Champ. Round 1 – Naomi Simon (Decorah) received a bye

Champ. Round 2 – Naomi Simon (Decorah) won by fall over Jordynn Fink (Center Point-Urbana) (Fall 1:17)

Quarterfinal – Naomi Simon (Decorah) won by fall over Addison Schenker (Osage) (Fall 0:44)

Semifinal – Naomi Simon (Decorah) won by fall over Kailan McEwen (BCLUW-SH) (Fall 1:11)

1st Place Match – Naomi Simon (Decorah) won by fall over Kynnedy Gunderson (Iowa Falls-Alden) (Fall 1:01)

 

It is great to be an Iowa Wrestling fan.

Go Hawks!

Schedule for huge weekend of Iowa Wrestling

We have a huge weekend of Iowa wrestling upon us. There is so much going on I wanted to list a schedule to keep you organized and ready to go following the Hawks.

Actually the weekend has already started with our recruits in competition in Regionals. In Mason City Kiara Djoumessi in Regional Qualifier 7, Naomi Simon at the Regional Qualifier 8 and Cadence Diduch at the IHSA Girls Regional in Erie, IL all received a first round bye.

 

Friday, January 26

Iowa Women’s Wrestling recruits competing in Regionals

https://iowawrestlingblog.com/2024/01/iowa-recruits-in-action-jan-26-27/

Iowa Women’s team at Indiana Tech Duals vs. Campbellsville at 2 PM CST and Indiana Tech at 4 PM

https://iowawrestlingblog.com/2024/01/iowa-womens-wrestling-team-at-indiana-tech-duals-jan-26/

Iowa vs. Illinois on BTN at 8 PM

https://iowawrestlingblog.com/2024/01/illinois-and-northwestern-preview/

 


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Saturday, January 27

Iowa Women’s team at Indiana Tech Warrior Open at 8 AM CST

10 Hawks competing at Flash Flanagan Open at 9 AM

https://iowawrestlingblog.com/2024/01/hawks-to-compete-at-flash-flanagan-open-2/

Iowa recruits in action across the country

https://iowawrestlingblog.com/2024/01/iowa-recruits-in-action-jan-26-27/

 

 

Sunday, January 28

Iowa vs. Northwestern at 2 PM 

https://iowawrestlingblog.com/2024/01/illinois-and-northwestern-preview/

 

I will have follow up blogs with results for all of the Iowa Wrestling competition this weekend.

 

It is great to be an Iowa Wrestling fan.

Go Hawks!

Iowa recruits in action: Jan 26-27

We have another big weekend of competition for our incoming Iowa Wrestling recruits. Dru Ayala will be at the Alliance Conference Tournament at Des Moines North High School and Keyan Hernandez will be at the 19-team Battle on the Bighorn in Hardin, Montana on Saturday.

In Colorado on Saturday Jake Howell will be at the Centennial League Championships in Centennial and Leister Bowling will be at the 24-team Duff Seaney Invitational in Canyon City.

Leo DeLuca will have a home dual meet against North Hunterdon on Saturday.

It is tournament time for girls wrestling. Regionals is the first step for our recruits becoming a state champion. Cadence Diduch will be at the IHSA Girls Regional in Erie on Friday and Saturday. 

On Friday in Mason City Kiara Djoumessi will be competing at Regional Qualifier 7 and Naomi Simon at the Regional Qualifier 8.

Best of luck to all of our recruits as they pursue becoming a 2024 state champion.

As I have done for years I will continue to post a blog on Friday of where our incoming recruits will be competing for the weekend and a follow up blog with results.

 


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Recruiting Class of 2024

Dru Ayala – Fort Dodge, Iowa  120 lbs.

Sat Jan 27 – at Alliance Conference Tournament (DM North)

 

Keyan Hernandez – Billings (West), Montana 126 lbs.

Sat Jan 27 – at Battle on the Big Horn (Hardin, MT)

 

Miguel Estrada  Bakersfield (Frontier HS), California  144 lbs.

No competition scheduled.

 

Angelo Ferrari – Melissa, Texas  175 lbs.

No competition scheduled.

 

Jake Howell –  Glenwood Village (Cherry Creek HS), Colorado  215 lbs.

Sat Jan 27 – at Centennial League Championships (Arapahoe HS/Centennial)

 

Recruiting Class of 2025

Leo DeLuca  – Blair Academy New Jersey  120 lbs.

Sat Jan 27 – North Hunterdon (dual meet)

 

Leister Bowling – Mead, Colorado  175 lbs.

Sat Jan 27 – at Duff Seaney Invitational (Canyon City)

 

Women’s Recruiting Class of 2024

Val Solorio – Canon-McMillan HS, Pennsylvania  100 lbs.

No competition scheduled.

 

Karlee Brooks – Valiant College Prep HS (Phoenix, AZ)  120 lbs.

No competition scheduled.

 

Cadence Diduch – Freeport, Illinois  135 lbs.

Fri/Sat Jan 26-27 – at IHSA Girls Regional (Erie)

 

Kiara Djoumessi – Waverly-Shell Rock, Iowa  140 lbs.

Fri Jan 26 – at Regional Qualifier 7 (Mason City)

 

Naomi Simon – Decorah, Iowa 170 lbs.

Fri Jan 26 – at Regional Qualifier 8 (Mason City)

 

It is great to be an Iowa Wrestling fan.

Go Hawks!

Hawks to compete at Flash Flanagan Open

Ten Iowa wrestlers will be competing at the Pat “Flash” Flanagan Open in Dubuque on Saturday, January 27. Iowa wrestlers have been competing at this tournament for years. Wrestling will begin at 9 AM in the Graber Sports Center on the Loras campus.

Former Iowa Hawkeye Jeren Glosser is the Head Coach at Loras and Aaron Costello is an Assistant Coach.

I will post a blog with results.

 


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133 – Kale Petersen

141 – Charles Matthews

149 – Cade Siebrecht

157 – Carter Martinson

165 – Carson Martinson*

165 – Isaiah Fenton*

165 – Drake Rhodes

174 – Will Carano

184 – Aidan McCain*

Hwt – Easton Fleshman*

Unattached – *

 

It is great to be an Iowa Wrestling fan.

Go Hawks!

Illinois and Northwestern Preview

The Iowa Hawkeyes will take to the road this weekend for two Big Ten dual meets. The Hawks will be at Illinois on Friday at 8PM. On Sunday Iowa will be at Northwestern at 2 PM.

As with all Big Ten matches you always have to be looking ahead for seeds at the Big Ten Championships and even the NCAA National Tournament. Every match counts for seeds.

Iowa has only one wrestler listed at each weight except for at Hwt where Brad Hill and Ben Kueter are both listed. Hill is ranked #28 by InterMat and Kueter is #28 by Flo.

The big match for me this weekend will be at 174 where we will see #9 Patrick Kennedy vs. #3 Edmond Ruth of Illinois. This will be a great test to see where Kennedy is at on the national scene. This is the type of match that you could see in the semifinals of the National Tournament. I am looking forward to it. 

Cullan Schriever is at 133 and Caleb Rathjen at 149. #11 Rathjen may face #8 Kannon Webster of Illinois. The starting spot at 133 and 149 is on the line. Actually I thought we may see Victor Voinovich in one of the matches this weekend at 149.

I am looking for Iowa to win these two dual meets by a lopsided score. 

The Iowa-Illinois meet on Friday, January 26 will be live on BTN at 8 PM. 

The Iowa-Northwestern meet on Sunday, January 28 will be streamed on BIG+ at 2 PM.

You can listen to both Iowa dual meets on iheart.com, YouTube, and AM 800 KXIC where Steven Grace and Mark Ironside will call the action.

 


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3 IOWA HAWKEYES (8-0) 2023-24 Overall

Wt. Rank^ Name Yr. Hometown/High School Record

125 3/5/6/4 Drake Ayala So. Fort Dodge, Iowa/Fort Dodge 15-2

133 Cullan Schriever Jr. Mason City, Iowa/Mason City 6-1

141 1/1/1/1 Real Woods R-Sr. Albuquerque, New Mexico/Montini Catholic (Ill.) 12-0

149 16/11/14/17 Caleb Rathjen So. Ankeny, Iowa/Ankeny 11-2

157 4/2/2/3 Jared Franek Grad. Harwood, North Dakota/West Fargo 16-1

165 7/6/6/7 Michael Caliendo So. Geneva, Illinois/Batavia 16-1

174 11/9/13/8 Patrick Kennedy Jr. Kasson-Mantorville, Minnesota/Kasson-Mantorville 8-2

184 Aiden Riggins R-Fr. Janesville, Iowa/Waverly-Shell Rock 9-9

197 10/14/13/13 Zach Glazier Sr. Albert Lea, Minnesota/Albert Lea 16-0

285 –/28/–/– Bradley Hill R-Fr. Bettendorf, Iowa/Bettendorf 14-4

-or- –/–/28/– Ben Kueter Fr. Iowa City, Iowa/Iowa City 1-0

^ WIN/Intermat/Flo/AWN

 

ILLINOIS FIGHTING ILLINI (3-4) 2023-24 Overall

Wt. Rank^ Name Yr. Hometown/High School Record

125 Justin Cardani R-Sr Champaign, Illinois/Centennial 2-5

-or- Caelan Riley So. Libertyville, Illinois/Libertyville 8-4

133 –/30/29/– Tony Madrigal Grad. Chicago, Illinois/Oak Park & River Forest 1-2

141 –/25/22/– Danny Pucino R-So. Libertyville, Illinois/Libertyville 8-6

-or- Will Baysingar Fr. Mt. Prospect, Illinois/Prospect 7-5

149 Jake Harrier R-So. Algonquin, Illinois/Jacobs 2-6

-or- 6/8/10/5 Kannon Webster Fr. Toulon, Illinois/Washington Community 11-1

157 Joe Roberts Jr. Aurora, Illinois/Montini Catholic 5-4

165 –/24/32/– Chris Moore Fr. McHenry, Illinois/McHenry 7-5

174 6/3/5/5 Edmond Ruth R-Jr. Harrisburg, Pennsylvania/Susquehanna Township 12-1

184 –/29/30/– Dylan Connell R-So. Marengo, Illinois/Marian Central Catholic 3-4

197 Chase Waggoner Jr. Lake Forest, Illinois/Lake Forest 2-6

-or- Joey Braunagel Jr. Belleville, Illinois/Althoff Catholic5-5

285 Sungyup Ryu Fr. Seoul, South Korea/Porrsmouth Abbey 5-5

-or- Peter Marinopolous Fr. Chicago, Illinois/Marist 4-1

 

NORTHWESTERN WILDCATS (0-2) 2023-24 Overall

Wt. Rank^ Name Yr. Hometown/High School Record

125 Massey Odiotti Fr. Wilmette, Illinois/Loyola Academy 3-8

133 Patrick Adams So. Jersey City, New Jersey/St. Peter’s Prep 0-6

141 Joel VanderVere So. Gurnee, Illinois/Warren Township4-2

-or- Luis Bazan Fr. Winter Park, Florida/Lake Highland Prep 1-4

149 Aiden Vandenbush So. Random Lake/Random Lake 3-10

-or- Sam Cartella Fr. Hudson, Ohio/Western Reserve Academy 13-7

157 20/19/22/19 Trevor Chumbley Jr. St. Charles, Illinosi/Marmion Academy 10-5

165 20/15/18/15 Maxx Mayfield Jr. Lincoln, Nebraska/Lincoln East 11-6

174 David Ferrante Jr. Evansville, Indiana/Mater Dei 9-7

-or- Joseph Martin R-Fr. Clovis, California/Buchanan 3-2

184 –/24/23/17 Troy Fisher R-Fr. Garden Plain, Kansas/Goddard 8-11

197 Evan Bates So. Chesteron, Indiana/Chesterton 6-6

285 Jack Jessen Sr.. Villa Park, Illinois/Willowbrook 4-3

-or- Jon Halvorsen Jr. Park Ridge, Illinois/Maine South 5-4

^ WIN/Intermat/Flo/AWN

 

It is great to be an Iowa Wrestling fan.

Go Hawks!

Iowa Women’s Wrestling team at Indiana Tech Duals Jan 26

The Iowa Women’s Wrestling team will be on the road for two dual meets on Friday, January 26 at the Indiana Tech Warrior Duals in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Iowa will face Campbellsville at 2 PM CST and Indiana Tech at 4 PM.

In NAIA rankings Indiana Tech is #13 with ten wrestlers ranked. Campbellsville is ranked #13 with nine ranked wrestlers.

The Indiana Tech dual meet will be streamed live on the Indiana Tech Athletics YouTube page:   https://www.youtube.com/@INTechWarriors

Probable lineups were not released by the University of Iowa for any of the programs competing.

The Indiana Tech Warrior Open on Saturday is listed on the Iowa Women’s Wrestling schedule but was not mentioned in the press release. I will let you know if we have any of our wrestlers compete on Saturday.

 


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Iowa is ranked #2 in the country in the NWCA NCAA Women’s Coaches Rankings.

NWCA NCAA Women’s Coaches Rankings – January 18, 2024

101 – #1 Emilie Gonzalez  #2 Sterling Dias

109 – #2 Ava Bayless

116 – #3 Brianna Gonzalez

123 – #3 Felicity Taylor 

130 – #10 Emily Frost

143 – #2 Resse Larramendy  #4 Ella Schmit 

155 – #1 Marlynne Deede  #9 Bella Mir

170 – #1 Kylie Welker  #3 Haley Ward

191 – #3 Jaycee Fowler  #9 Alivia White

 

NAIA Rankings

101 11th Makayla Young Indiana Tech    101 14th Sydney Kutzke Indiana Tech

101 15th Riley Banyas Campbellsville University

109 9th Tehani Soares Indiana Tech

116 4th Icart Galumette Campbellsville University   116 20th Riley Horvath Indiana Tech

123 5th Josie Davis Campbellsville University

130 10th Ellyana Kuzma Indiana Tech  130 20th Marisa Moffitt Indiana Tech 8

130 15th Cameron Ortiz Campbellsville University

136 10th Gabriella Perez Campbellsville University   136 15th Taylor Howell Campbellsville University

136 19th Carley Anderson Indiana Tech

143 2nd Emma Walker Campbellsville University   143 15th Maia Crumb Indiana Tech

155 4th Kendra Thompson Campbellsville University

170 12th Grace Doering Indiana Tech   170 16th Catherine McNulty Indiana Tech 

170 15th Sierra Chavez Campbellsville University

 

It is great to be an Iowa Wrestling fan.

Go Hawks!

Tickets now on sale for NCWWC in Cedar Rapids

Tickets are now on sale for the 2024 National Collegiate Women’s Wrestling Championships that will be held in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The Alliant Center Powerhouse in downtown Cedar Rapids will host the tournament on Friday and Saturday, March 8-9. 

There have been several national tournaments for college wrestling held at the Alliant Center Powerhouse (formerly 5 Seasons Center) in Cedar Rapids over the last ten years. I am confident that the locals of eastern Iowa will put on a great tournament. Let’s hope that they host this tournament again in the near future.

 


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The University of Iowa is currently ranked #2 in the country in the first year of competition for the program. The presence of Iowa alone should be a big boost in bringing in a good crowd to the national tournament. 

For more information and to order tickets:

https://www.themat.com/news/2024/january/22/tickets-on-sale-today-for-the-national-collegiate-women-s-wrestling-championships-in-cedar-rapids-iowa#:~:text=Tickets%20go%20on%20sale%20to,March%208%2D9%2C%202024.

It is great to be an Iowa Wrestling fan.

Go Hawks!

Iowa Wrestling update

There is not a better way to combat winter than a full weekend of Iowa Wrestling. Hawkeye fans had a full weekend of Iowa Wrestling and I wanted to do an update. 

The weekend started off in the right direction when Iowa defeated Purdue 34-6 in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Overall I thought the Hawks looked good. 

The biggest match of the night by far was at 125 with #1 Drake Ayala dropping a 4-1 decision to #2 Matt Ramos. In a seven minute intense match and the deciding factor is an eye blink of a shot that led to the only takedown of the match. That was the biggest match to date for Ayala in his career. I look for him to improve and get better from the results of that match.

I will admit that Cullan Schriever had me worried in the first period at 133. Dustin Norris of Purdue came out with a quick takedown and tough ride. It was all Schriever after that as he finished up with a 20-7 major decision. I believe Schriever has so much potential that we have just not seen yet. I have no idea who will take the mat between Schriever and Brody Teske at Big Tens in March. Then again I am not sure anybody knows at this time.

#1 Real Woods defeated #32 Greyson Clark, 8-0. A solid win but not the best showing for Woods. 

Victor Voinovich made a big statement Friday night with a 19-4 tech fall in 6:15. Voinovich looked like a completely different wrestler than what we saw earlier in the season. He was chain wrestling and scoring with a lot of offense. There is a real battle for the starting spot at 149 with Voinovich and #11 Caleb Rathjen. It will be interesting to see who gets the varsity matches in upcoming dual meets. As with 133 we may not know until Big Tens who the starter is at 149.

#2 Jared Franek won a 2-1 decision over #16 Joey Blaze. It is rare that a takedown is not scored in a match. On Sunday Blaze pinned #3 Peyton Robb of Nebraska in the third period when the score was 2-1.

#6 Mike Caliendo defeated Stoney Buell at 165, 9-4. Caliendo is a really good athlete and is fun to watch. 

#9 Patrick Kennedy is looking t-o-u-g-h. He has settled in at 174 and has to be gaining confidence. As a fan I liked the 19-4 tech fall in only 4:43 over Brody Baumann. It will be interesting to see how Kennedy keeps progressing as we enter the tournament season. Patrick Kennedy is definitely trending in the right direction.

Aiden Riggins dropped a 4-1 decision at 184. I certainly respect the effort of Riggins, who is competing up two weight classes.

I have been going back in my memory of Iowa Wrestling about 197 and Hwt. I cannot remember a time when Iowa had wrestlers at 197 and Hwt win back-to-back matches by tech fall in a Big Ten meet.

Zach Glazier is starting to make it look easy with a 20-5 tech fall in just 3:15. You do not see an 18-4 score at the end of the first period at 197 too often, if ever. This guy is lighting up the scoreboard. And still only ranked at the highest #14?  

Brad Hill at Hwt. was also impressive with a 19-4 tech fall in 4:04. Most of the buzz at Hwt has been about Ben Kueter. Hill continues to impress me and makes the most out of every match. This guy scores a lot of points and that is rare for a freshman Hwt.

Iowa Wrestling is my entertainment and I like to see the Hawks put points on the board. 197 and Hwt have been really entertaining so far. The remaining schedule is all Big Ten teams and Oklahoma State that will provide top competition. We will know pretty quick just how good Iowa is at 197 and Hwt. I sure like what I am seeing.

Iowa will hit the road for two dual meets this weekend. The Hawks will be a will be at #17 Illinois on Friday and Northwestern on Sunday. I will have a preview later in the week.

As a side note I thought the officiating was again pretty bad Friday night. I swear Carver-Hawkeye Arena is where top officials go to have their worst performance of the year. Where do I get that? They can’t be that bad all of the time or they would not be officiating big meets. The inconsistency with stalling calls is frustrating. Go watch D-I college wrestling matches from the 80’s on YouTube and you will see what I mean.

 


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#2 Iowa 34, Purdue 6

125 – #2 Matt Ramos (P) dec. #1 Drake Ayala (I), 4-1

133 – Cullan Schriever (I) major dec. Dustin Norris (P), 20-7

141 – #1 Real Woods (I) major dec. #32 Greyson Clark (P), 8-0

149 — Victor Voinovich III (I) tech. fall Marcus Polanco (P), 19-4

157 – #2 Jared Franek (I) dec. #16 Joey Blaze (P), 2-1

165 – #6 Michael Caliendo (I) dec. Stoney Buell (P), 9-4

174 – #9 Patrick Kennedy (I) tech. fall Brody Baumann (P), 19-4

184 – James Rowley (P) dec. Aiden Riggins (I), 5-1

197 – #14 Zach Glazier (I) tech. fall Ben Vanadia (P), 20-5

285 – Bradley Hill (I) tech. fall Tristan Ruhlman (P), 19-4

 

The Hawkeye Wrestling Club had their annual Arctic Plunge on Saturday. The frigid temperatures were right on time for an event with arctic in the title. It sounds as though an all time record amount of money was raised to support the HWC. Thank you to all that participated. 

 

The Iowa Women’s Wrestling team had another impressive showing in legendary Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Sunday at the Iowa Duals. Iowa dominated two opponents and entertained the home crowd with high scoring matches. This was the final home dual meet for Iowa this season. 

Iowa won nineteen of twenty matches including ten tech falls and five pins.

The Hawks defeated Missouri Valley College 42-0 with six tech falls, three pins, and 7-0 decision. Iowa then defeated Life (ranked #1 in NAIA) 35-6 with five tech falls and one pin.

The attendance was listed at 6,675. That is great support for our first year program.

On Facebook the Iowa Women’s Wrestling team had a picture of our wrestlers signing autographs after the meet. Great to see that. I see the popularity of the Iowa Women’s wrestling program continue to grow with each passing year.

Iowa will compete again on Friday at the Indiana Tech Duals in Fort Wayne, Indiana with dual meets at 2 PM and 4 PM. I will have a preview later in the week.

#2 Iowa 42, Missouri Valley College 0

101 — Emilie Gonzalez (I) pinned Sage Beltran (M), 0:57
109 — Ava Bayless (I) tech. fall Hailey Holland (M), 11-0
116 — Brianna Gonzalez (I) pinned Laura Lincoln (M), 1:40
123 — Felicity Taylor (I) tech. fall Ashley Whetzal (M), 10-0
130 — Emily Frost (I) tech. fall Chase Kiel (M), 11-0
136 — Lilly Luft (I) tech. fall Aniseta Acosta (M), 11-0
143 — Ella Schmit (I) tech. fall Willow Barnes (M), 10-0
155 — Bella Mir (I) tech. fall Elia Falcetti (M), 10-0
170 — Haley Ward (I) decision Kelani Corbett (M), 7-0
191 — Alivia White (I) pinned Tylah Allen (M), 1:16

 

#2 Iowa 35, Life University 6

101 — Sterling Dias (I) tech. fall Devyn Gomez (L), 10-0
109 — Ava Bayless (I) tech. fall Diana Gonzalez (L), 10-0
116 — Brianna Gonzalez (I) pinned Ariana Martinez (L), 2:07
123 — Felicity Taylor (I) tech. fall Anna Krejsa (L), 10-0
130 — Sarah Savidge (L) tech. fall Emily Frost (I), 11-0
136 — Lilly Luft (I) pinned Zaynah McBryde (L), 1:42
143 — Reese Larramendy (I) decision fall Jamilah McBryde (L), 12-4
155 — Marlynne Deede (I) decision Latifah McBryde (L), 3-1
170 — Kylie Welker (I) tech. fall Margaret Graham (L), 10-0
191 — Jaycee Foeller (I) decision Madeline Welch (L), 2-0

It is great to be an Iowa Wrestling fan.

Go Hawks!

Fullhart and Ramos to be inducted into Glen Brand HOF

Iowa Wrestling national champions Lee Fullhart and Tony Ramos will be inducted into the Class of 2024 Glen Brand Wrestling Hall of Fame. 

The Glen Brand Hall of Fame is a part of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum in Waterloo, Iowa that honors Iowans that made an impact as a wrestler, coach, or contributor to wrestling.

I was able to follow Fullhart’s career through high school where he was a three-time state champion at Decorah. At Iowa he was a four-time Big Ten champion, four-time All American, and the 1997 NCAA National champion at 190 lbs.

Fullhart was a federal officer with for the United States Border Patrol for years.

Ramos was a high ranked recruit coming out of Glenbard North High School in Chicago. Many will remember his pins in big dual meets with his undefeated career record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. 

Ramos placed third and second before winning the NCAA National title at 133 lbs. in 2014. Ramos represented Team USA at the 2014 and 2015 World Freestyle Championships. He is now the Associate Head Coach at North Carolina where he has been coaching since 2016.

 


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From NWHOF.org:

A banquet honoring the Class of 2024 will be held at Prairie Links Golf & Event Center in Waverly, Iowa, on June 21, 2024. Click here to purchase tickets. For more information, contact the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum at (319) 233-0745 or [email protected].

Lee Fullhart, a native of Decorah, Iowa, was a four-time conference champion and a three-time Iowa high school state champion with a career record of 140-7. Fullhart was a 1992 Cadet National Freestyle champion and a two-time Junior National freestyle All-American, finishing fifth in 1993 and second in 1994. He was an NCAA champion and a four-time All-American with a career record of 107-18 for the University of Iowa. He won his national title as a sophomore wrestling for the legendary Dan Gable before finishing third and second as a junior and senior wrestling for Jim Zalesky. Fullhart was the U.S. Freestyle Nationals champion in 2004 and finished runner-up four times. He was runner-up at the U.S. Olympic Trials twice and at the U.S. World Trials three times. Fullhart resides in his hometown of Decorah, Iowa with his wife, Doreen, and their sons, Bill and Edisen, and daughter, Jodi.

Tony Ramos was an NCAA champion at 133 pounds in 2014 and a three-time All-American for the University of Iowa. He had a career record of 120-14 and was named Iowa’s Male Athlete of the Year in 2014. He competed in the 2014 and 2015 World Championships. The Carroll Stream, Illinois native was a three-time Illinois state high school champion for Glenbard North High School. Ramos became a volunteer assistant coach for the University of North Carolina in 2016 and was promoted to assistant coach in 2018. He became associate head coach in 2019. Ramos is married to the former Megan Eskew, who was a volleyball team captain for the University of Iowa. The couple has two sons, A.J. and Lincoln, and two daughters, Calla and Molly.

Congratulations to Lee Fullhart and Tony Ramos for being inducted into the Glen Brand Hall of Fame.

It is great to be an Iowa Wrestling fan.

Go Hawks!

Iowa recruits in action: Jan 19-20 RESULTS

Our incoming recruits were competing across the country this weekend. Keyan Hernandez was 5-0 with three pins and a tech fall at AA Duals in Great Falls. Dru Ayala placed second at 120 at the Ed Winger Invitational in Urbandale.

Jake Howell placed second at the 40-team Top of the Rockies in Lafayette on Friday and Saturday. Leister Bowling was 4-0 at the Chadron Duals (NE) on Friday and won the 175 lbs. title at the 25-team Chadron Invitational on Saturday to go 8-0 on the weekend.

#1 nationally ranked Leo DeLuca was scheduled to face the #12 and #13 ranked wrestlers in the country but the St. Ed’s Duals were canceled on Saturday.

Kiara Djoumessi and Naomi Simon won titles at the 24-team Mason City Girls Invitational on Saturday. Djoumessi was 4-0 with four pins to win the 140 lbs. title and Simone was 3-0 with three pins to win the 170 lbs. title.

The end of the regular season is near as we gear up for the Tournaments. 

As I have done for years I will continue to post a blog on Friday of where our incoming recruits will be competing for the weekend and a follow up blog with results.

 


Diamond Dental, PC (logo)

 

Recruiting Class of 2024

Dru Ayala – Fort Dodge, Iowa  120 lbs.

Sat Jan 20 – at Ed Winger Invitational (Urbandale)

Champ. Round 1 – Dru Ayala (Fort Dodge) won by fall over Michael Dyett (Johnston) (Fall 0:37)

Quarterfinal – Dru Ayala (Fort Dodge) won by tech fall over Drew Anderson (Lewis Central) (TF-1.5 3:33 (22-7))

Semifinal – Dru Ayala (Fort Dodge) won by major decision over Cody Vandermark (Ankeny Centennial) (MD 17-5)

1st Place Match – Jake Knight (Bettendorf) won by decision over Dru Ayala (Fort Dodge) (Dec 5-3)

 

Keyan Hernandez – Billings (West), Montana 126 lbs.

Sat Jan 20 – at AA State Duals (Great Falls)

Keyan Hernandez (Billings West) over Jack Barrett (Missoula Hellgate) Fall 1:30

Keyan Hernandez (Billings West) over Mason Gutenberger (Belgrade) Dec 4-1

Keyan Hernandez (Billings West) over Jack Stone (Billings Senior High School) Fall 3:01

(132) Keyan Hernandez (Billings West) over Sam Nevin (Belgrade) TF 26-11

Keyan Hernandez (Billings West) over Ross Tolliver (Great Falls / MSDB) Fall 0:33

 

Miguel Estrada  Bakersfield (Frontier HS), California  144 lbs.

No competition scheduled.

 

Angelo Ferrari – Melissa, Texas  175 lbs.

No competition scheduled.

 

Jake Howell –  Glenwood Village (Cherry Creek HS), Colorado  215 lbs.

Fri/Sat Jan 19-20 – at Top of the Rockies (Lafayette, Colorado)

Champ. Round 1 – Jake Howell (Cherry Creek) received a bye () (Bye)

Champ. Round 2 – Jake Howell (Cherry Creek) won by fall over Cassius Garcia (Poudre) 6-5 (Fall 2:56)

Quarterfinal – Jake Howell (Cherry Creek) won by fall over Oz Nowick (Grandview) 16-5 (Fall 1:01)

Semifinal – Jake Howell (Cherry Creek) won by fall over Justyce Hostetler (Grand Island) 18-3 (Fall 0:39)

1st Place Match – Quinn Funk (Legacy) won by decision over Jake Howell (Cherry Creek) (Dec 7-3)

 

Recruiting Class of 2025

Leo DeLuca  – Blair Academy New Jersey  120 lbs.

Sat Jan 20 – at St. Ed’s Duals (Cleveland, OH) – Canceled

 

Leister Bowling – Mead, Colorado  175 lbs.

Fri Jan 19 – at Chadron Duals (Chadron, NE)

Leister Bowling (Mead) over Clayton Elliott (Valentine) Fall 2:00

Leister Bowling (Mead) over Frankie Trevino (Scottsbluff) Dec 5-3

Leister Bowling (Mead) over Tyler Palermo (Natrona County) Fall 2:33

Leister Bowling (Mead) over Thomas Reeves (Chase County) Maj 17-6

 

Sat Jan 20 – at Chadron Invitational (Chadron, NE) 

Round 1 – Leister Bowling (Mead) won by fall over Caleb Heck (Gordon-Rushville) (Fall 3:03)

Quarterfinal – Leister Bowling (Mead) won by fall over Jerrick Thompson (Lakota Tech) (Fall 3:00)

Semifinal – Leister Bowling (Mead) won by major decision over Kolby Houchin (Bayard) (MD 16-4)

1st Place Match – Leister Bowling (Mead) won by decision over Frankie Trevino (Scottsbluff) (Dec 1-0)

 

Women’s Recruiting Class of 2024

Val Solorio – Canon-McMillan HS, Pennsylvania  100 lbs.

No competition scheduled.

 

Karlee Brooks – Valiant College Prep HS (Phoenix, AZ)  120 lbs.

No competition scheduled.

 

Cadence Diduch – Freeport, Illinois  135 lbs.

No competition scheduled.

 

Kiara Djoumessi – Waverly-Shell Rock, Iowa  140 lbs.

Sat Jan 20 – at Mason City Girls Invitational

Champ. Round 1 – Kiara Djoumessi (Waverly-Shell Rock) received a bye () (Bye)

Champ. Round 2 – Kiara Djoumessi (Waverly-Shell Rock) won by fall over Abby Beauford (Dallas Center-Grimes) (Fall 0:30)

Quarterfinal – Kiara Djoumessi (Waverly-Shell Rock) won by fall over JayLynn Vazquez (Emmetsburg) (Fall 1:01)

Semifinal – Kiara Djoumessi (Waverly-Shell Rock) won by fall over Kylie Blunt (Charles City) (Fall 0:44)

1st Place Match – Kiara Djoumessi (Waverly-Shell Rock) won by fall over Amelia Wadsworth (Decorah) (Fall 3:05)

 

Naomi Simon – Decorah, Iowa 170 lbs.

Sat Jan 20 – at Mason City Girls Invitational

Quarterfinal – Naomi Simon (Decorah) won by fall over Addison Schenker (Osage) (Fall 1:15)

Semifinal – Naomi Simon (Decorah) won by fall over Matilda Miller (Sumner-Fredericksburg) (Fall 1:53)

1st Place Match – Naomi Simon (Decorah) won by fall over Kayma Burleson (Clear Lake) (Fall 1:09)

 

It is great to be an Iowa Wrestling fan.

Go Hawks!