If you have been reading my blog in the past you know that I have been high on Abe Assad since he was a recruit. Assad came into the program with high expectations. Injuries have definitely been an influence on his career.

Assad is 6-1 this season at 184 with one tech fall and two major decisions. Among those wins are a 22-7 tech fall over the #31 ranked wrestler and a 14-4 major decision over the #31 ranked wrestler. Assad has the potential to not only put up points, but big points. Scoring more points in the big matches will be the key as Assad moves up in competition.

#8 ranked Assad will face six ranked opponents in the nine remaining dual meets including the #1 and #9 ranked wrestlers from the Big Ten. A solid stretch in the remaining dual meets will help set up Assad for seeds at Big Tens and Nationals.

Scoring team points above his current ranking of #8 at Nationals could have a major influence in the team race. I still believe a healthy Assad is a national title contender. Give me a healthy and confident Abe Assad at the NCAA Championships and I will like our chances to score valuable points in the team race.

Results at 184

#10 Abe Assad (UI) dec. Peter Acciardi (CBU), 11-4

#8 Abe Assad (UI) dec. Sahm Abdulrazzaq (ARMY), 12-5

#8 Abe Assad (UI) major dec. Hunter Perez (SH), 22-9

 #8 Abe Assad (UI) tech. fall #32 Giuseppe Hoose (UB), 22-7

#8 Abe Assad (UI) dec. Maximus Hale (Penn), 5-0

#5 Marcus Coleman (ISU) dec. #8 Abe Assad (UI), 3-2

#8 Abe Assad (UI) major dec. #31 Matthew Waddell (UTC), 14-4

Upcoming ranked opponents at 184 (InterMat Rankings) for #8 Abe Assad

Illinois  Jan 6

#32 Ben Vanadia at Purdue  Jan 8

Northwestern  Jan 13

#12 Lenny Pinto Nebraska  Jan 20

at Wisconsin  Jan 22

#1 Aaron Brooks at Penn State  Jan 27

#15 Isaiah Salazar at Minnesota  Feb 3

#9 Matt Finesilver Michigan  Feb 10

#16 Travis Wittlake Oklahoma State  Feb 19

It is great to be an Iowa Wrestling fan.

Go Hawks!

The Iowa Hawkeyes have had four wrestlers compete at 174 so far this season in seven dual meets. Nelson Brands is back in the lineup to stay after recovering from an injury. Brands is 2-1 on the season and ranked #17.

Brands will face seven ranked wrestlers in the nine remaining dual meets. Among that group will be the #1, 3, and 4 ranked wrestlers in the country. That elite competition will prepare Brands well for the Big Tens and Nationals.

I will be patient as Brands will work himself back into competition shape. Scoring points above his current ranking of #17 at Nationals would be huge. The team points scored at 174 by Iowa could be a significant factor in the team race.

I do look for Brands to end his career as a Hawk on a high note. I look for the best performance of Nelson Brands career to be at the NCAA National Tournament.

Results at 174

Drake Rhodes (UI) major dec. Zach Rowe (CBU), 13-4

#21 Ben Pasiuk (ARMY) major dec. Carson Martinson (UI), 15-4

Joe Kelly (UI) major dec. Ryan Bolletino (SH), 17-7

Marcus Petite (UB) dec. Joe Kelly (UI), 2-0

Nelson Brands (UI) dec. #19 Nick Incontrera (Penn), 5-1

#15 Nelson Brands (UI) major dec. MJ Gaitan (ISU), 13-5

#16 Rocky Jordan (UTC) dec. #14 Nelson Brands (UI), 3-1

Upcoming ranked opponents at 174 (InterMat Rankings) for #17 Nelson Brands

#10 Edmund Ruth Illinois  Jan 6

at Purdue  Jan 8

#20 Troy Fisher Northwestern  Jan 13

#2 Mikey Labriola Nebraska  Jan 20

at Wisconsin  Jan 22

#1 Carter Starocci at Penn State  Jan 27

#16 Bailee O’Reilly at Minnesota  Feb 3

#31 Joseph Walker Michigan  Feb 10

#4 Dustin Plott Oklahoma State  Feb 19

It is great to be an Iowa Wrestling fan.

Go Hawks!

Iowa Wrestling fans had high expectations for Patrick Kennedy coming into the season. 165 is without a doubt in my opinion the most competitive weight in the country.  Kennedy is currently ranked #13 with a 5-1 record with his loss coming to #3 David Carr.

Kennedy has scored bonus points in all five wins this season with three tech falls and two major decisions. He will face a ranked wrestler in seven of the nine remaining dual meets. These matches will provide Kennedy the opportunity to rise in the rankings to improve his seed at Big Tens and the NCAA National Tournament.

I have gone over the rankings at 165 numerous times and the quality and quantity of competition is impressive. As I already mentioned 165 is the toughest weight class in the country. However I see Kennedy as an All American this year.

Currently at #13 the current rankings are not counting on to many points from Kennedy at the National Tournament. Kennedy alone could make a huge impact on the team race with his performance at Nationals. I certainly believe Patrick Kennedy has the potential to do just that.

Results at 165

#14 Patrick Kennedy (UI) tech. fall Mateo De La Pena (CBU), 20-5

#13 Patrick Kennedy (UI) major dec. #28 Dalton Harkins (ARMY), 22-9

#13 Patrick Kennedy (UI) tech. fall Aidan Zarrella (SH), 24-9

Cobe Siebrecht (UI) maj dec over Noah Grover (Buffalo) 8-0

#13 Patrick Kennedy (UI) major dec. Lucas Revano (Penn), 14-5

#3 David Carr (ISU) dec. #13 Patrick Kennedy (UI), 10-4

165 – #14 Patrick Kennedy (UI) tech fall Jackson Hurst (UTC), 23-8

Upcoming ranked opponents at 165 (InterMat Rankings) for #13 Patrick Kennedy

#15 Danny Braunagel Illinois  Jan 6

at Purdue  Jan 8

Northwestern  Jan 13

#24 Bubba Wilson Nebraska  Jan 20

#4 Dean Hamiti at Wisconsin  Jan 22

#14 Alex Facundo at Penn State  Jan 27

#20 Andrew Sparks at Minnesota  Feb 3

#6 Cameron Amine Michigan  Feb 10

#21 Wyatt Sheets Oklahoma State  Feb 19

It is great to be an Iowa Wrestling fan.

Go Hawks!

It was a successful and dominating weekend for our incoming recruits. Kale Petersen recorded a tech fall and fall to win the 132 lbs. title at the Carroll Invitational. Keyan Hernandez was 5-0 with three pins and a major decision to win the 120 lbs. title at the two-day CMR Holiday Tournament in Great Falls, Montana.

We had three recruits at the Battle of Waterloo, a two-day dual meet tournament. Gabe Arnold was 6-0 with five pins and a major decision. Arnold wrestled two matches at 195. Ben Kueter did not have a lot of mat time in this tournament as he was 6-0 with six pins. Included were three first period pins in :20, :22, and 1:29.

Ryder Block was 5-0 with four pins and a tech fall at the Battle of Wateloo with one pin up a weight at 145. 

All of our recruits will be off for the holiday break until after the first of the year.

The future looks great for Iowa Wrestling.

Class of 2023

Nate Jesuroga – Southeast Polk  126 lbs.

Sat, Dec 17 – Red Owens Invitational (SEP HS, Pleasant Hill)

Did not compete.

Kale Petersen – Greene County  132 lbs.

Sat, Dec 17 – at Carroll Invitational (Carroll, Iowa)

Quarterfinal – Kale Petersen (Greene County) 14-0 received a (Bye)

Semifinal – Kale Petersen (Greene County) 14-0 won by tech fall over Thomas Gamboa (Westwood) 6-5 (TF-1.5 2:00 (20-5))

1st Place Match – Kale Petersen (Greene County) 14-0 won by fall over Riley Parkis (Kuemper) 10-3 (Fall 1:52)

Ryder Block – Waverly-Shell Rock  138 lbs.

Fri/Sat, Dec 16-17 – at Battle of Waterloo

Ryder Block (Waverly-Shell Rock) over Mikey Kersten (Assumption, Davenport) Fall 2:30

Ryder Block (Waverly-Shell Rock) over Carter Streasick (Valley, West Des Moines) Fall 2:21

Ryder Block (Waverly-Shell Rock) over Ely Royer (Ankeny) Fall 0:45

Ryder Block (Waverly-Shell Rock) over Myles McMahon (Don Bosco) TF 22-7

145 – Ryder Block (Waverly-Shell Rock) over Darren Adams (Osage) Fall 3:59

Gabe Arnold – City High (Iowa City)  182 lbs.

Fri/Sat, Dec 16-17 – at Battle of Waterloo

195 – Gabe Arnold (Iowa City, City High) over Brock Voyna (Crestwood, Cresco) Fall 1:44

195 – Gabe Arnold (Iowa City, City High) over Carson Hartz (Columbus Catholic) Maj 15-6

Gabe Arnold (Iowa City, City High) over Logan Massey (Epworth, Western Dubuque) Fall 0:37

Gabe Arnold (Iowa City, City High) over Cannon Joerger (Wapsie Valley) Fall 2:35

Gabe Arnold (Iowa City, City High) over James Cleary (Bishop Heelan Catholic) Fall 1:50

Gabe Arnold (Iowa City, City High) over Mason Allen (Clarion-Goldfield-Dows) Fall 2:13

Ben Kueter – City High (Iowa City)  220 lbs.

Fri/Sat, Dec 16-17 – at Battle of Waterloo

Ben Kueter (Iowa City, City High) over Drew Jackson (Crestwood, Cresco) Fall 2:53

Ben Kueter (Iowa City, City High) over Mason Knipp (Columbus Catholic) Fall 0:22

Ben Kueter (Iowa City, City High) over Jake Murphy (Epworth, Western Dubuque) Fall 0:20

Ben Kueter (Iowa City, City High) over Keegon Brown (Wapsie Valley) Fall 2:46

Ben Kueter (Iowa City, City High) over Naeron Bisse (Bishop Heelan Catholic) Fall 3:14

Ben Kueter (Iowa City, City High) over Ashtin Willms (Clarion-Goldfield-Dows) Fall 1:29

Cody Chittum  149/157  #1 overall recruit in the Class of 2022 has graduated high school and will enroll with the Class of 2023 in August.

Class of 2024

Keyan Hernandez – Billings West (Montana)  120 lbs.

Fri/Sat, Dec 16-17 – at CMR Holiday Tournament (Great Falls, Montana)

Champ. Round 1 – Keyan Hernandez (Billings West) 11-0 received a bye () (Bye)

Champ. Round 2 – Keyan Hernandez (Billings West) 11-0 won by fall over Christian Miller (Anaconda) 4-7 (Fall 1:51)

Champ. Round 3 – Keyan Hernandez (Billings West) 11-0 won by fall over Cash Byrd (Columbia Falls) 1-2 (Fall 1:49)

Quarterfinal – Keyan Hernandez (Billings West) 11-0 won by fall over Payne Reilly (Forsyth) 11-4 (Fall 1:21)

Semifinal – Keyan Hernandez (Billings West) 11-0 won by major decision over Cole Rogers (Three Forks) 4-2 (MD 13-0)

1st Place Match – Keyan Hernandez (Billings West) 11-0 won by decision over Mason Gutenberger (Belgrade) 12-1 (Dec 3-0)

It is great to be an Iowa Wrestling fan.

Go Hawks!

We have one final big weekend of the calendar year of competition for our incoming recruits. We will have three recruits competing at the Battle of Waterloo. Ben Kueter and Gabe Arnold of City High (Iowa City) and Ryder Block of Waverly-Shell Rock will face some solid competition at this always tough tournament that is on Friday and Saturday.

Keyan Hernandez will also compete on Friday and Saturday at the CMR Holiday Tournament in Great Falls, Montana. Great Falls in the hometown of Iowa Hawkeye greats Bill and Mike Zadick. I just had to throw that in there.

On Saturday Nate Jesuroga will be at the Red Owens Invitational at Southeast Polk and Kale Petersen will be at the Carroll Invitational.

I will post a blog with results.

Class of 2023

Nate Jesuroga – Southeast Polk

Sat, Dec 17 – Red Owens Invitational (SEP HS, Pleasant Hill)

Kale Petersen – Greene County

Sat, Dec 17 – at Carroll Invitational (Carroll, Iowa)

Ryder Block – Waverly-Shell Rock

Fri/Sat, Dec 16-17 – at Battle of Waterloo

Gabe Arnold – City High (Iowa City)

Fri/Sat, Dec 16-17 – at Battle of Waterloo

Ben Kueter – City High (Iowa City)

Fri/Sat, Dec 16-17 – at Battle of Waterloo

Class of 2024

Keyan Hernandez – Billings West (Montana)

Fri/Sat, Dec 16-17 – at CMR Holiday Tournament (Great Falls, Montana)

It is great to be an Iowa Wrestling fan.

Go Hawks!

The most wide open weight in the Iowa lineup heading into the season was 157. There were four wrestlers in the mix for the starting spot with no clear favorite. The opening at 157 has been filled by Cobe Siebrecht. After winning the wrestle offs to make the first start of the season Siebrecht has not looked back.

Siebrecht is 6-0 with five bonus point wins with two pins and three major decisions. To add to that, Siebrecht has the two most exciting moves of the season so far. The flurry that led to a pin over #10 Anthony Artalona of Penn earned Siebrecht the honor of being named Big Ten Wrestler of the Week.

Siebrecht followed up with a huge throw against Iowa State on his way to earning a 10-2 decision over John Kraisser of Iowa State. That was four crucial points in the Iowa win over Iowa State, 18-15.

It is safe to say that Siebrecht is not afraid to get after it and has quickly become a crowd favorite. Another stat of note. Siebrecht has only surrendered four match points in the four matches that went the distance this season.

Siebrecht will face eight nationally ranked wrestlers in the nine remaining dual meets with the #2,3,8,10,11,14, 16, and 28th ranked wrestlers in the country. If the rankings hold up now Siebrecht, currently ranked #21, will only be a favorite in two of his nine remaining matches and just a slight favorite in one of those matches. The tough competition will prepare Siebrecht for the grind of the Big Tens and the NCAA National Tournament.

Points at 157 for Nationals could make a huge difference in the team race. I have followed Siebrecht throughout his career in our hometown of Lisbon, Iowa. I am confident that Siebrecht will peak at Nationals and be there for his team by providing valuable points.

157

Cobe Siebrecht (UI) pinned Joey Mora (Cal Baptist), 4:59

Cobe Siebrecht (UI) major dec. #28 Nate Lukez (ARMY), 8-0

Nick Palumbo (Sacred Heart) dec. Caleb Rathjen (UI), 8-4

Caleb Rathjen (UI) dec. Nick Stampoulus (Buffalo), 6-0

#29 Cobe Siebrecht (UI) pinned #10 Anthony Artalona (Penn), 4:02

#25 Cobe Siebrecht (UI) major dec. Jason Kraisser (ISU), 10-2

#24 Cobe Siebrecht (UI) dec. Lincoln Heck (UTC), 6-2

Upcoming ranked opponents at 157 (InterMat Rankings)

 #3 Kendall Coleman  at Purdue  Jan 8

#14 Trevor Trumblee  Northwestern  Jan 13

#2 Peyton Robb  Nebraska  Jan 20

#16 Garrett Model  at Wisconsin  Jan 22

#28 Terrell Barraclough  at Penn State  Jan 27

#11 Brayton Lee  at Minnesota  Feb 3

#10 Will Lewan  Michigan  Feb 10

#8 Kaden Gfeller  Oklahoma State  Feb 19

It is great to be an Iowa Wrestling fan.

Go Hawks!  

Iowa Wrestling released the date of registration for their summer camps. This is important because the Iowa Wrestling Camps have sold out the last several years. Getting registered early is needed to attend these camps.

From Iowa Wrestling Camp Director Bobby Telford:

Hello,

Camp registration will open on Wednesday, January 18th! Please visit www.iowawrestlingcamps.com to register. Camps will sell out quickly so please register if you want to attend. The hardest part about camp is turning people away. We will have a waiting list once camp is full.

Contact me prior to registration opening if you have a group of 10+ athletes interested in attending camp.

We are excited to have you all at camp next summer! If you have further questions, do not hesitate to reach out.

Go Hawks,

Bobby Telford

319-335-9404

It is great to be an Iowa Wrestling fan.

Go Hawks!

In a press release the University of Iowa just announced great news for the Iowa Wrestling program. This is H-U-G-E!

Iowa Athletics

Iowa Hawkeyes Announce UFC as Men’s and Women’s Wrestling Program Sponsor

Both Brands Share Standards of High Performance and Excellence

IOWA CITY, Iowa – The University of Iowa Athletics Department and its multimedia rightsholder, LEARFIELD’s Hawkeye Sports Properties, today announced that UFCÒ, the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization, will serve as a proud sponsor of the men’s and women’s wrestling programs.

This marks the first college sports sponsorship for UFC, which chose Iowa for its longtime tradition of wrestling excellence within the men’s program and for support of the university’s newest intercollegiate program, women’s wrestling.  Iowa is the first NCAA Division I Power Five institution to offer the sport, as announced Sept. 23, 2021, with Clarissa Chun serving as the team’s first head coach.

UFC’s sponsorship encompasses signage inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena, as well as exposure during the wrestling radio broadcasts and visibility on Iowa Hawkeyes’ official social platforms.

“The partnership between Iowa wrestling and UFC is a perfect fit. We both celebrate tough, physical athletes who compete at the highest level,” said Iowa men’s wrestling head coach Tom Brands. “There is a bridge between wrestlers and fighters across the two sports. With this agreement, it is even more significant.”

The legacy and tradition of the Iowa men’s wrestling program is undeniable, which was a key driver for UFC’s sponsorship. Season tickets for the 2022-23 Hawkeye wrestling season sold out for the second-consecutive year, and the team returns six past All-Americans on the roster. The Hawkeyes have led the nation in attendance in every season since 2006-07 – Tom Brands’ first as head coach – including setting an NCAA record in 2021-22, with an average of 14,905 fans.

“We’re proud to support the Iowa Hawkeyes’ men’s and women’s wrestling programs,” said Lawrence Epstein, UFC Chief Operating Officer.  “Many of the best UFC athletes were skilled and experienced collegiate wrestlers.  Wrestling provides an excellent foundation of athleticism, discipline, determination, and respect that is needed to have a successful MMA career.  We’re looking forward to seeing the Hawkeyes continue their tradition of excellence and sportsmanship and compete for NCAA championships for many years to come”

“It is significant that UFC selected Iowa and its wrestling programs for a first-of-its-kind sponsorship, and we’re extremely appreciative of that support,” said Chun, whose team begins competing in 2023-24. “Our athletes, and theirs, have a shared bond of training and competing at an elite level.”

About UFC

UFC® is the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization (MMA), with more than 688 million fans and 211 million social media followers. The organization produces more than 40 live events annually in some of the most prestigious arenas around the world, while broadcasting to nearly 900 million TV households across more than 170 countries. UFC’s athlete roster features the world’s best MMA athletes representing more than 75 countries. The organization’s digital offerings include UFC FIGHT PASS®, one of the world’s leading streaming services for combat sports. UFC is owned by global entertainment, sports and content company Endeavor, and is headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada. For more information, visit UFC.com and follow UFC at Facebook.com/UFC, Twitter, Snapchat, Instagram and TikTok: @UFC.

It is great to be an Iowa Wrestling fan.

Go Hawks!

There are few certainties in life. One thing you can count on is Max Murin giving everything he has every single time he steps on the mat for the University of Iowa. If there was ever a wrestler to describe as a grinder it is Max Murin.

Murin is 5-1 for the season and ranked #6 at 149. We have seen Murin score point totals of 24, 15, 20, and 16 so far this season. That would be a trend we would like to see continue.

He will face six ranked wrestlers in the nine remaining dual meets including #2 Austin Gomez of Wisconsin and #7 Yahya Thomas of Northwestern. Those are the type of matches you see late in the NCAA National Tournament.

As a fan I appreciate Max Murin because of his consistent effort. I will soak up the rest of Murin’s last season in the lineup for the Hawks because he is a fighter. Murin is the type of guy that you never count out of a match.

His points are needed in the team race and I believe Max Murin has a huge match in store for us at the National Tournament. 

149

#7 Max Murin (UI) tech fall Chaz Hallmark (Cal Baptist), 24-9

#7 Max Murin (UI) major dec. Matt Williams (ARMY), 15-5

#7 Max Murin (UI) tech. fall Matt Laurie (SH), 20-5

#7 Max Murin (UI) major dec. Kaleb Burgess (UB), 16-5

#6 Max Murin (UI) dec. #10 Doug Zapf (Penn), 6-4 (SV1)

#8 Paniro Johnson (ISU) dec. #6 Max Murin, 3-1

#27 Noah Castillo (UTC) dec. Joel Jesuroga (UI), 3-2 (TB1)

Upcoming ranked opponents (InterMat Rankings)

#7 Yahya Thomas  Northwestern  Jan 13

 #2 Austin Gomez  at Wisconsin  Jan 22

#17 Shayne Van Ness  at Penn State  Jan 27

#16 Michael Blockhus  at Minnesota  Feb 3

#22 Chance Lamer  Michigan  Feb 10

#21 Victor Voinovich  Oklahoma State  Feb 19

It is great to be an Iowa Wrestling fan.

Go Hawks!  

Real Woods transferring to Iowa from Stanford was one of the top stories in the wrestling world over the off-season. Woods started the season late due to injury. Drew Bennett was 3-2 in varsity action. It was worth the wait for Hawk fans for Woods to appear in the lineup.

In his first match of the season Woods defeated #10 Casey Swiderski of Iowa State. On Saturday night Woods was impressive against Chattanooga. He scored an early takedown followed by 14 back points to score a rare first period tech fall, 16-0 in 2:57. That is the type of offensive spark you like to see in the lineup. 

Woods will face a ranked opponent in eight of the nine remaining dual meets at 141 including four in the top nine in the country. The grind of the Big Ten will prepare Woods and the entire team for the NCAA Tournament.

Currently ranked #2 in the country, the sky’s the limit for Woods. I look forward to seeing him compete the rest of the season. Sure like our chances of winning it all here at 141.

141

Drew Bennett (UI) major dec. Edison Alanis (Cal Baptist), 16-5

Julian Sanchez (ARMY) dec. Drew Bennett (UI), 5-3

Drew Bennett (UI) dec. Seth Brown (Sacred Heart), 12-8

Drew Bennett (UI) dec. Matt Ryan (Buffalo), 9-6

Carmen Ferrante (Penn) dec. Drew Bennett (UI), 4-1

#2 Real Woods (UI) dec. #10 Casey Swiderski (ISU), 4-2

#2 Real Woods (UI) tech fall Dayne Dalrymple (UTC), 16-0  (2:57)

Upcoming ranked opponents at 141 (InterMat Rankings)

#16 Parker Filius  at Purdue  Jan 8

#6 Frankie Tal-Shahar  Northwestern  Jan 13

#9 Brock Hardy  Nebraska  Jan 20

#22 Joe Zargo  at Wisconsin  Jan 22

#5 Beau Barlett  at Penn State  Jan 27

#7 Jake Bergeland  at Minnesota  Feb 3

#20 Cole Mattin  Michigan  Feb 10

#28 Carter Young  Oklahoma State  Feb 19

It is great to be an Iowa Wrestling fan.

Go Hawks!