Austin DeSanto won bronze and Otto Black silver at the Haparanda Cup in Haparanda, Sweden. Both competed at 63kg/138 lbs.

DeSanto dropped his first round match followed by winning two matches by tech fall for the bronze medal.

Black made the finals with a decision and two tech falls before dropping a 5-2 decision to  William Eckroth of Sweden in the finals. DeSanto also dropped his match to Eckroth. 

DeSanto and Black are being coached by Joe Warren, a 2006 Greco-Roman world champion and former MMA champion.

On Saturday, December 7 DeSanto and Black will compete at the Arvo Haavisto Cup in Ilmajoki, FInland.

DeSanto was a four-time All American for Iowa. He recently began training in Greco-Roman and this was his first international Greco-Roman competition.

Black captured silver at 63kg/138 lbs. at the 2024 U20 Greco-Roman World Championships in Pontevedra, Spain and also won Gold at 63kg/138 lbs. at the U20 Pan American Championships in Lima, Peru. 

Black, from Park, Colorado, won a 138 lbs. 4A Colorado state title last season with a 52-0 record. He was a Junior Greco-Roman national champion at 126 in 2022 and 132 in 2023.

Black is a member of the Iowa Wrestling Recruiting Class of 2024 and is expected to join the team in January for the second semester.

Haparanda Cup

Haparanda, Sweden, November 30

63 kg – Austin DeSanto, Iowa City, Iowa (Hawkeye WC), bronze medal

LOSS William Eckroth (Sweden), 6-2

WIN Algot Garnelius (Sweden), tech fall 11-3

WIN Ruslan Stamat (Sweden), tech fall 10-2

63 kg – Otto Black, Parker, Colo. (Colorado Top Team), silver medal

WIN Arsenil Paschenko (Ukraine), 7-2

WIN Ruslan Stamat (Sweden), tech fall 8-0

WIN Jonatan Jedell (Sweden), tech fall 8-0

LOSS William Eckroth (Sweden), 5-2

It is great to be an Iowa Wrestling fan.

Go Hawks!

The NWCA (National Wrestling Coaches Association) updated the NCAA Women’s Coaches Poll. Iowa remained #1 in the tournament rankings. 

There was a change right after Iowa at #1 who went down one point to 120. North Central went from #3 to #2 and King went from #3 to #2. North Central made a big jump from 88 points from the rankings two weeks ago to 101 points. King went from 97 to 85 points.

The Hawks now has five wrestlers ranked #1: Rianne Murphy(103), Brianna Gonzalez(117), Reese Larramendy(145), Kylie Welker(180), and Jaycee Foeller(207).  

Ava Bayless(110) dropped from #1 to #2.

Also ranked for Iowa: Sterling Dias(#2-103), Emilie Gonzalez(#5-110), Skye Realin(#6-131), Emily Frost (#9-131), Nanea Estrella(#3-138), Ella Schmit(#7-145), Kennedy Blades (#2-160), Naomi Simon(#8-180) and Katja Osteen (#5-207).

Lily Luft(138) and Rose Cassioppi(160) dropped out of the rankings. Iowa has not had a wrestler ranked at 124 this season.

The next competition for the Iowa Women’s team will be at the Jewel Dual Tournament in Liberty, Missouri on Saturday, December 7. Iowa is then scheduled to compete at the NCC Open in Naperville, Illinois on Sunday, December 15.

Iowa will compete at home in Carver-Hawkeye Arena one more time this season with Iowa Duals II on Saturday, January 18. The Hawks will face Augustana and Grand View State starting at 6 PM.

From HawkeyeSports.com:

Single dual ticket sales are now available. Please call 1-800-IAHAWKS and select option 2 to be connected to a ticket sales representative or visit https://hawkeyesports.com/tickets/ to learn more.

November 29 NWCA Rankings

Tournament Rankings

1. Iowa – 120
2. North Central – 101
3. King – 85

103 – Rianne Murphy #1

103 – Sterling Dias #2

110 – Ava Bayless #1

110 – Emilie Gonzalez #5

117 – Brianna Gonzalez #1

124 – Not ranked

131 – Skye Realin #7

131 – Emily Frost #9 

138 – Nanea Estrella #3

145 – Reese Larramendy #1

145 – Ella Schmitt #5

160 – Kennedy Blades #2

180 – Kylie Welker #1

180 – Naomi Simon #8

207 – Jaycee Foeller #1

207 – Katja Osteen #5

It is great to be an Iowa Wrestling fan.

Go Hawks!

We have a rare break in the action as Iowa Wrestling fans. The Men’s and Women’s team have the Thanksgiving weekend off.

In year’s past Iowa would start the dual meet season the day after Thanksgiving. Now the season starts earlier than ever. The Hawks started the season with a dual at Oregon State on November 2. 

Iowa will be in action next at the Journeymen Wrestling Uncivil War in St. Charles, Missouri on Friday, December 6 against Princeton (6 PM) and Army (8 PM).

Iowa will compete next at Soldier Salute on December 29-30.

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.

November 26 InterMat Rankings 

Iowa is ranked #2 in the Tournament and Dual Meet rankings.

125 – Kale Petersen #32

133 – Drake Ayala #6

141 – Ryder Block #31

149 – Kyle Parco #4

157 – Jacori Teemer #1

165 – Michael Caliendo #2

174 – Nelson Brands #9

184 – Gabe Arnold #7

197 – Stephen Buchanan #2

Hwt – Ben Kueter #13

The next competition for the Iowa Women’s team will be at the Jewel Dual Tournament in Liberty, Missouri on Saturday, December 7. Iowa is then scheduled to compete at the NCC Open in Naperville, Illinois on Sunday, December 15.

The Hawks will be at Soldiers Salute on December 29-30. After the first of the year Iowa will be at NWCA Duals in Cedar Falls, Iowa on January 10-11.

Iowa will compete at home one more time this season with Iowa Duals II on Saturday, January 18. The Hawks will face Augustana and Grand View State starting at 6 PM.

November 15 NWCA Rankings

Iowa is ranked #1

103 – Rianne Murphy #1

103 – Sterling Dias #2

110 – Ava Bayless #1

110 – Emillie Gonzalez #5

117 – Brianna Gonzalez #1

124 – Not ranked

131 – Skye Realin #7

131 – Emily Frost #8 

138 – Nanea Estrella #4

138 – Lilly Luft #6

145 – Reese Larramendy #1

145 – Ella Schmitt #5

160 – Kennedy Blades #2

160 – Rose Cassioppi #9

180 – Kylie Welker #1

180 – Naomi Simon #8

207 – Jaycee Foeller #1

207 – Katja Osteen #7

It is great to be an Iowa Wrestling fan.

Go Hawks!

InterMat released new rankings this morning. The Hawks remained #2 in both the tournament and dual rankings.

In the Tournament Rankings Minnesota has replaced Oklahoma State at fourth place. Both Minnesota and Oklahoma State are listed at 55 points but InterMat has Minnesota ranked fourth and Oklahoma State fifth. 

This week Penn State went down from 121.5 to 118.5 and Iowa went up from 76.5 to 83.5. Nebraska dropped from 70.5 to 66 points. Oklahoma State dropped from 60.5 to 55.  

The Dual Rankings remained the same with Penn State-Iowa-Nebraska-Oklahoma State as the top four.

The biggest move for Iowa was Drake Ayala going from #9 to #6 at 133 and that would account for the increase in team points. 

InterMat Rankings

Tournament Rankings

1. Penn State  118.5
2. Iowa  83.5
3. Nebraska  66
4. Minnesota  55

Dual Rankings 

1. Penn State
2. Iowa 
3. Nebraska
4. Oklahoma State

125 – Kale Petersen #32

133 – Drake Ayala #6

141 – Ryder Block #31

149 – Kyle Parco #4

157 – Jacori Teemer #1

165 – Michael Caliendo #2

174 – Nelson Brands #9

184 – Gabe Arnold #7

197 – Stephen Buchanan #2

Hwt – Ben Kueter #13

Iowa will be in action next at the Journeymen Wrestling Uncivil War in St. Charles, Missouri on Friday, December 6 against Princeton and Army.

It seems rare that Iowa Wrestling will not be competing over the Thanksgiving weekend.

It is great to be an Iowa Wrestling fan.

Go Hawks!

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!

I have stated for years on this blog that Iowa Wrestling is my entertainment. Iowa came from behind to defeat Iowa State tonight 21-15 in a very entertaining dual meet.

Iowa won six of ten matches including a tech fall and a major decision to win for the 20th straight time over Iowa State.

Iowa State got off to a fast start when true freshman Adrian Meza defeated Kael Petersen 5-1 at 125. In one of the main matchups at 133 #9 Drake Ayala defeated #5 Evan Frost, 11-7. That was a high level match that you normally see late in the NCAA National Tournament. 

Zach Redding defeated Ryder Block 5-4 at 141 to make the team score 6-3 Iowa State. Petersen and Block did not look confident to me at all and I believe they can both wrestle quite a bit better than what we saw tonight.

149 was a great matchup of top talent. #4 Kyle Parco scored three points off of one sequence without scoring a takedown or back points. Very rare. Parco was awarded one point when Anthony Echemendia was called for locked hands, followed by one point for an escape. A challenge by Coach Tom Brands then awarded Parco another point for an illegal crackback. That one point was the difference for a 4-3 Parco win. As with the match at 133 these two could see each other again late in the National Tournament.

The surprise of the night was when #1 ranked Jacori Teemer injured his leg and had to injury default to Paniro Johnson at 157. Iowa State was awarded six team points and took a 12-6 lead into intermission.

At 165 Michael Caliendo defeated Connor Euton 12-7 in a match that I was expecting bonus points from. I must admit that it did not look good for the Hawks at that point with Iowa State up 12-9.

Iowa then won three straight matches with two new additions to the lineup. Patrick Kennedy got the call over Nelson Brands at 174 and Angelo Ferrari was picked over Gabe Arnold at 184.

At 174 Patrick Kennedy defeated Aiden Riggins by a 19-4 tech fall and Iowa took a 14-12 lead.

There was another surprise when elite true freshman Angelo Ferrari made his Carver-Hawkeye debut with an impressive 8-2 decision over #15 Evan Bockman at 184. Ferrari is the biggest recruit in the Tom Brands era and looks the part. That was a great match to watch.

At 197 Stephen Buchanan looked solid in a 10-0 major decision over elite recruit Christian Carroll. That pushed the team score to Iowa up by 21-12 to clinch the dual meet.

Ben Kueter had a chance with a late cradle but could not capitalize as #4 Yonger Bastida won 7-2 at Hwt.

So Iowa had a disaster happen at 157 where their #1 ranked wrestler gave up six points instead of scoring points. Iowa responded and won the dual meet. 

To me that is all that matters. This was the 20th straight time that Iowa has defeated Iowa State in wrestling and they are always tough dual meets.

The only real concern is how serious is the injury that Teemer suffered to his leg. Iowa has four backup wrestlers at 149 with Caleb Rathjen, Victor Voinovich, Kael Voinovich and Miguel Estrada. Kael Voinovich and Estrada have been impressive so far this season as true freshmen. I hope that they both get a chance to wrestle varsity.

I was standing by listening to Coach Brands on the KXIC radio show following the meet. 

When asked about the changes in the lineup at 174 and 184 Coach Brands said they wanted to shake things up. Ironside stated it was great to have that type of depth to be able to do that.

We are four months away from Nationals. This Iowa team will develop and be fun to watch this season.

Nothing against Ironside and Grace on the radio and a brief commentary from Tom Brands but Angelo Ferrari had the best quote of the night at the press conference:

“Even on my worst night I need to be the best in the country.”

Gotta love the attitude. Angelo Ferrari is going to be entertaining us Hawkeye fans for years.

I saw who I call The Living Legend…Dan Gable on my way out. How humbling it is to know and talk to him. Some brief insight is always welcomed.

Thank you Iowa Wrestling for great entertainment in tonight’s dual meet.

Iowa will be in action next at the Journeymen Wrestling Uncivil War in St. Charles, Missouri on Friday, December 6 against Princeton and Army.

Iowa 21 Iowa State 15

125: Adrian Meza (ISU) over Kale Petersen (IOWA) Dec 5-1

133: Drake Ayala (IOWA) over Evan Frost (ISU) Dec 11-7

141: Zach Redding (ISU) over Ryder Block (IOWA) Dec 5-4

149: Kyle Parco (IOWA) over Anthony Echemendia (ISU) Dec 4-3

157: Paniro Johnson (ISU) over Jacori Teemer (IOWA) (Inj. 3:32) 

165: Michael Caliendo (Iowa)over Connor Euton (ISU) Dec 12-7

174: Patrick Kennedy (Iowa)over Aiden Riggins (ISU) TF 6:34, 19-4

184: Angelo Ferrari (Iowa) over Evan Bockman (ISU) Dec. 8-2

197: Stephen Buchanan (Iowa) over Christian Carroll (ISU) MD 10-0

285: Yonger Bastida (ISU) over Ben Kueter (Iowa) Dec 7-2

It is great to be an Iowa Wrestling fan.

Go Hawks!

Brianna Gonzalez won the title at 117 to win the Missouri Valley Open. Iowa had seventeen wrestlers compete with Gonzalez being the only champ. Ten additional Hawkeyes placed.

Rianne Murphy (103), Ava Bayless (110) and Naomi Simon (180) placed second.

Also placing for Iowa was Emilie Gonzalez (3rd, 110), Cali Leng (6th, 124), Karlee Brooks (131, 7th), Emily Frost (131, 5th), Ava Rose (131, 8th), Katja Osteen (5th, 207) and Alivia White (4th, 207).

Val Solorio (110), Allie Baudhuin (131), Danni Swihart (138), Ella Schmit (145), Rose Cassioppi (160), and Sam Calkins (207) did not place.

Seventy-one teams from across the country competed at the Missouri Valley Open.

The next competition for Iowa will be at the Jewel Dual Tournament in Liberty, Missouri on Saturday, December 7.

Iowa will compete at home one more time this season with Iowa Duals II on Saturday, January 18. The Hawks will face Augustana and Grand View State starting at 6 PM.

From HawkeyeSports.com:

Single dual ticket sales are now available. Please call 1-800-IAHAWKS and select option 2 to be connected to a ticket sales representative or visit https://hawkeyesports.com/tickets/ to learn more.

Missouri Valley Open
103 – #1 Rianne Murphy, 2nd Place
WIN Britley Lopez (Chadron), Fall 1:11
WIN Rilee Harrison (Oklahoma State University), TF 10-0
WIN Calli Connally (Carl Albert), TF 13-0
WIN Malarie Dominguez (Wayland Baptist), Fall 0:54
WIN Gabriele Tedesco (McKendree University), Dec 8-8
LOSS Makennah Craft (Unattached), TF 10-0

110 – #1 Ava Bayless, 2nd Place
WIN Rylee Balcazar (Chadron), TF 10-0
WIN Dinayah Vazquez (Emmanuel University), TF 10-0
WIN Rocio Chavez-Fuentes (York), TF 10-0
WIN #4 Samantha Miller (McKendree), Dec. 9-4
WIN Avery Ashley (Oklahoma City University), Dec 11-2
LOSS #2 Sage Mortimer (Grand Valley State), Fall 2:51

110 – #5 Emilie Gonzalez, 3rd Place
WIN Ashley Courtney (University of the Cumberlands), TF 10-0
WIN Sereena Baca (Quincy), TF 10-0
WIN Kinzie Rogers (Baker), TF 10-0
WIN Hailey Holland (Missouri Valley), TF 10-0
LOSS #2 Sage Mortimer (Grand Valley State), Dec 11-5
WIN Sophia Cornish (Colorado Mesa), TF 11-1
WIN Avery Ashley (OK City), Dec 5-4

110 – Val Solorio, DNP
WIN Rilee Harrison (Oklahoma State University), TF 10-0
WIN Heavynne Robles-Wright (Chadron), TF 10-0
LOSS #2 Sage Mortimer (Grand Valley State), TF 15-3
LOSS Dinayah Vazquez (Emmanuel University), Fall 2:03

117 – #1 Brianna Gonzalez, 1st Place
WIN Ruby Guerrero (Hastings), TF 10-0
WIN Caitlin Reiter (Lindenwood University), TF 10-0
WIN Victoria Nunez (Central Methodist), TF 10-0
WIN #4 Karissa Turnwall (Emmanuel), Dec. 7-1
WIN Zao Estrada (William Penn University), Fall 3:48
WIN Camille Fournier (Texas Wesleyan), TF 10-0

117 – Ava Rose, 8th Place
WIN Ranie Paulin (Baker), TF 10-0
WIN Kylie Bustos (William Penn University), TF 10-0
WIN Kailyn Younger (Unattached), Fall 5:16
LOSS Camille Fournier (Texas Wesleyan), Fall 1:21
WIN Icart Galumette (Campbellsville University), TF 10-0
LOSS Marjorie McDaniel (Colorado Mesa), Fall 1:44

124 – Cali Leng, 6th Place
WIN Leah Cisneros (Missouri Valley), TF 15-4
WIN Carolina Rios (Texas Wesleyan), Fall 5:53
WIN Kamilah Brooks (Lindsey Wilson), Dec. 8-2
LOSS Joanna Vanderwood (William Penn), TF 10-0
WIN Isla Baeza (Missouri Valley College), TF 12-1
WIN Alexandra Fitzgerald (Sacred Heart), Dec 10-7
LOSS Aspen Blasko (Grand Valley State), Fall 1:45
LOSS Lexi Lopez (Fort Hays), Dec 7-3

131 – Allie Baudhuin, DNP
WIN Madison Rich (Ottawa), TF 10-0
WIN Trinity Davis (Unattached), TF 10-0
LOSS Bella Williams (Unattached), Dec. 4-1
WIN Bronwyn Brenneman (William Penn), Dec 6-2
LOSS Hannah Palise (Grand Valley State), Fall 0:41

131 – Karlee Brooks, 7th Place
WIN Myah Brown (Wayland Baptist University), TF 10-0
WIN Hannah Palise (Grand Valley State), TF 10-0
WIN Martynique Davis (Valiant), TF 10-0
LOSS Ashley Whetzal (MVC), Fall 2:14
WIN Hannah Palise (Grand Valley State), TF 13-2
LOSS Cayden Condit (Lindenwood), Fall 1:34
WIN Cameron Ortiz (Campbellsville), Fall 3:48

131 – #8 Emily Frost, 5th Place
WIN Destiny Gonzalez (Central Methodist), TF 12-2
WIN Jill High (York), Fall 1:23
WIN Grecia Martinez (William Penn), Fall 0:16
WIN Shelby Kemp (William Jewell), Fall 1:10
LOSS Bella Williams (Unattached OK), Dec 13-4
LOSS Cayden Condit (Lindenwood), Fall 0:51
WIN Shelby Kemp (William Jewell), Fall 0:59

138 – Danni Swihart, DNP
LOSS Kori Campbell (Lindsey Wilson), TF 12-1
LOSS Lilly Gough (Central Methodist), Dec. 13-4

145 – #5 Ella Schmit, DNP
WIN Jaidyn Clinton (Missouri Valley College), Fall 0:26
WIN Lisa Hoeflich (Hastings), Fall 0:21
WIN Karstin Hollen (Chadron), TF 10-0
WIN Mina Himmel (Central Methodist), Fall 0:43
LOSS Aleah Nickel (Unattached), Dec. 6-2
LOSS Elleni Johnson (Grand Valley State), Fall 1:39

160 – #9 Rose Cassioppi, DNP
WIN #10 Clarissa Agostini (Grand Valley State), TF 10-0
LOSS Athena Willden (William Jewell), Dec. 14-13
WIN Makena Schramm (Midland), TF 10-0
WIN Isabella Harris (William Penn), Dec. 7-0
LOSS Alexandra Grow (Iowa Central Community College), injury default

180 – #8 Naomi Simon, 2nd Place
WIN Tambria Wilson (Central Methodist), TF 10-0
WIN Aaliyah Presley (Iowa Central CC), TF 10-0
WIN Kaylee Davis (Ottawa), TF 12-2
WIN Saiheron Preciado-Meza (Cumberlands), Fall 1:28
WIN India Page (Lindsey Wilson), Fall 2:42
LOSS Sabrina Nauss (Grand Valley State), Dec 8-4

207 – Sam Calkins, DNP
WIN Taylor Rickley (Hastings), Dec 4-2
WIN Naomi Duenas (Cumberlands), Dec 5-4
LOSS Ciara Monger (Fort Hays), Dec. 5-4
WIN Esther Peters (Chadron), TF 12-2
LOSS Faith Wooley (Wayland Baptist), Fall 2:19

207 – #7 Katja Osteen, 5th Place
WIN Deanna Eastman (Alberta), Fall 0:32
WIN Druzzla Johnson (Emmanuel), Fall 0:17
WIN #4 Jayleen Sekona (Colorado Mesa), TF 11-1
LOSS #3 Sara Lake (Lindenwood University), Dec 2-1
LOSS Alivia White (Iowa), Dec 2-1
WIN Hannah Jackson (Ottawa), Fall 1:02

207 – Alivia White, 4th Place
WIN Stacey Nash (Carl Albert), TF 10-0
WIN Destiny Marquez (Cumberlands), Dec. 2-1
LOSS Kelani Corbett (Missouri Valley), Dec. 7-2
WIN Bella Porcelli (Grand View), Fall 0:31
WIN Leilani Sanchez (Wayland Baptist), Fall 1:06
WIN #7 Katja Osteen (Iowa), Dec 2-1
LOSS #4 Jayleen Sekona (Colorado Mesa), Fall 1:40

It is great to be an Iowa Wrestling fan.

Go Hawks!

USA Wrestling has announced that Austin DeSanto and Otto Black will compete in two Greco-Roman tournaments in Europe.

DeSanto(60kg) and Black(67kg) will compete at the Haparanda Cup in Haparanda, Sweden on Saturday, November 30. 

On Saturday, December 7 they will compete at the Arvo Haavisto Cup in Ilmajoki, FInland.

DeSanto and Black are the only Americans competing and will be coached by Joe Warren.

DeSano was a four-time All American for Iowa. This will be the first international Greco-Roman competition for DeSanto.

In international freestyle competition in 2023 DeSanto won a silver medal at the Poland Open and silver at the Ibrahim Moustafa Ranking Event in Alexandria, Egypt.

Black captured silver at 63kg/138 lbs. at the 2024 U20 Greco-Roman World Championships in Pontevedra, Spain and also won Gold at 63kg/138 lbs. at the U20 Pan American Championships in Lima, Peru. 

Black, from Park, Colorado, won a 138 lbs. 4A Colorado state title last season with a 52-0 record. He was a Junior Greco-Roman national champion at 126 in 2022 and 132 in 2023.

Black is a member of the Iowa Wrestling Recruiting Class of 2024 and is expected to join the team in January for the second semester.

HAPARANDA CUP

Haparanda, Sweden, November 30

ARVO HAAVISTO CUP

Ilmajoki, Finland, December 7

U.S. Greco-Roman Roster

60 kg – Austin DeSanto, Iowa City, Iowa (Hawkeye WC)

67 kg – Otto Black, Parker, Colo. (Colorado Top Team)

Coach – Joe Warren, Monument, Colo.

It is great to be an Iowa Wrestling fan.

Go Hawks!

Isabela Marie Gonzales announced on Instagram that she has committed to the University of Iowa.

In the National Girls High School Rankings released November 13 Gonzales is the top ranked recruit for the Class of 2025, #3 in the P4P rankings and #1 at 120 lbs.

Gonzales, from Fresno, California (East Clovis HS), placed fifth at 53kg/116 lbs. at the 2024 U17 World Championships in Amman, Jordan in August.

To qualify for the World Championships Gonzales won the 53kg title at U17 Women’s Nationals.

She was a U17 Pan-Am champion in 2023 and a U15 Pan-Am champion in 2022. At U16 Nationals Gonzales placed third in 2023 and second in 2022.

Gonzales is a two-time state California state champion and won a Super 32 title.

Gonzales will add to an already stacked roster for the Hawkeyes. Iowa won the 2024 NCWWC national title in their first year of competition. 

Iowa is currently ranked #1 and look to have an even better team this season.

Gonzales is the type of recruit that will keep Iowa at the top of women’s wrestling.

It is great to be an Iowa Wrestling fan.

Go Hawks!

The University of Iowa Women’s program will have eighteen wrestlers competing at the Missouri Valley Open this weekend. 

Sixty-eight teams will compete at the Burns Athletic Center in Marshall, Missouri. The wrestling begins at Noon Friday and the finals are slated for 1 PM Saturday.

The Missouri Valley Open will be live streamed on FloWrestling.

Iowa had six champs last year and five champs in 2022 at this tournament.

103 – Rianne Murphy

110 – Ava Bayless

         Emilie Gonzalez

         Val Solorio

117 – Brianna Gonzalez

         Ava Rose

124 – Cali Leng

131 – Allie Baudhuin

         Karlee Brooks

         Emily Frost

138 – Danni Swihart

145 – Ella Schmit

160 – Rose Cassioppi

180 – Naomi Simon

207 – Sam Calkins

         Jaycee Foeller

         Katja Osteen

         Alivia White

Missouri Valley Open schedule

Friday, Nov 22nd

12:00 PM Round One begins – Prelims through Quarterfinals

Saturday, Nov 23rd, 2024 

9:00 AM Wrestling Begins 

1:00 PM Finals 

*Schedule is tentative and is subject to change. 

I will have a follow up blog with results.

After Saturday the next competition for Iowa will be at the Jewel Dual Tournament on Saturday, December 7.

Iowa will compete at home one more time this season with Iowa Duals II on Saturday, January 18. The Hawks will face Augustana and Grand View State starting at 6 PM.

From HawkeyeSports.com:

Single dual ticket sales are now available. Please call 1-800-IAHAWKS and select option 2 to be connected to a ticket sales representative or visit https://hawkeyesports.com/tickets/ to learn more.

It is great to be an Iowa Wrestling fan.

Go Hawks!