The name of Austin DeSanto rose to immediate national fame when he defeated Spencer Lee in the Pennsylvania 126 lbs. state finals in 2017. He transferred to Iowa and formed a great 1-2 duo of Lee-DeSanto to start a dual meet or tournament. DeSanto became a crowd favorite for exciting high paced matches that resulted in points being scored and always a lot of action. 

DeSanto of Exeter, Pennsylvania started his career at Drexel where he was an NCAA Qualifier as a true freshman at 133 in 2018. He did not redshirt at Drexel and immediately stepped into the starting lineup when he transferred to Iowa and placed fifth in 2019. He was seeded sixth in 2020 when the NCAA’s were canceled. He placed third at the 2021 and 2022 NCAA National Tournament. 

This past season DeSanto was 21-4 with a team leading eleven tech falls to go along with two major decisions. I will always believe that the Top 3 at 133 that DeSanto was a part of the last two years is one of the toughest weights in recent memory. That Top 3 will hold to the test of time for being elite.

In my 39 years of going into the Iowa Wrestling room to watch practice I can honestly say that Austin DeSanto had as good of conditioning that I have ever seen from an Iowa wrestler. That is saying a lot. Incredible energy, endurance, intensity, and consistency.

Best of luck to you Austin DeSanto and thank you for how you represented Iowa Wrestling and provided great entertainment for Iowa Wrestling fans.

2018 – NCAA National Tournament Qualifier (Drexel)

2019 – 5th at NCAA National Tournament

2020 – 5th seed at NCAA National Tournament that was canceled, named All American

2021 – 3rd at NCAA National Tournament

2022 – 3rd at NCAA National Tournament

Career record: 123-27

It is great to be an Iowa Wrestling fan.

Go Hawks!  

The Big Ten just announced that 14 members of the Iowa Wrestling team were named to the 2022 Winter Academic All-Big Ten Team. 

From BigTen.org:

To be eligible for Academic All-Big Ten selection, students must be on a varsity team (as verified by being on the official squad list), have been enrolled full time at the institution for a minimum of 12 months and carry a cumulative grade-point average of 3.0 or higher.

Cullan Schriever was one of only 30 athletes out of 1,114 that were highlighted for having a 4.0 GPA.

Anthony Cassioppi – Sport and Recreation Management 

Aaron Costello – Sport and Recreation Management 

Zach Glazier – Sport and Recreation Management 

Joe Kelly – Computer Science 

Michael Kemerer – Finance 

Patrick Kennedy – Sport and Recreation Management 

Alex Marinelli – Sport and Recreation Management 

Charles Matthews – Business 

Max Murin – Sport and Recreation Management 

Cullan Schriever – Sport and Recreation Management 

Leif Schroeder – History 

Cobie Siebrecht – Enterprise Leadership 

Jacob Warner – Business Analytics 

Kaleb Young – Civil and Environmental Engineering, Human Physiology

Great job. That is getting it done on the mat and in the classroom.

It is great to be an Iowa Wrestling fan.

Go Hawks!  

Kaleb Young of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania was in the Recruiting Class of 2016. Young was the first from the Young Guns Wrestling Club to commit to the Hawks. Wrestlers from Young Guns were a huge part of Iowa winning the 2021 national team title. After a redshirt season Young competed at 165 and 174 in 2018. He competed at 157 for the rest of his career. As a sophomore in 2019 Young placed fifth in the country. 

In 2020 Young was seeded eighth when the NCAA Tournament was canceled. Last season Young placed seventh. He was an NCAA National Tournament Qualifier this season. His two losses were to the #8 and #1 seeded wrestlers in what turned out to be a very tough draw at 157.

Looking back, I am able to better appreciate what Young did as a freshman for the team.  As a career wrestler at 157 he went up one and two weights to compete on the varsity level at Iowa in the rugged Big Ten. Again, as a freshman. That is a team player.

I will remember Kaleb Young for his consistency. Young never had a bad effort day. You could always count on a top effort in competition and in the practice room every single day.

Yet another graduating senior with academic awards every single year he was eligible to receive them. 5 time Academic All Big Ten and 3 time NWCA Scholar Athlete.

Best of luck to Kaleb Young and thank you for how you represented Iowa Wrestling in your career on the mat, in the room, as a teammate, and in the classroom.

2017 – Redshirted

2018 – Competed at 165/174

2019 – 5th at Nationals (157)

2020 – #8 seed at Nationals that were canceled, named All American (157)

2021 – 7th at Nationals (157)

2022 – NCAA National Tournament Qualifier (157)

Career record: 77-31

5 time Academic All Big Ten

3 time NWCA Scholar Athlete (This season has yet to be announced)

It is great to be an Iowa Wrestling fan.

Go Hawks!  

Alex Marinelli showed up on campus with an impressive wrestling resume and a great nickname. “Bull” will be an enduring nickname in Iowa Wrestling history. Bull has been our 165 lbs. wrestler in the Iowa Wrestling lineup since late 2017. Few Iowa Wrestlers man a weight for their entire career. 

Alex Marinelli of Miamisburg (St. Paris Graham HS), Ohio was the top recruit in the Recruiting Class of 2016. After a redshirt Marinelli placed sixth at 165 at the NCAA’s. As a sophomore he won a Big Ten title and placed seventh at Nationals. In 2020 Marinelli was a Big Ten Champion and seeded #1 at 165 when the NCAA’s were canceled. Last season Marinelli won another Big Ten title and did not place at Nationals. This season Marinelli won his fourth Big Ten title and placed fifth at Nationals.

It is impossible not to look at 2020 when Marinelli was hot off a Big Ten title and the #1 seed at 165 for Nationals only to have it canceled. An injury was a major factor in Marinelli not placing last year. Even with the tough breaks Marinelli always entertained with his constant attack and looking for the big move for a fall.

Bull is another reason to be an Iowa Wrestling fan. This guy went hard all of the time in competition and in the practice room. He only had one gear and that was all out. Add in academic accolades and a fan favorite and you could not ask for more. Bull will be missed.

Best of luck to you Alex “Bull” Marinelli and thank you for how you represented Iowa Wrestling in your career on the mat, in the practice room, as a teammate, and in the classroom.

2017 – Redshirted

2018 – 6th in NCAA

2019 – 7th in NCAA

2020 – #1 seed at Nationals that were canceled, named All American

2021 – NCAA National Tournament Qualifier

2022 – 5th in NCAA 

Career record: 99-13

4-time Big Ten Champion (2019-2022)

5 time Academic All Big Ten

2 time NWCA Scholar Athlete (This season has yet to be announced)

Big Ten Sportsmanship Award

Iowa’s Big Ten Sportsmanship Award

It is great to be an Iowa Wrestling fan.

Go Hawks!  

Michael Kemerer is a name that Iowa Wrestling fans will always remember. Definitely a fan favorite for his intense competition on the mat, the way he carried himself off the mat, and how he battled through adversity. 

Kemerer is from Murrysville, Pennsylvania (Franklin Regional HS) and was the star of the Recruiting Class of 2015. He was the first real big elite recruit to arrive on campus from Pennsylvania and led the way for the Young Guns Wrestling Club to Iowa City connection. Kemerer was the first of elite recruits that would lead to the 2021 NCAA National title for the Hawks.

After a redshirt season Kemerer placed third at 157 as a freshman and fourth as a sophomore. He then missed 2019 due to injury. Kemerer returned to the lineup in 2020 and was seeded #2 at 174 when the NCAA National Tournament was canceled. Last season Kemerer won a Big Ten title and placed second in the country. This season Kemerer placed fourth in the country.

To deal with a season ending injury, battle his way back and be in the lineup to challenge for a national title only to have the 2020 NCAA’s canceled is a lot of adversity. Kemerer battled injuries this entire season as well. In spite of all of these setbacks Kemerer would go out and compete with so much heart and toughness that he stood out even by Iowa Wrestling standards.

The 11-6 win over Mark Hall in the Penn State meet in Carver-Hawkeye Arena in 2020 is one of the best matches in my life as an Iowa Wrestling fan. The crowd was deafening as Kemerer left the mat after the match.

Even as great as that match was the best Michael Kemerer moment for me was this past weekend. With obvious injuries that limited his ability to execute moves, Kemerer made a way to defeat three highly ranked opponents in a row. After a close loss in the Quarterfinals, Kemerer won his Blood Round of 12 match over #9 O’Malley of Drexel, 5-2. 

The next round Kemerer defeated #9 Labriola (Nebraska) 3-1 SV1 and then #3 Massa (Michigan) 6-4 SV1. Getting those hard fought wins with two of them in overtime while injured and limited showed the type of heart that Michael Kemerer has. Finishing fourth in that tough of a weight class while being hindered by injuries is something you just don’t forget.

Academic All Big Ten, Big Ten Sportsmanship Award winner, five-time All American, Michael Kemerer has left his mark in the long tradition of Iowa Wrestling. If I could buy stocks in the future success of Michael Kemerer in the business world I would take all that I could get. 

Best of luck to you Michael Kemerer and thank you for representing Iowa Wrestling so well on and off the mat.

2016 – Redshirted

2017 – 3rd in NCAA (157)

2018 – 4th in NCAA (157)

2019 – Out due to injury

2020 – #2 seed at Nationals that were canceled, named All American (174)

2021 – NCAA Runner Up (174)

2022 – 4th in NCAA (174)

Career record: 101-12

6 time Academic All Big Ten

Dean’s List

2 time NWCA Scholar Athlete

Big Ten Sportsmanship Award

It is great to be an Iowa Wrestling fan.

Go Hawks!  

I always consider the Monday following the NCAA National Tournament to be the first day of the next season. Let’s take a look at the Iowa Wrestling lineup for the 2022-2023 season.

125 – Spencer Lee will hopefully be back next season. Lee had season ending surgery in early January. I am hoping for a full and quick recovery. Lee will be looking to become the first in Iowa Wrestling history to win four NCAA titles to cap off his amazing career. Lee’s return will be the biggest story in college wrestling leading into next season. I can only speculate that Drake Ayala will redshirt.

133 – Cullan Schriever looks to be the front runner and will be a redshirt sophomore next season. Schriever was a three-time state champion out of Mason City, Iowa. Schriever competed for Sebolt Wrestling Academy where he won a Cadet and Junior Freestyle national title in Fargo. Schriever was 15-5 this season with four of those losses against Top 10 ranked opponents.

141 – Wyatt Henson is all set to take over at 141. Henson, from Waynesburg, Pennsylvania, will be a redshirt freshman next year. He had a good true freshman season by placing first at the Luther, Lindenwood, and Harold Nichols Open at 141 while compiling a 15-1 record. Henson’s only loss on the season was at the Southern Scuffle where he placed fifth. Henson may be stepping into the lineup next season at a weight that will wide open due to graduating seniors.

149 – Max Murin will be back for his senior year. Murin lost in the Blood Round of 12 at Nationals. It is impossible for me to not be a fan of this guy because of the way that he fights and competes so hard. I am hoping a fully healthy Max Murin will be ready to make a run at the top next year. Should Murin improve even half as much this coming year as he just did this season then contending for the national title is within reach. No way I put limitations on someone with that type of work ethic and fight.

157 – Caleb Rathjen/Cobe Siebrecht/Bretli Reyna/Aiden Riggins will compete for the starting spot. Rathjen, Siebrecht, and Reyna competed at 149 this season. I can only speculate that they will move up to replace long time starter Kaleb Young at 157. Rathjen, from Ankeny, Iowa was 4-1 this season that did not start until the first of the year due to injury. Rathjen did not place at the Southern Scuffle and won the Last Chance Open in Ames last month with three solid wins against wrestlers from Minnesota. Siebrecht, from my hometown of Lisbon, Iowa, had an impressive season with a 5-2 record. His only losses were to the #22 and #3 ranked wrestler in the country. He won the Luther Open and looked good when he wrestled varsity at 149 including a first period tech fall win over Princeton. 

Reyna, from Homestead, Florida, was 6-2 this season at 149 as a redshirt freshman. Aiden Riggins of Waverly-Shell Rock, Iowa will be a true freshman next season. Riggins has been ranked #1 at 160 lbs. for most of the high school season and may be ready to challenge for the starting spot at 157. True freshman competing right away has become more and more popular over the last five years as more recruits come out of high school ready to go. Riggins is also Sebolt trained.

I expect some intense action in the Iowa Wrestling room starting next August or even sooner as these four young wrestlers work to establish themself as the man to beat for the varsity spot at 157 for the Iowa Hawkeyes.

165 – Patrick Kennedy will be the most anticipated newcomer to the varsity lineup next season. He was a top recruit in the Class of 2020 from Kasson-Mantorville, Minnesota. With a 17-2 record this season Kennedy recorded three pins and six tech falls. After placing second to teammate Alex Marinelli at the Luther Open, Kennedy won titles at the UNI and Harold Nichols Open, placed sixth at the Southern Scuffle and then won the Last Chance Open. 165 is loaded nationally with top young wrestlers the same age or even younger than Kennedy so we will have to wait and see how he fits into the national picture. Pretty sure Iowa is confident in what Kennedy can do right away in his first year in the lineup.

174 – Nelson Brands will return to the starting lineup after posting a 5-1 record this season. Brands has been out this calendar year due to injury but I am expecting that a healthy Nelson Brands will have a real solid season next year at 174.

184 – Abe Asssad will be back as a junior and I look for him to be much improved. Assad was out with injuries last season and just ended his full full year in the lineup by going 1-2 at the NCAA National Championships. I will keep saying that this guy has all of the tools to be an elite wrestler.

197 – Jacob Warner will be back for his senior year and in a new role as a leader for the team. Warner is coming off of an NCAA runner-up finish and I look for him to get better in the off season. Even though he was so close to winning a national title I still believe Warner has another level and gear in him. The momentum of this year’s finish should be a boost not only to Warner, but to the entire program. Just what you want from a leader.

Hwt – Tony Cassioppi was slowed by injuries when he just placed seventh at nationals. Big Cass put the time in during the off season last year to transform his body and performance. It will be interesting to see what next year will bring. You just gotta believe that winning it all next season is a realistic goal for Cassioppi.

The Transfer Portal is a new and powerful influence on college wrestling. It will be interesting to see if Iowa goes that route or if wrestlers out there decide that they want to be an Iowa Hawkeye.

As I have said several times over the last season the Iowa Wrestling room is loaded with talent and more is on the way with ten incoming freshmen this August. I have already labeled the Class of 2023 as the best Junior class in Iowa Wrestling recruiting history. One more big recruit that I have in mind and the Class of 2023 will be the best recruiting class in the history of Iowa Wrestling. Think about that for a bit.

Ground wil be broke this summer for “The greatest wrestling training facility…in the world.” That will crate an added buzz as fans roll into town next year on a football Saturday. I cannot wait. Add in the return of Spencer Lee with a talented team and I expect preseason ticket sales to be impressive yet again.

Iowa Wrestling is my entertainment. This is day one of a new year and I will continue to be entertained. I do not have the skill set as a writer to put into words how much I respect, admire, and support the hard work the Iowa wrestlers do. Especially when you compare Iowa wrestlers to their peers in society. 

You can bet I will be here on this blog to keep you up to date on all things Iowa Wrestling. I will get everyone ready for the 2023 NCAA National Wrestling Championships that begin on March 16, 2023 in Tulsa, Oklahoma in the BOK Center at 11 AM CST. The Iowa Wrestling Nation will be ready. 

Let’s get ‘em in the middle.

It is great to be an Iowa Wrestling fan.

Go Hawks!  

The University of Iowa National I-Club will host events during the National Wrestling Championships March 17-19 in Detroit, Michigan. The I-Club parties will be held at the Tin Roof in Detroit (47 East Adams Ave) that is located less than a mile from Little Caesars Arena.

On Friday from 3-5 PM the I-Club will host a great event featuring former Iowa Hawkeye national champions: 

Chuck Yagla 

Jim Heffernan

Troy Steiner

Terry Steiner

Mark Ironside

Matt McDonough

This will be a great event between the Quarterfinals and Semifinals of Nationals.

2022 NCAA Wrestling Championships March 17-19

*All times list are CST

Session I: Thursday 11 AM  [ESPNU]

Session II: Thursday 6 PM  [ESPN2]

Quarterfinals: Friday 10 AM  [ESPNU]

Semifinals: Friday 7 PM  [ESPN]

Consolations: Saturday 10 AM  [ESPN2]

Finals: Saturday 6 PM  [ESPN]

It is great to be an Iowa Wrestling fan.

Go Hawks! 

The 2022 NCAA National Wrestling Tournament is near. As wrestling fans we will be entertained with exciting wrestling. It is time to break it down weight by weight on where the points will be scored. Every single point and half point counts.

There are seveal formulas that have been posted online recently. There are quite a few variables that are difficult to judge. With average points scored by placewinners in the past I will use the formula that was posted by Mendozza77 on Hawkeye Report.

Average points scored in past NCAA tourneys (includes placement, advancement and bonus)

1st = 23.5

2nd = 18.5

3rd = 16.5

4th = 14.5

5th = 12

6th = 10.5

7th = 8

8th = 7

Rd12 = 3

According to this formula

PSU = 127

Mich. = 114

Iowa = 96

NCAA National Tournament seeds for Iowa

125 Ayala – #13 (No points)  

133 DeSanto – #5 (12 points)

141 Eierman – #2 (18.5 points)

149 Murin – #8 (7 points)

157 Young – #9 (3 points)

165 Marinelli – #3 (16.5 points)

174 Kemerer – #5 (12 points)

184 Assad – #18 (No points)

197 Warner – #6 (10.5 poins)

Hwt Cassioppi – #3 (16.5 points)

With this formula Iowa is 31 points behind Penn State and 18 points behind Michigan. I am sure I am not the only Iowa Wrestling fan that is fired up about some of the seeds of our wrestles. The points are there to be had.

EVERY. POINT. COUNTS. 

Iowa won the 1978 NCAA National title by .5 over Iowa State, 94.5 – 94. ½ a point. Think about that. ½ a point. This was Gable’s second year as head coach and his first national team title. Also the first of nine national titles in a row for the Hawks. 

1978 NCAA National Wrestling Championships team scores:

1. Iowa  94.5
2. Iowa State  94
3. Oklahoma State  86.25
4. Wisconsin  77.25

The scoring system was different in that era with the ¼ point difference between a major and superior decision. They only placed the top six for All American status instead of eight and there was not a tech fall.

Iowa was the first team in NCAA history to win a national team title without a national champion. 

The 1978 All Americans:

Randy Lewis (2nd, 126)

Bruce Kinseth (2nd, 150)

Dan Glenn (3rd, 118)

Scott Trizzino (3rd, 142)

John Bowlsby (5th, HWT)

Mike DeAnna (6th, 167)

I will keep stating the following:

1. The level of competition this year is at possibly a record best in the history of the NCAA National Wrestling Tournament. We have wrestlers competing from eight recruiting classes due to Olympic redshirts, the Covid year, and rules granting an additional year of eligibility due to injury. This tournament is stacked at every weight. The word “Upset” is going to be used quite a bit in this tournament.
2. The tougher the competition, the better it is for Iowa to win the team title.

2022 NCAA Wrestling Championships March 17-19

*All times list are CST

Session I: Thursday 11 AM  [ESPNU]

Session II: Thursday 6 PM  [ESPN2]

Quarterfinals: Friday 10 AM  [ESPNU]

Semifinals: Friday 7 PM  [ESPN]

Consolations: Saturday 10 AM  [ESPN2]

Finals: Saturday 6 PM  [ESPN]

Let’s get ‘em in the middle.

It is great to be an Iowa Wrestling fan.

Go Hawks! 

Iowa Athletic Director Gary Barta announced that Tom Brands has received a contract extension through 2029. Iowa will be competing in the NCAA National Tournament this Thursday-Saturday in Detroit, Michigan as the defending NCAA National champions.

Plans have been announced to begin construction of what I called: “The greatest wrestling training facility…in the world.” Construction is to begin this summer. The recruits that Iowa has coming in for the Recruiting Class of 2022 and 2023 are outstanding. You can also add in record breaking ticket sales and support from the Iowa Wrestling Nation.

The present and future looks great for Iowa Wrestling with Tom Brands as our head coach.

From HawkeyeSports.com:

Brands is in his 16th season as Iowa’s head wrestling coach. His teams have won four NCAA and six Big Ten titles, and enter this week’s NCAA tournament as defending national champions.

“There is no better person to lead the Iowa Wrestling program than Tom Brands. His sustained success at the University of Iowa is unmatched,” said Barta. “Tom epitomizes the Win. Graduate. Do it Right. philosophy.  I could not be happier for Tom, his staff, student-athletes, and our fans.”

Brands became the eighth head coach in program history in 2006. He is a five-time Big Ten Coach of the Year and three-time National Coach of the Year. He has coached 13 NCAA individual champions, 89 All-Americans, 24 Big Ten champions and 142 academic All-Big Ten honorees.

Brands has a 250-24-1 (.911) overall and 120-11 (.916) Big Ten coaching record at Iowa. He has a 267-44-1 (.857) career mark and a 119-13 (.902) record at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

Iowa has led the nation in attendance every year since Brands’ first season in 2006-07. The Hawkeyes set a national dual average attendance record in 2021-22, averaging 14,905 fans at each of their six home dates and selling out season tickets for the first time in program history.

It is great to be an Iowa Wrestling fan.

Go Hawks!

When the Iowa Hawkeyes take to the mats for the NCAA Wrestling Championships on Thursday-Saturday it will be the final appearance as a Hawkeye for five seniors. Michael Kemerer, Alex Marinelli, Kaleb Young, Austin DeSanto, and Jaydin Eierman have definitely left their mark on Iowa Wrestling. 

Michael Kemerer of Murrysville, Pennsylvania (Franklin Regional) was the star recruit in the Recruiting Class of 2015. After a redshirt season Kemerer placed third at 157 as a freshman and fourth as a sophomore. He then missed 2019 due to injury. Kemerer returned to the lineup in 2020 and was seeded #2 at 174 when the NCAA National Tournament was canceled. Last season Kemerer won a Big Ten title and placed second in the country at 174. Kemerer enters Nationals this year as the #5 seed.

Alex Marinelli of Miamisburg (St. Paris Graham), Ohio was the top recruit in the Recruiting Class of 2016. After a redshirt, Marinelli placed sixth at 165 at the NCAA’s. As a sophomore he won a Big Ten title and placed seventh at Nationals. In 2020 Marinelli was a Big Ten Champion and seeded #1 at 165 when the NCAA’s were canceled. Last season Marinelli won another Big Ten title and did not place at Nationals. This season Marinelli won his fourth Big Ten title and is seeded #3 at 165 heading into the National Tournament

Kaleb Young of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania was in the Recruiting Class of 2016. Young was the first Iowa Wrestler from the Young Guns Wrestling Club to commit to the Hawks. After a redshirt season Young competed at 165 and 174 in 2018. As a sophomore in 2019 Young placed fifth in the country at 157. In 2020 Young was seeded eighth when the NCAA Tournament was canceled. Last season Young placed seventh. Young enters Nationals as the #9 seed at 157.

Austin DeSanto of Exeter, Pennsylvania started his career at Drexel where he was an NCAA Qualifier as a true freshman at 133 in 2018. DeSanto did not redshirt at Drexel and immediately stepped into the starting lineup when he arrived at Iowa and placed fifth in 2019. He was seeded sixth in 2020 when the NCAA’s were canceled. Last season DeSanto placed third. DeSanto is seeded fifth at 133 for the upcoming NCAA National Tournament.  

Jaydin Eierman of Columbia, Missouri (Father Tolton) transferred to Iowa from Missouri where he placed fifth (2017), fourth (2018), and third (2019) in the country at 141. After transferring to Iowa he did not compete in 2020. Last season for the Hawks Eierman was a Big Ten champion and placed second in the country. Heading into Nationals Eierman is the #2 seed at 141.

This is a great group of wrestlers that I wanted to highlight before they compete for the Iowa Hawkeyes for the last time. They were instrumental in Iowa winning the NCAA team title last season and are leading the way into Nationals this year.

Best of luck to this group of seniors at Nationals.

2022 NCAA Wrestling Championships March 17-19

*All times list are CST

Session I: Thursday 11 AM  [ESPNU]

Session II: Thursday 6 PM  [ESPN2]

Quarterfinals: Friday 10 AM  [ESPNU]

Semifinals: Friday 7 PM  [ESPN]

Consolations: Saturday 10 AM  [ESPN2]

Finals: Saturday 6 PM  [ESPN]

It is great to be an Iowa Wrestling fan.

Go Hawks!