Spencer Lee and David Taylor were named co-winners of 2024 John Smith Award winner as USA Wrestling’s Men’s Freestyle Wrestlers of the Year.

The award is named in honor of two-time Olympic champion and four-time World champion John Smith.

Lee joins a list of past Iowa legends to have won the John Smith Award that began in 1992: Terry and Tom Brands(1993), Joe Williams(2001 & 2002), and Bill Zadick(2006).

Lee capped off a great year in 2024 by winning the silver medal at the 2024 Olympics in Paris as the only American in the Olympic finals.

 

 

From USA Wrestling:

Lee finished off a tremendous season by winning a silver medal at 57 kg at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France in August. He powered to three straight wins to reach the finals, beating Wanhao Zou of China in the preliminaries, 3-2, then claiming two straight technical fall victories over Bekzat Almaz Uulu of Kyrgyzstan in the quarterfinals and Gulomjon Abdullaev of Uzbekistan in the semifinals. In the finals, he was edged by 2018 World champion Rei Higuchi of Japan, 4-2

He qualified for the U.S. Olympic Team with a victory at the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Trials at Penn State in April. Lee advanced to the finals with victories over Nico Megaludis, 8-0 and Zane Richards, 5-3. 

In the Championship Series, he swept 2021 World champion and 2020 Olympic bronze medalist Thomas Gilman in two straight matches, winning the first match 6-3, then scoring a fall in 5:58 in the second match.

Lee qualified himself and the United States for the Paris Games at the World Olympic Qualifier in Istanbul, Turkey in May. He won four straight matches, including three by technical fall, to earn the berth. His 10-0 technical fall victory over Rakhat Kalzhan of Kazakhstan in the Olympic Games qualifying match punched his ticket to Paris.

He also won a 2024 Senior Pan American Championships gold medal in February, winning all three matches by technical fall, including a 12-2 victory over Pedro Mejias Rodriguez in the finals.

Lee was a three-time NCAA Div. I champion for Iowa (2018, 2019, 2021) and a five-time All-American. He won two Dan Hodge Trophies as the nation’s best college wrestler while competing for the Hawkeyes. 

He was dominant as an age-group wrestler, winning three career World titles, a U17 World gold in 2014, and U20 World golds in 2015 and 2016. A native of Murrysville, Pa., Lee was a three-time Pennsylvania state champion for Franklin Regional High School.

 

 

Congratulations to Spencer Lee for being named for the prestigious honor.

By winning the silver medal at the 2024 Olympics Lee has already qualified for the Best 2 of 3 Bouts at Final X in Newark, New Jersey on June 14.

The winner of Final X will represent Team USA at the 2025 World Freestyle Championships in Zagreb, Croatia on September 15-18.

 

Past John Smith Award Winners as Freestyle Wrestler of the Year

1993 – Terry and Tom Brands, Iowa City, Iowa,

2001 – Joe Williams, Iowa City, Iowa, 

2002 – Joe Williams, Iowa City, Iowa

2006 – Bill Zadick, Colorado Springs, Colo.

2024 – Spencer Lee, Iowa City Iowa

 

It is great to be an Iowa Wrestling fan.

Go Hawks!

The Iowa Women’s Wrestling program announced that Harlee Hiller of Evanston(Loyola Academy), Illinois signed to become a Hawkeye.

Hiller is ranked #8 at 115 lbs. and #4 for seniors in the April 3 National High School Girls Rankings. She is projected to compete at 117 lbs. at Iowa.

Hiller is the fifth recruit to sign for the Iowa Women’s Wrestling Recruiting Class of 2025.

She was a two-time state champion and four-time place winner in high school.

 

 

Last weekend Hiller won the title at 115 lbs. at the Girls High School National Recruiting Showcase at the US Open in Las Vegas. She was 4-0 with four pins. 

At the U20 World Team Trials in April Hiller placed fourth at 53 kg/116 lbs. In the Consolation Semifinals Hiller pinned incoming Iowa recruit Isabella Marie Gonzales who is also in the Recruiting Class of 2025. Gonzales is ranked #1 at 120 lbs. and #3 P4P in the country.

In 2023 Hiller won gold at 49 kg/108 lbs. at the U17 Pan Ams in Mexico.

 

 

Iowa Women’s Wrestling Recruiting Class of 2025

Isabella Marie Gonzales – Fresno(Clovis East HS), California  120 lbs. Ranked #1 and #3 P4P

Samantha Sachs – Glendora, California  130 lbs.  Ranked #3

Bella Williams – Edmond(Edmond North HS) Oklahoma  130  Ranked #2 and #8 P4P

Adriana Palumbo, Pleasantville, New York  155 lbs.  Ranked #5

Harlee Hiller – Evanston(Loyola Academy), Illinois  115 lbs. Ranked #8

 

It is great to be an Iowa Wrestling fan.

Go Hawks!

Every year heading into the NCAA National Wrestling Championships, throughout the tournament and during the Finals you will hear about the consecutive NCAA National Tournament streak for Finalist by Iowa Wrestling.

In the recent 2025 Nationals Iowa Wrestling extended that impressive streak of having an NCAA Finalist in 35 straight National Tournaments with Stephan Buchanan (1st,197), Drake Ayala (133,2nd), and Michael Calienedo (2nd,165).

I believe this is one of the most impressive streaks in all of sports.

Another note to mention, Iowa Wrestling has had an NCAA Finalist in 49 of the last 50 NCAA National Tournaments.

Let’s take a closer look.

Iowa’s first finalist was at the very first NCAA Wrestling Championships with National champion Leslie Beers(158) in 1928.

From 1928-1974 Iowa had 23 NCAA Finalists.

In head coach Gary Kurdelmeier’s first year in 1973 Iowa had three All Americans including National champion Dan Sherman(118). In 1974 the Hawks had three All Americans and no finalists.

For this blog I decided to go back to 1975 when Iowa had four finalists in National champions Chuck Yagla(150) and Dan Holm(158) and runner-ups Chris Campbell(177) and Greg Stevens (190).

1975 was the third year of the Gary Kurdelmeier era and the first national championship team in Iowa Wrestling history with a school record five All Americans.

 

 

In September of 2001 I interviewed Tom Brands for my book Domination: An inside look at Iowa Wrestling

The interview was in the room just off the corner wall of the Iowa Wrestling mats that was basically a small storage room with a desk.

Even though I had been around Tom since he arrived in August of 1987 I had only spoken to him briefly a few times.

In the middle of getting quotes I asked if there were any memories from his Iowa career that stood out.

Tom placed fourth at 126 lbs. at the 1989 NCAA Championships in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Iowa placed sixth in the team race 38.75 points behind first place Oklahoma State and this was the first year Iowa did not have an NCAA Finalist since 1974 when Gable was an Assistant Coach for Kurdelmeier. The lowest team placing(6th), number of All Americans(4) and point total(52) in the Gable era.

Tom was pretty pumped up about being an All American as a freshman. After receiving his All American award on the podium he was walking back to his seat when he heard someone say: “Brands!”

He looked up in the bleachers at the Myriad Convention Center and it was his head coach Dan Gable who was not happy. In an intense tone he said:

“Brands, I am never sitting here during the Finals again.”

That was Saturday, March 18, 1989. The last time Iowa did not have a Finalist at the NCAA National Wrestling Championships.

The following year in 1990 Iowa had Terry Brands (1st,126), Tom Brands (1st,134) and Brooks Simpson (2nd,190) to begin the finalist streak that is still going.

Through the end of the Gable era to Jimmy Zalesky to Tom Brands as the head coach Iowa has had an NCAA Finalist every single tournament from 1990-2025 and counting.

I find that to be nothing short of amazing but I will let you as the reader judge for yourself.

Tom Brands has been involved in 33 of 35 years in the NCAA Finalists streak as a wrestler, Assistant Coach or Head Coach.

I want to mention 2020 when Nationals were cancelled due to Covid. 

Iowa was the top ranked team in the country in 2020 and had the following NCAA seeds: Spencer Lee (125,#1 seed), Pat Lugo (149,#1 seed), Alex Marinelli (165,#1 seed) and Michael Kemerer (174,#2 seed).

Iowa had three NCAA Finalists this season in 2025: Stephan Buchanan (1st,197), Drake Ayala (133,2nd) and Michael Caliendo (2nd,165).

With who the Hawks have on their current roster and incoming recruits I believe the NCAA Finalists streak for Iowa Wrestling will continue for quite some time.

NCAA Finalist streak – 35 and 49 of 50…and counting.

Who’s next?

Let’s get ‘em in the middle.

Go Hawks!

 

 

Iowa Wrestling NCAA Finalist 1975-2025 and coach

1975 – Chuck Yagla(1st,150), Dan Holm(1st,158), Chris Campbell(2nd,177), Greg Stevens (2nd, 190) – Kurdelmeier

1976 – Brad Smith (1st,142), Chuck Yagla(1st,150), Chris Campbell(1st,177), Dan Wagemann (2nd, 167) – Kurdelmeier

1977 – Chris Campbell(1st,177), Keith Mourlam (2nd,126) – Gable

1978 – Randy Lewis (2nd,126), Bruce Kinseth (2nd,150) – Gable

1979 – Randy Lewis (1st, 126), Bruce Kinseth (1st,150),Scott Trizzino (2nd,142), Mike DeAnna (2nd,167), Bud Palmer (2nd,177) – Gable

1980 – Randy Lewis (1st,134),  Ed Banach (1st,177), Dan Glenn (2nd,118) – Gable

1981 – Ed Banach (1st,177), Lou Banach (1st, Hwt), Lennie Zalesky (2nd,142), Scott Trizzino (2nd, 150), Mike DeAnna (2nd,167) – Gable

1982 – Barry Davis (1st,118), Jim Zalesky (1st,158), Pete Bush (1st,190), Lennie Zalesky (2nd,142), Ed Banach (2nd, 177) – Gable

1983 – Barry Davis (1st,126), Jim Zalesky (1st,158), Ed Banach (1st,190), Lou Banach (1st,Hwt), Duane Goldman (2nd,177) – Gable

1984 – Jim Zalesky (1st,158), Greg Randall (2nd,134), Marty Kistler (2nd,150), Lindley Kistler (2nd,167), Duane Goldman (2nd,177) – Gable

1985 – Barry Davis (1st,126), Marty Kistler (1st,158), Matt Egeland (2nd,118), Jim Heffernan (2nd,150), Duane Goldman (2nd,190) – Gable

1986 – Brad Penrith (1st,126), Kevin Dresser (1st,142), Jim Heffernan (1st,150), Marty Kistler (1st,167), Duane Goldman (1st,190), Greg Randall (2nd,134) – Gable

1987 – Royce Alger (1st,167), Rico Chiapparelli (1st,177), Brad Penrith (2nd,126), Jim Heffernan (2nd,150) – Gable

1988 – Royce Alger (1st,177), Brad Penrith (2nd,126), Joe Melchiore (2nd,134) – Gable

1989 – No finalist.

1990 – Terry Brands (1st,126), Tom Brands (1st,134), Brooks Simpson (2nd,190) – Gable

1991 – Tom Brands (1st, 134), Mark Reiland (1st, 167), Chad Zaputil (2nd, 118), Terry Brands (2nd, 126), Troy Steiner (2nd, 142), Tom Ryan (2nd, 158) – Gable

1992 – Terry Brands (1st, 126), Tom Brands (1st, 134), Troy Steiner (1st, 142), Chad Zaputil (2nd, 118) – Gable

1993 – Lincoln McIlravy (1st,142), Terry Steiner (1st,150, Chad Zaputil (2nd,118), Joel Sharratt (2nd,190) – Gable

1994 – Lincoln McIlravy (1st,150), Joel Sharratt (1st,190) – Gable

1995 – Jeff McGinness (1st,126), Lincoln McIlravy (2nd,150), Joel Sharratt (2nd,190) – Gable

1996 – Bill Zadick (1st,142), Joe Williams (1st,158), Daryl Weber (1st,167) – Gable

1997 – Jessie Whitmer (1st,118), Mark Ironside (1st,134), Lincoln McIlravy (1st,150), Joe Williams (1st,158), Lee Fullhart (1st,190), Mike Mena (2nd,126) – Gable

1998 – Mark Ironside (1st,134), Jeff McGinness (1st,142), Joe Williams (1st,158) – Zalesky

1999 – Doug Schwab (1st,141), T.J. Williams (1st,149), Lee Fullhart (2nd,197) – Zalesky

2000 – Eric Juergens (1st,133), Wes Hand (2nd, Hwt.)  – Zalesky

2001 – Eric Juergens (1st,133), T.J. Williams (1st,157), Jody Strittmatter (2nd,125), Doug Schwab (2nd,141)  – Zalesky

2002 – Luke Eustice (2nd,125), Steve Mocco (2nd,Hwt.)  – Zalesky

2003 – Steve Mocco (1st,Hwt.)  – Zalesky

2004 – Cliff Moore (1st,141), Ryan Fulsaas (2nd,197)  – Zalesky

2005 – Joe Johnston (2nd,157), Mark Perry (2nd,165)  – Zalesky

2006 – Ty Eustice (2nd,149) – Zalesky

2007 – Mark Perry (1st,165) – Brands

2008 – Brent Metcalf (1st,149), Mark Perry (1st,165), Joe Slaton (133, 2nd) – Brands

2009 – Brent Metcalf (149, 2nd) – Brands

2010 – Matt McDonough (125, 1st), Brent Metcalf (149, 1st), Jay Borschel (174, 1st), Daniel Dennis (133, 2nd), Montell Marion (141, 2nd) – Brands

2011 – Matt McDonough (125, 2nd) – Brands

2012 – Matt McDonough (125, 1st), Montell Marion (141, 2nd), Derek St. John (157, 2nd) – Brands

2013 – Derek St. John (157, 1st), ) Tony Ramos (133, 2nd) – Brands

2014 – Tony Ramos (133, 1st) – Brands

2015 – Cory Clark (133, 2nd) – Brands

2016 – Thomas Gilman (125,2nd), Cory Clark (133,2nd), Brandon Sorensen (149,2nd) – Brands

2017 – Cory Clark (133,1st) – Brands

2018 – Spencer Lee (125,1st) – Brands

2019 – Spencer Lee (125,1st) – Brands

*2020 – Cancelled due to Covid. NCAA seeds: Spencer Lee (125,#1 seed), Pat Lugo (149,#1 seed), Alex Marinelli (165,#1 seed), Michael Kemerer (174,#2 seed) – Brands

2021 – Spencer Lee (125,1st), Jaydin Eierman (141,2nd), Michael Kemerer (174,2nd) – Brands

2022 – Jacob Warner (197,2nd) – Brands

2023 – Real Woods (2nd,141) – Brands

2024 – Drake Ayala (125,2nd) – Brands

2025 – Stephan Buchanan (1st,197), Drake Ayala (133,2nd), Michael Calienedo (2nd,165) – Brands

 

It is great to be an Iowa Wrestling fan.

Go Hawks!

For the second straight year head coach Clarissa Chun of the University of Iowa has been named as the USA Women’s Wrestling Coach of the Year.

Chun was co-winner of the award with Sarah McMann.

Iowa repeated as NCWWC national champions in their second year of competition this season in dominating fashion as well as winning National Duals a second straight year.

Iowa has also been successful in International competition with Kyle Welker and Macey Kilty winning a bronze medal at the 2024 Senior World Freestyle Championships.

 

 

From USA Wrestling:

Chun is the head coach of the University of Iowa’s varsity women’s wrestling program. Iowa is the first NCAA Div. I Power Conference program to add women’s wrestling.

During the 2023-24 college season, in its first official year as a varsity, Iowa won the National Collegiate Women’s Wrestling Championships (NCWWC), which is the annual national championships for varsity teams in the NCAA. Iowa came from behind in the finals round to edge North Central College for the team title.  The Hawkeyes finished the dual meet season undefeated.

Chun was named NCWWC Coach of the Year in 2024. She was also presented with the 2024 Trailblazer Award from the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. Chun was named USA Today’s Iowa Woman of the Year, as well.

She is also coach of the Iowa Women’s WC, which competes in major national and international events on the USA Wrestling circuit. Two of her athletes were Senior World bronze medalists in Tirana, Albania in October, Macey Kilty at 65 kg and Kylie Welker at 72 kg. Kilty and Welker were also both medalists at the 2024 U23 World Championships in Tirana the week before, with Welker winning gold and Kilty claiming silver. 

At the U20 World Championships in Pontevedra, Spain in September, Iowa wrestler Naomi Simon won a bronze medal at 76 kg. Numerous athletes from the Iowa Women’s WC claimed All-American honors at USA Wrestling’s Senior and age-group national events.

Prior to Iowa, Chun served as an Assistant National Women’s Coach for USA Wrestling, helping coach the Women’s National Team from 2017-2021. As part of Terry Steiner’s National Women’s Coaching staff, Chun helped lead the USA to 17 Senior World medals and four Olympic medals.

As an athlete, Chun was one of the best women’s freestyle wrestlers in history and has been inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. She won a bronze medal at the 2012 Olympic Games in London, England, and also placed fifth at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China. She was a 2008 Senior World champion, and also competed on four other U.S. Senior World Teams.

Chun competed on the trailblazing Missouri Valley College women’s varsity team, one of the first women’s teams in college history. After college, she became a U.S. Olympic Training Center resident athlete. A native of Honolulu, Hawaii, she was the first state high school champion in women’s wrestling in Hawaii history, competing for Roosevelt High School.

 

 

Congratulations to Coach Chun for being named for this prestigious award a second straight year.

Kennedy Blades(68 kg), Kylie Welker(76 kg) and Macey Kilty(65 kg) will represent Team USA at the Senior Pan American Championships in Monterrey, Mexico on May 9-10.

Blades, Welker, Kilty and Brianna Gonzalez(53 kg) have qualified for the Best 2 of 3 Bouts at Final X in Newark, New Jersey on June 14.

The winner of Final X will represent Team USA at the 2025 World Freestyle Championships in Zagreb, Croatia on September 15-18.

 

It is great to be an Iowa Wrestling fan.

Go Hawks!

Kennedy Blades(68 kg), Kylie Welker(76 kg) and Macey Kilty(65 kg) will represent Team USA at the Senior Pan American Championships in Monterrey, Mexico.

Blades will compete on Friday, May 9th and Welker and Kilty on Saturday, May 10.

Welker was a Pan Am champion in 2023 and Kilty in 2024.

In March Blades, Welker and Kilty all won individual titles in leading Iowa to their second straight NCWWC national team title.

The 2025 Senior Pan American Championships is part of the UWW Ranking Series, which is used to determine seeds for the Olympic Games and the Senior World Championships.

Former Iowa national champions Terry Steiner and Bill Zadick will be the head coaches for Team USA at Pan Ams. National Women’s Coach Steiner will be the head coach for the women’s squad and National Freestyle Coach Bill Zadick will be the head coach for the men’s team.

FloWrestling will have full coverage on their premium service.

 

 

Blades and Welker won U.S. Open titles last weekend in dominating style.

Blades won the title at 68 kg by going 3-0 with three tech falls and outscored her opponents 33-0. Blades was named for the Most Exciting Wrestler Award.

Welker was 4-0 with four tech falls and outscored her opponents 41-0 at 76 kg and was named as Outstanding Wrestler of the U.S. Open.

Blades, Welker, Kilty and 2025 U.S. Open champion Brianna Gonzalez(53 kg) have qualified for the best 2 of 3 bouts at Final X in Newark, New Jersey on June 14.

The winner of Final X will represent Team USA at the 2025 World Freestyle Championships in Zagreb, Croatia on September 15-18.

 

 

2025 Senior Pan American Championships

Monterray, Mexico

Friday, May 9

Women’s Freestyle 50 kg -55 kg -57 kg -62 kg –68 kg -72 kg)

11 AM – Preliminaries

2:PM. – Semifinals

3 PM – Repechage

6 PM – Medal Match finals

 

Saturday, May 10

Women’s Freestyle 53 kg -59 kg – 65 kg –76 kg

11 AM – Preliminaries

2:PM. – Semifinals

3 PM – Repechage

6 PM – Medal Match finals

***Times listed are CST

 

It is great to be an Iowa Wrestling fan.

Go Hawks!

Incoming recruit Isabella Marie Gonzales has been named as the 2025 Tricia Saunders High School Excellence Award for the West Region.

Gonzales qualified for the West Region after being named as the winner of the California TSHSEA on April 16.

The West Region was Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.

Gonzales is a senior at Clovis East in Fresno, California where she is an incoming member of the Iowa Women’s Wrestling Recruiting Class of 2025.

In the final National Girls High School Rankings Gonzales was #3 overall in the P4P rankings and #1 at 120 lbs.

 

 

From TheMat.com:

West Region: Isabella Marie Gonzales of Fresno, California was a three-time California girls state champion and a four-time state finalist for Clovis East High School. She teamed with her sister, Sophia Marie, and Jaelyn Unpingco to win the girls team title at the California state championships in 2025. The trio combined for 13 falls, one technical fall and one major decision. 

The daughter of Geoffrey and Jennifer Gonzales, she will continue her career at the University of Iowa. Gonzales is ranked No. 1 at 120 pounds and No. 3 in pound-for-pound in the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, USA Wrestling and FloWrestling National Girls High School Rankings. Gonzales competed for the United States and finished fifth in the 2024 United World Wrestling U17 World Championships in Amman, Jordan, and won a gold medal in the 2023 U17 Pan American Games in Mexico City, Mexico.

She also won gold medals at the U15 Pan American Games in 2022 and 2021. Named Outstanding Wrestler at the 2023 California state tournament, Gonzales was a four-time California Interscholastic Federation Central Section Masters champion, twice being named Outstanding Wrestler, and a four-time CIF Central Section Area champion, being named Outstanding Wrestler all four years. She is a three-time USA Wrestling freestyle national champion and a two-time folkstyle national champion. Gonzales is a five-time California freestyle state champion, a four-time California Greco-Roman state champion, and a three-time California folkstyle state champion.

A member of the National Honor Society, she was four-time member of the high honor roll and a three-time member of the principal’s honor roll. Gonzales is a Big Brothers and Sisters of Central California Ambassador and also volunteers as a mentor and coach at FEARLESS, a nonprofit free of charge youth wrestling club.

 

 

TSHSEA winners are evaluated and selected on the basis of three criteria: success and standout performances and sportsmanship in wrestling; review of GPA and class rank, academic honors and distinctions; and participation in activities that demonstrate commitment to character and community.

The award is named for four-time World champion Tricia Saunders who was the first woman from the United States to win a World title and to be inducted as a Distinguished Member into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. She was also inducted into the United World Wrestling Hall of Fame.

It is great to be an Iowa Wrestling fan.

Go Hawks!

The annual Hawkeye Wrestling Club Banquet will be on Saturday, May 3. The banquet will begin at 5:30 PM at The Hotel at Kirkwood Center at 7725 Kirkwood Blvd SW in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

A live and silent auction provides an opportunity to support the HWC.

You can bid on over 100 great and unique items that are now available online for the HWC auction:

https://live.classy.org/auction/hwc-2025-banquet/c9013915-c6c3-49d7-936d-88ba680e8b63

 

 

The HWC Banquet will have a buffet style dinner and a great crowd of Iowa Wrestling fans. 

Current members of the HWC, coaches, and alumni of legendary Hawkeye will be speaking including Tom Brands, Terry Brands and Daniel Dennis. There will also be a highlight video of the 2025 season and the presentation of the Rob McReynolds Passion Award.

 

 

To register for the  2025 HWC Annual Banquet:

https://boom.hawkeyewrestlingclub.com/event/2025-annual-banquet/e653340/register/new/select-tickets

 

It is great to be an Iowa Wrestling fan.

Go Hawks!

We had former, current and future Hawkeyes competing in seven tournaments at the U.S. Open in Las Vegas from Wednesday-Sunday.

The Iowa Women’s Wrestling program had a great showing at the U.S. Open.

Three Hawks won titles: Brianna Gonzalez(53 kg), Kennedy Blades(68 kg) and Kylie Welker(76 kg).

Welker was named as Outstanding Wrestler of the U.S. Open for her great performance in winning the title at 76 kg. She was 4-0 with four tech falls and outscored her opponents 41-0.

It was a clash of reigning U23 World champions in the finals as Welker defeated longtime foe Yelena Makoyed by an 11-0 tech fall in 2:56.

Blades dominated the field at her new weight of 68 kg. Last summer Blades won silver at the Paris Olympics at 76 kg.

For the tournament Blades was 3-0 with three tech falls and outscored her opponents 33-0. Blades was named for the Most Exciting Wrestler Award.

Brianna Gonzalez defeated former teammate and #1 seed Felicity Taylor 6-5 after being behind 4-0 for the title at 53 kg.

Gonzalez may have been the surprise of the tournament by winning the title at 53 kg while not being seeded in the top eight.

Gonzalez, Blades, and Welker will join Macey Kilty as qualified for the best 2 of 3 bouts at Final X in Newark, New Jersey on June 14. The winner will represent Team USA at the 2025 World Freestyle Championships in Zagreb, Croatiao on September 15-18.

Marylynne Deede placed 4th at 76 kg. Emily Frost was 6th at 59 kg and Ava Bayless was 7th at 50 kg. Deede and Bayless qualified for the Senior World Team Trials Challenge Tournament May 16-17 in Louisville, Kentucky.

 

In the Men’s U.S. Open Austin DeSanto was fifth at 61 kg and Real Woods was fourth at 65 kg. Incoming Iowa transfer Massoma Endene placed seventh at 97 kg.

DeSanto, Woods and Endene have now qualified for the World Team Challenge Tournament in Louisville, Kentucky on May 16-17.

Spencer Lee has already qualified at 57 kg for Final X in Newark, New Jersey on June 14.

 

Incoming recruits at U20 U.S. Open

Incoming Iowa Wrestling recruit Leister Bowling dominated the field to win the 77 kg/169 lbs. title at the U20 Greco-Roman U.S. Open.

Bowling was 4-0 with four tech falls and outscored his opponents 35-2. 

Bowling has now qualified for the Best 2 out of 3 finals at the U20 Greco-Roman World Team Trials in Geneva, Ohio on May 30.

In the Freestyle U20 U.S. Open Bo Bassett placed third at 65 kg and Michael Mocco was fifth at 125 kg. 

Bassett and Mocco qualified for the U20 Freestyle World Team Trials in Geneva, Ohio on May 31.

 

Masters

Jeff McGinness placed third at Masters Nationals in Las Vegas at 78 kg/171 lbs. in the Class C Masters Division for ages 43-50.

After a quarterfinal win by tech fall McGinness dropped his semifinals match 6-0 to Rudy James, a World champ that has won six World masters medals and is a 10-time masters national champion. McGinness then received a medical forfeit in the consolation semifinals before winning by a tech fall to place third.

This was an impressive performance for McGinness who has not competed in over 20 years. I hope to see him compete next year at Masters Nationals.

Patrick Rhoades placed second at 88 kg in the A Master Division for ages 25-34. Rhoades was an NCAA Qualifier for Iowa at 165 in 2016.

 

 

Women’s U.S. Open in Las Vegas

50 kg

Ava Bayless (Iowa Women’s WC/Titan Mercury WC) – 7th

Emilie Gonzalez (Iowa Women’s WC/Titan Mercury WC) – DNP

53 kg

Brianna Gonzalez  1st

Felicity Taylor (Titan Mercury WC)  2nd

Isabella Marie Gonzales (Titan Mercury WC) *  DNP

57 kg – Bella Williams (USOPTC) *  DNP

59 kg – Emily Frost (Iowa Women’s WC/Curby 3-Style WC)  6th

62 kg – Nanea Estrella (Iowa Women’s WC/Titan Mercury WC) DNP 

68 kg – Kennedy Blades (Iowa Women’s WC/Titan Mercury WC)  1st 

76 kg

Kylie Welker (Iowa Women’s WC/Titan Mercury WC) – 1st

Marylynne Deede(LWC) – 4th

* – Incoming recruit from the Class of 2025

 

Men’s U.S. Open

61 kg – Austin DeSanto (Hawkeye WC/Titan Mercury WC)  5th

65 kg – Real Woods (Cliff Keen WC)  4th

97 kg – Massoma Endene (Burg Training Center)  7th

 

U20 U.S. Open

57 kg – Dru Ayala  DNP

57 kg – Anthony Lavezzola  DNP

70 kg – Koye Grebel  DNP

74 kg – Joey Kennedy  DNP

92 kg – Brody Sampson  DNP

 

U20 U.S. Open for incoming recruits

Freestyle

65 kg – Bo Bassett  3rd

86 kg – Tyrel Miller  DNP

125 kg – Michael Mocco  5th

 

Greco-Roman

77 kg – Leister Bowling  1st

 

Masters Nationals

Class C for ages 43-50

78 kg – Jeff McGinness  3rd

 

Class A for ages 25-34

88 kg – Patrick Rhoades  2nd

 

 

Senior World Team Trials Challenge Tournament

May 16-17

Louisville, Kentucky

 

U20 Greco-Roman and Freestyle World Team Trials

May 30-31

Geneva, Ohio

 

Final X – 2025 Senior World Team Trials Finals

June 14

Newark, New Jersey

 

2025 U20 World Championships

Sophia, Bulgaria on August 18-24

 

2025 World Freestyle Championships

September 15-18

Zagreb, Croatia

 

It is great to be an Iowa Wrestling fan.

Go Hawks!

The Iowa Women’s Wrestling program had a great showing at the U.S. Open in Las Vegas.

Three former Hawks won titles: Brianna Gonzalez(53 kg), Kennedy Blades(68 kg) and Kylie Welker(76 kg).

Welker was named as Outstanding Wrestler of the U.S. Open for her great performance in winning the title at 76 kg. She was 4-0 with four tech falls and outscored her opponents 41-0.

It was a clash of reigning U23 World champions in the finals as Welker defeated longtime foe Yelena Makoyed by an 11-0 tech fall in 2:56.

Blades dominated the field at her new weight of 68 kg. Last summer Blades won silver at the Paris Olympics at 76 kg.

For the tournament Blades was 3-0 with three tech falls and outscored her opponents 33-0. Blades was named for the Most Exciting Wrestler Award.

Brianna Gonzalez defeated former teammate and #1 seed Felicity Taylor 6-5 after being behind 4-0 for the title at 53 kg.

Gonzalez may have been the surprise of the tournament by winning the title at 53 kg while not being seeded in the top eight.

Gonzalez, Blades and Welker have now qualified for the Best 2 of 3 bouts at Final X in Newark, New Jersey on June 14. Macey Kilty has already qualified for Final X at 65 kg. The winner will represent Team USA at the 2025 World Freestyle Championships in Zagreb, Croatia on September 15-18.

Marylynne Deede placed 4th at 76 kg, Emily Frost was 6th at 59 kg and Ava Bayless was 7th at 50 kg. They all qualified for the Senior World Team Trials Challenge Tournament May 16-17 in Louisville, Kentucky.

The winner of the Challenge Tournament at each weight will qualify for Final X.

What a great performance by the Iowa at the U.S. Open.

 

 

2025 Women’s U.S. Open in Las Vegas

50 kg

Ava Bayless (Iowa Women’s WC/Titan Mercury WC) – 7th

Emilie Gonzalez (Iowa Women’s WC/Titan Mercury WC) – DNP

 

53 kg

Brianna Gonzalez – 1st

Felicity Taylor (Titan Mercury WC) – 2nd

Isabella Marie Gonzales (Titan Mercury WC) * –  DNP

 

57 kg – Bella Williams (USOPTC) * –  DNP

 

59 kg – Emily Frost (Iowa Women’s WC/Curby 3-Style WC) – 6th

 

62 kg – Nanea Estrella (Iowa Women’s WC/Titan Mercury WC) – DNP

 

68 kg – Kennedy Blades (Iowa Women’s WC/Titan Mercury WC) – 1st

 

76 kg

Kylie Welker (Iowa Women’s WC/Titan Mercury WC) – 1st

Marylynne Deede(LWC) – 4th

* – Incoming recruit from the Class of 2025

 

 

2025 Senior World Team Trials Challenge Tournament

May 16-17

Louisville, Kentucky

 

2025 Final X

June 14

Newark, New Jersey

 

2025 World Freestyle Championships

September 15-18

Zagreb, Croatia

 

It is great to be an Iowa Wrestling fan.

Go Hawks!

The annual Hawkeye Wrestling Club Banquet will be on Saturday, May 3. The banquet will begin at 5:30 PM at The Hotel at Kirkwood Center at 7725 Kirkwood Blvd SW in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

The annual banquet is always a good time and an important fundraiser for the HWC.

 

 

There will be a buffet style dinner and a great crowd of Iowa Wrestling fans. 

Current members of the HWC, coaches, and alumni of legendary Hawkeye will be speaking including Tom Brands, Terry Brands and Daniel Dennis. There will also be a highlight video of the 2025 season and the presentation of the Rob McReynolds Passion Award.

 

 

A live and silent auction provides an opportunity to support the HWC.

You can bid on over 100 great and unique items that are now available online for the HWC auction:

https://live.classy.org/auction/hwc-2025-banquet/c9013915-c6c3-49d7-936d-88ba680e8b63

 

To register for the  2025 HWC Annual Banquet:

https://boom.hawkeyewrestlingclub.com/event/2025-annual-banquet/e653340/register/new/select-tickets

 

It is great to be an Iowa Wrestling fan.

Go Hawks!