The 2023 Hawkeye Wrestling Club Arctic Plunge will be on Saturday, January 14th at the Brown Deer Golf Course in Coralville. This is the biggest fundraiser of the entire year for the HWC. Donations go directly to support the HWC.

The HWC has been a huge part of the success of Iowa Wrestling since it began in 1973.

Saturday, January 14th

Brown Deer Golf Course at 1900 Country Club Drive in Coralville, Iowa

Doors Open at 3 PM

From HawkeyeWrestlingClub.com:

The Hawkeye Wrestling Club was created to enhance and extend the careers of our athletes that wish to pursue NCAA, World & Olympic Wrestling Championships. This pursuit of excellence is not possible without the support of generous donors like you!

Our annual Arctic Plunge fundraiser provides financial assistance that directly impacts our athletes. Expenses for domestic competitions, training camps, and foreign tours are all possible because of you! These donations help us stay at the top of our craft and focus on the task at hand… WRESTLING!

Our event will include an icy jump into frigid waters, a costume contest, and the coveted Jumper All-American awards ceremony. Guests and jumpers will have access to a cash bar along with complimentary keg beer, pizza, and hot drinks!

For more information on the 2023 HWC Arctic Plunge:

hawkeyewrestlingclub.com/events/2023-arctic-plunge/

To donate or become a jumper:

boom.hawkeyewrestlingclub.com/campaign/2023-hwc-arctic-plunge/c433148

It is great to be an Iowa Wrestling fan.

Go Hawks!

Iowa Wrestling fans will start the new year off right on Friday, January 6 for the Illinois dual meet. The Hawkeye Wrestling Club will have a Pre-Match Social at Donnelly’s Pub starting at 5 PM. Donnelly’s Pub is located at 110 E College Street in downtown Iowa City. This is a great opportunity to meet HWC members and talk about everything that is Iowa Wrestling with fellow fans.

Following the meet there will be a H.A.W.K. Party at the Coralville Radisson in the Kinnick Room. The Coralville Radisson is located at 1220 1st Avenue just North of I-80 at Exit 242.

The Hawkeye Area Wrestling Klub (H.A.W.K.) began in 1978 and is the oldest college wrestling fan support organization in the country. Attending a H.A.W.K. Party is a big part of the Iowa Wrestling experience for a big dual meet for a lot of fans for decades.

For more information and to join the H.A.W.K. –  http://hawkklub.com/

Iowa faces #28 Illinois at 7 PM inside legendary Carver-Hawkeye Arena before a sellout crowd.

It is great to be an Iowa Wrestling fan.

Go Hawks!

The Iowa Hawkeyes had eight champs and won the inaugural Soldier Salute in Coralville, Iowa. Up and down the lineup I like what I saw. I believe this tournament is just what Iowa Wrestling needed at this time.

I was hoping to see Spencer Lee and we did. Not much else to say except how I have been describing him since his true freshman year. Spencer Lee is…Spencer Lee. I look for Lee to go out with a statement for his remaining career as a Hawk. The future looks great with Drake Ayala more than ready to step in next year. The tradition at 125 for the present and future has never looked better for Iowa Wrestling.

Cullan Schriever looked solid in winning the title at 133. As he continues to evolve and finish his shots the future looks better and better for Schriever. I must admit that I did not know he was that quick on his shots until I saw him in person. Fine tuning his finishes to takedowns to go along with his mat wrestling that is already there and we may have more at 133 that we think for the National Tournament this year.

Real Woods just continues to impress. He is fun to watch. Do not blink because you may miss a big move. He was not really challenged in winning the title at 141. Nothing else to say except I love our chances of winning it all at 141.

Max Murin won the title at 149. He came out quick and was scoring points. Gotta love it. This guy doesn’t even think about getting tired even at the pace that he competes at. Never underestimate a senior on a mission.

More so than any other wrestler for Iowa I was impressed with Caleb Rathjen at 149 who placed second to Murin. Rathjen defeated Antony Echmendia 4-3 in the semifinals. What energy he brings to a match. That match was Iowa Wrestling. A healthy Caleb Rathjen has found a home at 149 in the Black and Gold.

Patrick Kennedy looked solid in winning the title at 165. He was sluggish on the second day of competition but no cause of concern for me. I see Kennedy on the awards stand on Saturday night of Nationals.

Abe Assad was pushed in winning the title at 184 with an OT win in the finals. Assad did not look to be 100% but found a way to win. I do not believe Assad would have won that match with that exact type of scenario a year ago. That is knowing how to win. That will serve him well at Nationals should the same situations occur. 

Iowa wrestlers placed 1,2, and 3 at 197 with Jacob Warner winning the title. I was impressed with Kolby Franklin defeating teammate Zach Glazier in the semifinals. Glazier then defeated Wyatt Volker of UNI 12-3 for third place in what may have been the most impressive win for a Hawkeye for the entire tournament. Warner will be there at money time for Nationals.

Tony Cassioppi is making it look easy at Hwt. Four first period pins was all it took for him to win it at Hwt. Big Cass, like Murin, may be a senior on a mission this year.

A few comments that Tom Brands had in an interview released by Iowa Wrestling on Twitter after the tournament.

“We’ver got Illinois eight days from now. We have to evaluate this. We have to move forward.

I know one thing. We’ve got to stay healthy. That’s where we’re at. We’ve got to stay healthy.

The thing I like about this tournament or format is that it is a two day tournament. And it’s the same format as Big Tens and the first two days of the National Tournament. And that’s big. Two hour weigh-ins so on and so forth. 

We’re building everybody. Even our young guys that as freshmen experience this.”

Give me a healthy Iowa Wrestling team in Tulsa at the National Tournament and we as Hawkeye fans are in for a hell of an entertaining tournament.

Iowa will compete next at home in sold out legendary Carver-Hawkeye Arena against #28 Illinois on Friday, January 6 at 7 PM for Fan Appreciation Day.

Soldier Salute results

125

Champ. Round 1 – Spencer Lee (Iowa) 4-0 won by fall over Damion Ryan (Bellarmine) 1-2 (Fall 0:54)

Quarterfinal – Spencer Lee (Iowa) 4-0 won by tech fall over Charlie Farmer (Army West Point) 10-4 (TF-1.5 4:28 (19-1))

Semifinal – Spencer Lee (Iowa) 4-0 won by major decision over Jore Volk (Wyoming) 11-6 (MD 15-5)

1st Place Match – Spencer Lee (Iowa) 4-0 won by fall over Drake Ayala (Iowa) 3-1 (Fall 1:24)

133

Champ. Round 1 – Cullan Schriever (Iowa) 4-0 won by decision over Derrick Cardinal (South Dakota State) 2-6 (Dec 9-2)

Quarterfinal – Cullan Schriever (Iowa) 4-0 won by decision over Rich Treanor (Army West Point) 13-9 (Dec 8-4)

Semifinal – Cullan Schriever (Iowa) 4-0 won by decision over Ryan Franco (Army West Point) 9-7 (Dec 8-2)

1st Place Match – Cullan Schriever (Iowa) 4-0 won by decision over Angelo Rini (Columbia) 7-6 (Dec 4-2)

141

Champ. Round 1 – Real Woods (Iowa) 4-0 received a bye () (Bye)

Champ. Round 2 – Real Woods (Iowa) 4-0 won by tech fall over Shane Percelay (Army West Point) 3-2 (TF-1.5 3:48 (16-0))

Quarterfinal – Real Woods (Iowa) 4-0 won by tech fall over Connor Thorpe (Northern Iowa) 8-7 (TF-1.5 3:25 (17-1))

Semifinal – Real Woods (Iowa) 4-0 won by major decision over Caleb Gross (South Dakota State) 9-5 (MD 12-1)

1st Place Match – Real Woods (Iowa) 4-0 won by fall over Julian Sanchez (Army West Point) 9-5 (Fall 2:43)

149

Champ. Round 1 – Max Murin (Iowa) 5-0 won by fall over Ryan Vigil (VMI) 8-9 (Fall 2:31)

Champ. Round 2 – Max Murin (Iowa) 5-0 won by fall over Adam Allard (Northern Iowa) 9-8 (Fall 2:59)

Quarterfinal – Max Murin (Iowa) 5-0 won by tech fall over Alek Martin (South Dakota State) 9-7 (TF-1.5 5:19 (20-4))

Semifinal – Max Murin (Iowa) 5-0 won by decision over Joel Jesuroga (Iowa) 2-3 (Dec 8-3)

1st Place Match – Max Murin (Iowa) 5-0 won by decision over Caleb Rathjen (Iowa) 3-1 (Dec 7-4)

165

Champ. Round 1 – Patrick Kennedy (Iowa) 4-0 won by fall over Raheem Rahamatulla (Unattached) 0-2 (Fall 1:19)

Quarterfinal – Patrick Kennedy (Iowa) 4-0 won by fall over Cole Nance (Bellarmine) 1-2 (Fall 0:30)

Semifinal – Patrick Kennedy (Iowa) 4-0 won by decision over Cole Moody (Wyoming) 12-6 (Dec 9-6)

1st Place Match – Patrick Kennedy (Iowa) 4-0 won by decision over Jack Thomsen (South Dakota State) 12-4 (Dec 10-5)

184

Champ. Round 1 – Abe Assad (Iowa) 4-0 won by major decision over Guillermo Escobedo (Wyoming) 9-9 (MD 14-4)

Quarterfinal – Abe Assad (Iowa) 4-0 won by fall over Micah Dicarlo (The Citadel) 6-9 (Fall 1:29)

Semifinal – Abe Assad (Iowa) 4-0 won by decision over Roman Rogotzke (South Dakota State) 8-7 (Dec 9-6)

1st Place Match – Abe Assad (Iowa) 4-0 won in sudden victory – 1 over Bennett Berge (South Dakota State) 8-4 (SV-1 6-4)

197

Champ. Round 1 – Jacob Warner (Iowa) 4-0 received a bye () (Bye)

Champ. Round 2 – Jacob Warner (Iowa) 4-0 won by fall over Tyce Raddon (Wyoming) 7-7 (Fall 1:15)

Quarterfinal – Jacob Warner (Iowa) 4-0 won by tech fall over Adam Ahrendsen (Northern Iowa) 7-9 (TF-1.5 5:07 (17-2))

Semifinal – Jacob Warner (Iowa) 4-0 won by decision over Wyatt Voelker (Northern Iowa) 14-2 (Dec 4-1)

1st Place Match – Jacob Warner (Iowa) 4-0 won by major decision over Kolby Franklin (Iowa) 3-1 (MD 10-2)

Hwt

Champ. Round 1 – Tony Cassioppi (Iowa) 4-0 received a bye () (Bye)

Champ. Round 2 – Tony Cassioppi (Iowa) 4-0 won by fall over Ben Stemmet (The Citadel) 3-7 (Fall 1:58)

Quarterfinal – Tony Cassioppi (Iowa) 4-0 won by fall over Brooks Empey (Wisconsin) 2-4 (Fall 1:12)

Semifinal – Tony Cassioppi (Iowa) 4-0 won by fall over Luke Rasmussen (South Dakota State) 10-6 (Fall 2:17)

1st Place Match – Tony Cassioppi (Iowa) 4-0 won by fall over Ryan Catka (Navy) 3-1 (Fall 2:11)

It is great to be an Iowa Wrestling fan.

Go Hawks!

There were a few changes in the most recent InterMat rankings for the Hawks. It is still Penn State-Iowa for 1-2 in both the Tournament and Dual rankings. Penn State went up one team point and Iowa went down one point. It is now Penn State 103.5 and Iowa 76 followed by Missouri at 66 and Cornell at 63.5.

We have new teams at 3-4 in the Dual Meet rankings. Arizona State is now #3 and Cornell at #4. 

There were only three changes for Iowa wrestlers in the rankings. Cobe Siebrecht went from 21 to 19 and Nelson Brands 17 to 16. Jacob Warner dropped from 6 to 7. 

The remaining seven weights all stayed the same in the rankings.

Iowa will compete next at the Soldier Salute in Coralville on Thursday and Friday, December 29-30. The next dual meet will be at home in sold out legendary Carver-Hawkeye Arena against #28 Illinois on Friday, January 6 at 7 PM for Fan Appreciation Day.

December 22 InterMat Rankings

125 Spencer Lee – #1

133 Brody Teske – #14

141 Real Woods – #2

149 Max Murin – #6

157 Cobe Siebrecht – #19

165 Patrick Kennedy – #13

174 Nelson Brands – #16

184 Abe Assad – #8

197 Jacob Warner – #7

Hwt Tony Cassioppi – #3

Tournament

1. Penn State – 103.5
2. Iowa – 76
3. Missouri- 66
4. Cornell – 63.5

Dual Meet

1. Penn State
2. Iowa
3. Arizona State
4. Michigan

Full rankings: https://intermatwrestle.com/rankings/college

It is great to be an Iowa Wrestling fan.

Go Hawks!

The University of Iowa Women’s Wrestling program released a list of wrestlers who will be competing at the Soldier Salute as unattached. The competition will be on Thursday and Friday, December 29-30 at Xtream Arena in Coralville, Iowa. The new program will begin competition next year for the 2023-2024 season.

This will be the first time for a lot of Iowa Wrestling fans to see our new program in competition. The Iowa lineup for this tournament is absolutely loaded with talent. Felicity Taylor represented Team USA in the World Cup a few weeks ago. 

This is also a return to competition for elite recruit Kylie Welker. Welker was the #1 overall recruit in the country for the Class of 2022. She has not competed for over a year due to an injury.

BTN+ will provide a livestream for the Soldiers Salute competition on their premium service.

For more information including teams that will be participating in Soldier Salute:

https://soldiersaluteia.com/

Unattached

Sterling Dias (101)

Emilie Gonzalez (101)

Ava Bayless (109)

Brianna Gonzalez (109)

Felicity Taylor (116)

Nanea Estrella (136)

Reese Larramendy (143)

Ella Schmit (143)

Bella Mir (155)

Kylie Welker (170)

Schedule for the Soldier Salute in Xtream Arena in Coralville, Iowa

Thursday, December 29

Session One  10AM-2PM

Session Two  5PM-9PM

Friday, December 30

Session Three  Noon-4 PM

Session Four (Finals)  6PM-8:30 PM

*****All times listed are CST

It is great to be an Iowa Wrestling fan.

Go Hawks!

The University of Iowa released a list of wrestlers who will be competing at Soldier Salute as attached and unattached. The competition will be on Thursday and Friday, December 29-30 at Xtream Arena in Coralville, Iowa.

A majority of the team will be competing including eight starters. Spencer Lee is on the attached list as well as starters Cullan Schriever, Real Woods, Max Murin, Patrick Kennedy, Abe Assad, Jacob Warner, and Tony Cassioppi. 

There is also a list of thirteen Hawks competing unattached led by Drake Ayala at 125.

BTN+ will provide a livestream for Soldier Salute competition on their premium service.

For more information including teams that will be participating in Soldier Salute:

https://soldiersaluteia.com/

Attached

Spencer Lee (125)

Charles Matthews (125)

Cullan Schriever (133)

Jesse Ybarra (133)

Real Woods (141)

Drew Bennett (141)

Max Murin (149)

Caleb Rathjen (149)

Leif Schroeder (149)

Patrick Kennedy (165)

Joe Kelly (165)

Aiden Riggins (165)

Abe Assad (184)

Jacob Warner (197)

Zach Glazier (197)

Tony Cassioppi (Hwt)

Unattached

Drake Ayala (125)

Jace Rhodes (133)

Joel Jesuroga (149)

Cade Siebrecht (149)

Carson Martinson (165)

Drake Rhodes (165)

Brennan Swafford (174)

Mickey Griffith (184)

Aiden McCain (184)

Kolby Franklin (197)

Easton Fleshman (Hwt)

Bradley Hill (Hwt)

Gage Marty (Hwt)

Schedule for the Soldier Salute in Xtream Arena in Coralville, Iowa

Thursday, December 29

Session One  10AM-2PM

Session Two  5PM-9PM

Friday, December 30

Session Three  Noon-4 PM

Session Four (Finals)  6PM-8:30 PM

*****Times listed are CST

It is great to be an Iowa Wrestling fan.

Go Hawks!

The Hawkeye Wrestling Club will hold a Social on Thursday and Friday, December 29-30 between rounds of the Soldier Salute. The Social will take place at 30 Hop at 900 E 2nd Ave in Coralville. 30 Hop is a short walk from Xtreame Arena where the wrestling will be taking place.

The HWC Social will provide a great opportunity for wrestling fans to talk wrestling with members of the HWC and other wrestling fans.

Members of the University of Iowa Men’s and Women’s Wrestling programs will be competing in the Soldier Salute.

For more information including teams that will be participating in Soldier Salute:

https://soldiersaluteia.com/

Schedule for the Soldier Salute in Xtream Arena in Coralville, Iowa

Thursday, December 29

Session One  10AM-2PM

HWC Social following Session 1

Session Two  5PM-9PM

Friday, December 30

Session Three  Noon-4 PM

HWC Social following Session Three

Session Four (Finals)  6PM-8:30 PM

It is great to be an Iowa Wrestling fan.

Go Hawks!

Tony Cassioppi is currently ranked #3 at Hwt. I am impressed with the quality and quantity of the Hwt division this year. The Big Ten is always tough and this year is not different with the #1,2,3, and 5 ranked wrestlers in the country.

Cassioppi leads the team with five pins with his 7-0 record that also includes a major decision. All five pins were in the first period. In the remaining nine dual meets Cassioppi will face six ranked opponents. The most notable will be #1 Kerkvliet (PSU), #2 Paris (Michigan), and #5 Davison (Northwestern).

Big Tens will be a battle at this weight and will have a major impact on seedings at Nationals.

Ending a session at Nationals with big points from Cassioppi will be crucial in the team race where every single point will count. Bonus points from Cassioppi in the first two rounds would be huge for Iowa in the team race.

Cassioppi has the potential to beat every Hwt wrestler in the country. I look forward to seeing how this weight plays out the rest of the season.

Results at Hwt

285 – #4 Tony Cassioppi (UI) pinned Christopher Ireland (CBU), 2:13

285 – #4 Tony Cassioppi (UI) pinned Kade Carlson (ARMY) 1:26

285 – #4 Tony Cassioppi (UI) pins Marc Berisha (SH), 1:28

285 – #4 Tony Cassioppi (UI) pinned Greg Hodulick (UB), 0:53

285 – #4 Tony Cassioppi (UI) major dec. #15 Ben Goldin (Penn), 9-0

285 – #4 Tony Cassioppi (UI) dec. #9 Sam Schuyler (ISU), 9-2

285 – #3 Tony Cassioppi (UI) pinned Logan Andrew (UTC), 1:15

*NWCA All-Star Classic  (Nov 22) Greg Kerkvliet PSU) dec over Tony Cassioppi (UI) 8-5

Upcoming ranked opponents at Hwt (InterMat Rankings) for #3 Tony Cassioppi

Illinois  Jan 6

at Purdue  Jan 8

#5 Lucas Davison Northwestern  Jan 13

Nebraska  Jan 20

#11 Trent Hillger at Wisconsin  Jan 22

#1 Greg Kerkvliet at Penn State  Jan 27

#30 Garrett Joles at Minnesota  Feb 3

#2 Mason Paris Michigan  Feb 10

#24 Konner Daucet Oklahoma State  Feb 19

It is great to be an Iowa Wrestling fan.

Go Hawks!

Tony Cassioppi is currently ranked #3 at Hwt. I am impressed with the quality and quantity of the Hwt division this year. The Big Ten is always tough and this year is not different with the #1,2,3, and 5 ranked wrestlers in the country.

Cassioppi leads the team with five pins with his 7-0 record that also includes a major decision. All five pins were in the first period. In the remaining nine dual meets Cassioppi will face six ranked opponents. The most notable will be #1 Kerkvliet (PSU), #2 Paris (Michigan), and #5 Davison (Northwestern).

Big Tens will be a battle at this weight and will have a major impact on seedings at Nationals.

Ending a session at Nationals with big points from Cassioppi will be crucial in the team race where every single point will count. Bonus points from Cassioppi in the first two rounds would be huge for Iowa in the team race.

Cassioppi has the potential to beat every Hwt wrestler in the country. I look forward to seeing how this weight plays out the rest of the season.

Results at Hwt

285 – #4 Tony Cassioppi (UI) pinned Christopher Ireland (CBU), 2:13

285 – #4 Tony Cassioppi (UI) pinned Kade Carlson (ARMY) 1:26

285 – #4 Tony Cassioppi (UI) pins Marc Berisha (SH), 1:28

285 – #4 Tony Cassioppi (UI) pinned Greg Hodulick (UB), 0:53

285 – #4 Tony Cassioppi (UI) major dec. #15 Ben Goldin (Penn), 9-0

285 – #4 Tony Cassioppi (UI) dec. #9 Sam Schuyler (ISU), 9-2

285 – #3 Tony Cassioppi (UI) pinned Logan Andrew (UTC), 1:15

*NWCA All-Star Classic  (Nov 22) Greg Kerkvliet PSU) dec over Tony Cassioppi (UI) 8-5

Upcoming ranked opponents at Hwt (InterMat Rankings) for #3 Tony Cassioppi

Illinois  Jan 6

at Purdue  Jan 8

#5 Lucas Davison Northwestern  Jan 13

Nebraska  Jan 20

#11 Trent Hillger at Wisconsin  Jan 22

#1 Greg Kerkvliet at Penn State  Jan 27

#30 Garrett Joles at Minnesota  Feb 3

#2 Mason Paris Michigan  Feb 10

#24 Konner Daucet Oklahoma State  Feb 19

It is great to be an Iowa Wrestling fan.

Go Hawks!

Jacob Warner is in his final season for the Hawks at 197. Warner has a 5-1 record with one pin, one tech fall, and two major decisions. After starting the season ranked #2 Warner is currently ranked #7. 

For the remaining nine dual meets Warner will face six ranked wrestlers. The biggest match will be a rematch of the 197 lbs. NCAA Finals last year against Max Dean of Penn State. Should the seeds allow it I look for Warner and Dean to face off in the NCAA Finals again this year.

I have always been high on Warner since he was a junior in high school and this is the last go for him as an Iowa Hawkeye. He has all of the tools, skill set, physicality, and experience to win it all. I will admit that regular season losses by Warner are not a concern to me. At all. Actually I predicted it. Come tournament time I look for Warner to take it up another notch or three and be there contending for the title.

As with every weight on the Iowa team every single point at 197 is important in the team race. A huge NCAA National Tournament out of Warner could make the difference in the team race. 

I look for Jacob Warner to end his Hawkeye career on top. 

Results at 197

#2 Jacob Warner (UI) pinned Elijah Sobas (CBU) 0:38

#2 Jacob Warner (UI) major dec. Kyle Swartz (ARMY), 20-7

Zach Glazier (UI) tech. fall Nick Copley (SH), 18-3

#2 Jacob Warner (UI) tech. fall Sam Mitchell (UB), 26-8

#2 Jacob Warner (UI) dec. #27 Cole Urbas (Penn), 11-10

#6 Yonger Bastida (ISU) dec. #2 Jacob Warner, 4-3

#6 Jacob Warner (UI) major dec. Jake Boyd (UTC), 10-1

*NWCA All-Star Classic  (Nov 22)  Rocky Elam (MO) dec over Jacob Warner (UI) 8-6 SV1

Upcoming ranked opponents at 197 (InterMat Rankings) for #7 Jacob Warner

#13 Zac Braunagel Illinois  Jan 6

at Purdue  Jan 8

Northwestern  Jan 13

#23 Silas Allred Nebraska  Jan 20

#12 Braxton Amos at Wisconsin  Jan 22

#5 Max Dean at Penn State  Jan 27

#29 Michial Foy at Minnesota  Feb 3

Michigan  Feb 10

#27 Luke Surber Oklahoma State  Feb 19

It is great to be an Iowa Wrestling fan.

Go Hawks!