Incoming Iowa Wrestling recruits will be competing this weekend as the regular season comes to an end. This is the time of year for conference tournaments followed by the postseason for the pursuit of a state title.

Harvey Ludington will be at the Shore Conference Tournament in Lakewood, NJ and Paolo Ciatto will be at the Westchester County Championships in Yonkers, NY on Saturday.

Leo DeLuca will be at a dual meet triangular at North Hunterdon, NJ.

Ty and Jarrel Miller will be at home competing in the St. Edward Quad.

Leister Bowling has a dual meet on Friday and Saturday.

As I have done for years I will post a blog on Friday for upcoming weekend competitions and a follow up blog with results on my “Recruits in action” series.

Recruiting Class of 2025

Leo DeLuca – Blair Academy(Morristown, New Jersey) 120 lbs. 

Sat Jan 25 – at Tri (North Hunterdon, NJ)

Paolo Ciatto – Iona Preparatory(New Rochelle, New York)  170 lbs.

Sat Jan 25 – at Westchester County Championships(Yonkers)

Leister Bowling – Longmont(Mead HS), Colorado  175 lbs.

Fri Jan 24 – Roosevelt

Sat Jan 25 – at Legacy

Ty Miller – North Olmsted(St. Ed’s HS), Ohio 175 lbs. 

Sat Jan 25 – St. Edward Quad

Jarrel Miller – North Olmsted(St. Ed’s HS), Ohio  190 lbs. 

Sat Jan 25 – St. Edward Quad

Harvey Ludington – Brick, New Jersey(Brick Memorial HS)  190 lbs. 

Fri/Sat Jan 24-25 – at Shore Conference Tournament(Lakewood)

Recruiting Class of 2026

Owen McMullen – Johnstown(Bishop McCort HS), Pennsylvania  

No competition scheduled.

Women’s Recruiting Class of 2025

Isabella Gonzales – Fresno(Clovis East HS), California  120 lbs. 

No competition scheduled.

Samantha Sachs – Glendora, California  130 lbs.  

No competition scheduled.

It is great to be an Iowa Wrestling fan.

Go Hawks!

The Hawkeye Wrestling Club will host a Pre-Match Social on Saturday, January 25 at Sports Column at 12 S Dubuque St in Iowa City from 10 AM- 1 PM.

The Hawks face #6 Ohio State at 1 PM in sold out legendary Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

The HWC Socials are free of charge and provide a great opportunity to meet HWC wrestlers, former Hawkeye greats and other Iowa Wrestling fans.

The HWC also has the Arctic Plunge immediately after the Iowa-Ohio State dual meet.

From HawkeyeWrestlingClub.com:

For the past two years we have been partnering with local bars and restaurants to provide our fans with Pre-Match Socials! Our goal is to create an atmosphere where our community can grow and enjoy Hawkeye Wrestling together. Our social events are open to the public and free of charge! Guests can win raffle prizes, meet Hawkeye legends, and enjoy drink specials Before the Whistle!

A full day of Iowa Wrestling:

HWC Social – 10AM – 1PM at Sports Column at 12 S Dubuque St in Iowa City.

The #2 Iowa Hawkeyes will face #6 Ohio State in sold out legendary Carver-Hawkeye Arena at 1 PM on Saturday.

#2 Iowa vs. #6 Ohio State

Saturday, January 25 at 1 PM

Carver-Hawkeye Arena

Live on BTN

Steven Grace and Mark Ironside call the action on AM 800 KXIC and audio streamed online at HawkeySports.com via YouTube.

2025 HWC Arctic Plunge

Saturday, January 25th

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

3:30 PM – Doors Open

4 PM – Jumpers Meeting

4:30 Costume Contest

5 PM – Jumpers lineup

5:15 PM – JUMP!

6 PM – Awards, Raffle, HWC Address

10 PM – Estimated time of completion

Pledges can be made and accepted as little as 30 minutes prior to the awards presentation on the night of the event.

For more information and to make a pledge:

https://boom.hawkeyewrestlingclub.com/campaign/2025-hwc-arctic-plunge/c637266

It is great to be an Iowa Wrestling fan.

Go Hawks!

Drake Ayala has been named as the Co-Big Ten Wrestler of the Week. Ayala shared the award with Ridge Lovett of Nebraska.

Ayala defeated #2 ranked Lucas Byrd of Illinois 4-2 in the dual meet last Friday.

Ayala, a junior from Ft. Dodge, Iowa, is ranked #3 at 133 in the rankings this week.

This is the second time this season that a Hawkeye has been named Big Ten Wrestler of the Week. Kyle Parco was named for this award on January 9.

For the season Ayala is 11-1 with five tech falls and two major decisions.

Last season Ayala was an NCAA National Runner-up at 125.

Iowa is back on the mat on Saturday for a huge Big Ten dual meet with Ohio State.

#2 Iowa vs. #6 Ohio State

Saturday, January 25 at 1 PM

Carver-Hawkeye Arena

Live on BTN

Steven Grace and Mark Ironside call the action on AM 800 KXIC and audio streamed online at HawkeySports.com via YouTube.

It is great to be an Iowa Wrestling fan.

Go Hawks!

The Iowa Women’s Wrestling team will be on the road at the Journeymen Wrestling College Duals in Albany, New York on Saturday, January 25.

The Hawks will face #12 Lock Haven, #15 Sacred Heart, #19 Elmira and #6 Presbyterian.

FloWrestling will provide full coverage on their premium service.

The Hawks are ranked #1 in the country with six wrestlers ranked #1.

Kylie Welker(#1-180) and Macey Kilty(#1-145) will not make the trip. Both are preparing to compete at the Zagreb Open in Croatia, the first Ranking Series of the year and Olympic cycle, on February 7-8.

Journeymen Wrestling College Duals

Albany, New York

11:15 AM – #1 Iowa vs. #12 Lock Haven

12:30 PM – #1 Iowa vs. #15 Sacred Heart

1:45 PM – #1 Iowa vs. #19 Elmira

3 PM – #1 Iowa vs. #6 Presbyterian

*Times listed are CST

Probable Lineup

103 – Rianne Murphy #1

103 – Sterling Dias #3

110 – Ava Bayless #2

110 – Emilie Gonzalez #5

117 – Brianna Gonzalez #1

124 – Cali Leng #7

131 – Emilie Frost #10

131 – Emmily Patneaud

138 – Nanea Estrella #3

138 – Cadence Diduch #6

145 – Reese Larramendy #2

145 – Ella Schmit

160 – Kennedy Blades #1

180 – Naomi Simon #6

207 – Alivia White #6

*January 16 NWCA NCAA Rankings

It is great to be an Iowa Wrestling fan.

Go Hawks!

USA Wrestling announced that Spencer Lee has been named Athlete of the Week presented by U.S. Air Force Special Warfare.

Lee won gold at 57 kg at the 51st annual Henri Deglane Grand Prix in Nice, France. Lee outscored his opponents 50-0 by going 5-0 with five tech falls in :38, :36, :25, :35, and :33. 

This was an impressive showing for Lee in his first competition since winning silver at the Olympics last summer.

Henri Deglane Grand Prix in Nice, France

Round 1: Spencer Lee(USA) TF over Ben Tarik(Morocco) 10-0 :38

Round 2: Spencer Lee(USA) TF over Cheynoux Gaspard(France) 10-0 :36

Round 3: Spencer Lee(USA) TF over Sayed Jamshidi (Switzerland) 10-0 :25

Semifinals: Spencer Lee(USA) TF over Guessepple Villaroel(Ecuador) 10-0 :35

Finals: Spencer Lee(USA) TF over Thomas Epp(Switzerland) 10-0 :33

FloWrestling announced “FloWrestling Night in America” for Wednesday, February 26. The main event will be a challenge match between 2024 Olympic 57 kg silver medalist Spencer Lee vs. 2024 60 kg world champion Masanosuke Ono of Japan.

The night of elite international wrestling will take place at Xtreme Arena in Coralville, Iowa. 

It was also announced that Austin DeSanto will face Seth Gross at 60kg.

I will keep you up to date with “FloWrestling Night in America” as more matches are announced.

It is great to be an Iowa Wrestling fan.

Go Hawks!

InterMat released updated rankings this morning. Iowa remained #2 in both the Tournament and Dual Meet Rankings.

It is Penn State-Iowa-Oklahoma State in both rankings for several weeks for the top three.

Ohio State moved up to #4 in the Dual Meet Rankings. The Buckeyes come to town for a 1 PM dual meet in legendary sold out Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Saturday.

Iowa has all ten wrestlers ranked in the top 33 which would be an NCAA Qualifier.

There are seven Hawks ranked in the top five that would be an All American this year.

Joey Cruz is up to #28 at 125 after two solid wins in Big Ten competition. Drake Ayala is #3 after a big win over at the time #2 Lucas Byrd of Illinois. I thought Ayala would be ranked higher than that.

Kyle Parco is now #2 at 149 after being #4 since the pre-season rankings.

Stephan Buchanan is now #1 at 197 after being #2 all season.

Patrick Kennedy(#5-174) and Gabe Arnold(#5-184) continue to steadily climb in the rankings.

The Iowa-Ohio State dual meet Saturday has the potential to shake up the rankings next week as we get into the heart of the Big Ten schedule.

InterMat Rankings – January 21, 2025

Dual Rankings 

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

Tournament Rankings

1. Penn State  139.5
2. Iowa  107
3. Oklahoma State  85.5
4. Nebraska  56

125 – Joey Cruz #28

133 – Drake Ayala #3

141 – Ryder Block #31

149 – Kyle Parco #2

157 – Jacori Teemer #1

165 – Michael Caliendo #2

174 – Patrick Kennedy  #5

184 – Gabe Arnold #5

197 – Stephen Buchanan #1

Hwt – Ben Kueter #12

It is great to be an Iowa Wrestling fan.

Go Hawks!

The 2025 Hawkeye Wrestling Club Arctic Plunge will be on Saturday, January 25th 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 Arctic Plunge will take place immediately after the Iowa Hawkeyes Iowa host #7 Ohio State in sold out legendary Carver-Hawkeye Arena at 1 PM on Saturday.

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

There will be a cash bar and complimentary keg beer, pizza, and hot drinks available for guests and jumpers.

The goal for the 2025 Arctic Plunge is to raise $150,000.

For more information and to make a pledge:

https://boom.hawkeyewrestlingclub.com/campaign/2025-hwc-arctic-plunge/c637266

From HawkeyeWrestlingClub.com:

2025 HWC Arctic Plunge

Saturday, January 25th

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

3:30 PM – Doors Open

4 PM – Jumpers Meeting

4:30 Costume Contest

5 PM – Jumpers lineup

5:15 PM – JUMP!

6 PM – Awards, Raffle, HWC Address

10 PM – Estimated time of completion

Pledges can be made and accepted as little as 30 minutes prior to the awards presentation on the night of the event.

It is great to be an Iowa Wrestling fan.

Go Hawks!

There were a lot of moving parts for Iowa Wrestling this weekend with both programs having home dual meets and Spencer Lee competing in France. Before we move on to another big week I wanted to do a recap of the eventful weekend.

The weekend started off on Friday with #2 Iowa defeating #9 Illinois 28-6. The biggest match was #3 Drake Ayala scoring a takedown to defeat #2 Lucas Byrd, 4-2. That was the big match of the night that so many were looking forward to. We could see that match in the Big Ten finals and the NCAA Finals.

Joey Cruz is looking better with each competition. Last weekend he beat #18 Nicolar Rivera of Wisconsin. Friday night Cruz won by a 13-3 major decision over Caelan Riley. We may have more than we thought here with Cruz at 125.

Another match I was looking forward to seeing was Gabe Arnold over #10 Edmond Ruth, 5-1. I liked what we saw out of Arnold against the defending 174 lbs. Big Ten champion Ruth.

I have been telling you how much I like Miquel Estrada on this blog since October. He was impressive in defeating #20 Jason Kraisser, 3-2. I hope it works out that Estrada can redshirt with a return of #1 Jacori Teemer to the lineup. Either way Estrada has a great future in the Black and Gold of Iowa.

I also want to mention Stephan Buchanan who looked good with a 13-2 major decision over #18 Zac Braunagel. Buchanan is improving every time he competes.

Overall Iowa won the takedown battle 15-1. That is impressive over a tough Big Ten team. The Hawks also had a 69-21 edge in match points. To make this even better is that Iowa can and will wrestle a lot better than what we saw Friday night.

Iowa will host #7 Ohio State in sold out legendary Carver-Hawkeye Arena this Saturday, January 25 at 1 PM.

#2 Iowa 28, #9 Illinois 6

125 – #28 Joey Cruz (IA) major dec. Caelan Riley (IL), 13-3

133 – #4 Drake Ayala (IA) dec. #2 Lucas Byrd (IL), 4-2

141 – #12 Danny Pucino (IL) dec. #30 Ryder Block (IA), 4-3

149 – #3 Kyle Parco (IA) dec. #12 Kannon Webster (IL), 1-0

157 – Miguel Estrada (IA) vs. #20 Jason Kraisser (IL), 3-2

165 – #2 Michael Caliendo (IA) tech fall. #11 Braeden Scoles (IL), 20-4

174 – #5 Patrick Kennedy (IA) dec. #21 Danny Braunagel (IL), 5-0

184 – #5 Gabe Arnold (IA) dec. #10 Edmond Ruth (IL), 5-1

197 – #2 Stephen Buchanan (IA) major dec. #18 Zac Braunagel (IL), 13-2

285 – #11 Luke Luffman (IL) dec. #12 Ben Kueter (IA), 3-1

On Saturday the Iowa Women’s Wrestling team hosted Augustana and Grand Valley State for Iowa Duals II.

The Hawks defeated Augustana 44-1 and Grand Valley State 35-7. Iowa was 18-2 in total matches with three pins and nine tech falls.

The Iowa lineup is so solid and dominant top to bottom I really do not know what else to say. When you are the defending national champs and look noticeably better you really have a loaded and powerful team.

Iowa will be back on  the mats on Saturday, January 25 in Albany, New York at the Journeymen Wrestling College Duals. The Hawks will face Lock Haven, Sacred Heart, Elmira and Presbyterian.

#1 Iowa 44 Augustana 1

103 #3 Sterling Dias (I) wins via forfeit 

110 #2 Ava Bayless (I) over Jo Orozco (A), TF 10-0

117 #1 Brianna Gonzalez (I) over Liz Ramirez (A), TF 10-0

124 #7 Cali Leng (I) over Sandie Pfeil (A), Fall 5:34

131 #10 Emily Frost (I) over Moni Griffin (A), TF 10-0

138 #6 Cadence Diduch (I) over Bri Bynum (A), TF 10-0

145 #2 Reese Larramendy (I) over Aine Moffit (A), TF 13-2

160 #1 Kennedy Baldes (I) over Maryam Ndiaye (A), TF 13-0

180 #6 Naomi Simon (I) over Sawyer Graham (A), Fall 0:53

207 #6 Alivia White (I) over Angie Guy (A), Fall 0:41 44-1 

#1 Iowa 35  #4 Grand Valley State 7

103 #4 Rayana Sahagun (GV) over #3 Sterling Dias (I), Dec. 6-4

110 #5 Emilie Gonzalez (I) wins via forfeit

117 #1 Brianna Gonzalez (I) over Tabaldo (GV), TF 11-0

124 #7 Cali Leng (I) over #4 Aspen Blasko (GV), Dec. 2-2

131 Emmily Patneaud (I) over Hanna Palise (GV), Fall 2:18

138 #2 Katie Lange (GV) over #3 Nanea Estrella (I), Dec. 4-3

145 #1 Macey Kilty (I) over #9 Elleni Johnson (GV), TF 10-0

160 #1 Kennedy Baldes (I) over Clarissa Agostini (GV), Fall 0:38

180 #1 Kylie Welker (I) over #2 Sabrina Nauss (GV), TF 10-0

207 #6 Alivia White (I) over Aaliyah Grandberry (GV), Dec. 5-0

Spencer Lee won gold at 57 kg at the 51st annual Henri Deglane Grand Prix in Nice, France. Lee outscored his opponents 40-0 by going 4-0 with four tech falls in :38, :36, :35, and :33. 

Impressive showing for Lee in his first competition since capturing silver at the Olympics last summer.

HWC head coach Dan Dennis cornered Lee in France and Pat Lugo was his training partner.

2025 Henri Deglane Grand Prix in Nice, France

Round 1: Spencer Lee(USA) TF over Ben Tarik(Morocco) 10-0 :38

Round 2: Spencer Lee(USA) TF over Cheynoux Gaspard(France) 10-0 :36

Semifinals: Spencer Lee(USA) TF over Guessepple Villaroel(Ecuador) 10-0 :35

Finals: Spencer Lee(USA) TF over Thomas Epp(Switzerland) 10-0 :33

FloWrestling announced “FloWrestling Night in America” for Wednesday, February 26. The main event will be a challenge match between 2024 Olympic 57 kg silver medalist Spencer Lee vs. 2024 60 kg world champion Masanosuke Ono of Japan.

It was announced last week that Austin DeSanto will face Seth Gross at 60kg. Additional matches will be announced.

I of course have to mention recruiting. Iowa has two elite recruits for the Class of 2025 to be excited about. Leo DeLuca(120) and Harvey Ludington(190) are both ranked #1 in the country for a reason. That is two guys coming into the program that will make a big impact.

As I have done for years I will post a blog on Friday for upcoming weekend competitions and a follow up blog with results on my “Recruits in action” series.

It is great to be an Iowa Wrestling fan.

Go Hawks!

It was another good weekend of competition for our incoming recruits.

Leo DeLuca won by a 19-4 tech fall in the Blair-Wyoming Seminary dual meet Friday night. 

Harvey Ludington won by a :35 pin and a tech fall in dual meets. 

Paolo Ciatto won the title at 170 at the New Rochelle Shoreline Tournament.

Samantha Sachs won the 65-team Ayala Women’s Invitational in Chino Hills. Sachs was 5-0 with four first period falls and a tech fall.

Our remaining incoming recruits did not compete this weekend.

As I have done for years I will post a blog on Friday for upcoming weekend competitions and a follow up blog with results on my “Recruits in action” series.

Recruiting Class of 2025

Leo DeLuca – Blair Academy(Morristown, New Jersey) 120 lbs. 

Fri Jan 17 – Wyoming Seminary

Leo DeLuca(Blair) tech fall over Nikos Filipos(WS) (19-4) 5:25

Paolo Ciatto – Iona Preparatory(New Rochelle, New York)  170 lbs.

Fri/Sat Jan 16-17 – at New Rochelle Shoreline Tournament

Finals: Paolo Ciatto (Iona Prep) dec. Jordan Fisher (Edgemont), 7-3

Leister Bowling – Longmont(Mead HS), Colorado  175 lbs.

Did not compete.

Ty Miller – North Olmsted(St. Ed’s HS), Ohio 175 lbs. 

Did not compete.

Jarrel Miller – North Olmsted(St. Ed’s HS), Ohio  190 lbs. 

Did not compete.

Harvey Ludington – Brick, New Jersey(Brick Memorial HS)  190 lbs. 

Fri Jan 17 – at Lacey

Harvery Ludington(Brick) tech fall over Jake Mott (21-5) 2:19

Sat Jan 18 – Bridgewater-Raritan and Jefferson

Harvery Ludington(Brick) fall over Lerrod Smalls(BR) :35

Harvery Ludington(Brick) won by forfeit (Jefferson)

Recruiting Class of 2026

Owen McMullen – Johnstown(Bishop McCort HS), Pennsylvania  

No competition scheduled.

Women’s Recruiting Class of 2025

Isabella Gonzales – Fresno(Clovis East HS), California  120 lbs. 

No competition scheduled.

Samantha Sachs – Glendora, California  130 lbs.  

Fri/Sat Jan 17-18 – at Ayala Women’s Invitational(Chino Hills)

Champ. Round 1 – Samantha Sachs (Glendora) received a bye

Champ. Round 2 – Samantha Sachs (Glendora) won by fall over Alicia Morales (Walnut) (Fall 0:43)

Champ. Round 3 – Samantha Sachs (Glendora) won by fall over Victoria Melgoza (Arlington) (Fall 0:47)

Quarterfinal – Samantha Sachs (Glendora) won by tech fall over Marci Cueva (Northview) (TF 21-5)

Semifinal – Samantha Sachs (Glendora) won by fall over Sophia Fodera (Poway) (Fall 1:00)

1st Place Match – Samantha Sachs (Glendora) won by fall over Ruby Julien-Newsom (Torrey Pines) (Fall 1:11)

It is great to be an Iowa Wrestling fan.

Go Hawks!