Hawkeyes Down No. 4 Ohio State
The second-ranked University of Iowa wrestling team defeated fourth-ranked Ohio State on Saturday afternoon at Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Mediacom Mat.
IOWA CITY, Iowa – The second-ranked University of Iowa wrestling team defeated fourth-ranked Ohio State on Saturday afternoon at Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Mediacom Mat.
The Hawkeyes won 7-of-10 bouts and got bonus points at 165 and 197 pounds. “You have to go out and do it, that is where we are at,” said head coach Tom Brands. “We get on a plane Thursday, and we go 7 p.m. Eastern Time at the Bryce Jordan Center”.
The Hawkeyes got a win out of the gate as Joey Cruz earned the highest ranked win of his career defeating No. 16 Brendan McCrone, 6-5. Back-to-back technical falls for the Buckeyes put them up, 10-3, as Ben Davino won 19-4 over Keyan Hernandez and top-ranked Jesse Mendez won 19-2 over Ryder Block. A top 10 win at 149, as Kyle Parco defeated No. 9 Dylan D’Emilio, 8-3, got the Hawkeyes back in the win column. At 157, top-ranked Jacori Teemer made his return from injury for the Hawkeyes winning via a 10-5 decision over 17th ranked Sammy Sasso, cutting the Ohio State lead to one. Iowa got bonus points out of intermission as Michael Caliendo defeated No.9 Paddy Gallagher, 11-3, for the major decision at 165.
The Buckeyes responded tying the score at 13 apiece with a decision at 174, No. 6 Carson Kharchla defeated Patrick Kennedy, 7-3. A 4-1 overtime win at 184 for Gabe Arnold over No. 19 Ryder Rogotzke gave the Hawkeyes the lead back and a 18-1 technical fall from Stephen Buchanan over No. 17 Seth Schumate put that match away for the Hawkeyes. “Of course, I wish I would have finished all the attacks I had taken,” said Arnold. “My goal out there is to make the scoreboard lopsided, throw a football score on my side. Obviosuly that is what I want to do, but sometimes the plan changes a little bit, and you have to deviate. You keep attacking, and I was confident in my ability and my attacks. I just kept going.” … more at … https://hawkeyesports.com/news/2025/01/25/hawkeyes-down-no-4-ohio-state
Hawkeyes Roll Past No. 9 Illinois
IOWA CITY, Iowa – The second ranked University of Iowa wrestling team won eight of 10 matches to put together a 28-6 victory over ninth ranked Illinois on Friday night at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The Hawkeyes outscored the Illini in total match points 69-21 and had 15 takedowns to Illinois’ one. “I know that we need to work harder at scoring points,” said head coach Tom Brands.
Joey Cruz got things started for the Hawkeyes with bonus points at 125 pounds to open the dual. He defeated Caelan Riley via major decision, 13-3.
In a top five matchup at 133, Drake Ayala used a third period takedown with 40 seconds left to win over second-ranked Lucas Byrd, 4-2. “It has been a position I’ve worked on,” said Ayala. “I got there, and I capitalized. I have to get more of that offense going in the first period and second period.”
Illinois got on the board with a win at 141 with No. 12 Danny Pucino defeating Ryder Block, 4-3. Kyle Parco got the Hawkeyes back in the win column against No. 12 Kannon Webster winning a 1-0 decision. At 157, true freshman Miguel Estrada picked up his first career ranked win in his Carver-Hawkeye arena debut defeating No. 20 Jason Kraisser, 3-2.
Michael Caliendo came out after the break and put together a 20-4 technical fall over 11th ranked Braeden Scoles at 165. At 174, Patrick Kennedy tallied his eighth win of the season defeating No. 21 Danny Braunagel, 5-0. Gabe Arnold picked up a top 10 win at 184 pounds over No. 10 Edmond Ruth winning a 5-1 decision.
Stephen Buchanan notched his 10th bonus point victory of the season defeating No. 18 Zac Braunagel, 13-2 at 197 pounds. Illinois closed out the dual with a victory at heavyweight … more at … https://hawkeyesports.com/news/2025/01/18/hawkeyes-roll-past-no-9-illinois
Brands Notches Win 300 As Hawkeyes Down Princeton and Army
ST. CHARLES, Missouri – The University of Iowa wrestling team won a pair of duals on Friday night at Francis Howell High School at the Journeymen ‘Unvicil War’. The Hawkeyes defeated Princeton, 39-3, before defeating Army, 23-16, in the nightcap. The second win was head coach Tom Brand’s 300th career dual victory. “We have a lot of work to do,” said Brands. “This team has a lot of work to do. It’s a characteristic of a good coach to be looking ahead not behind.”
The Hawkeyes won 15 of the 20 bouts in the two duals and secured bonus points in 11 matches. In the opening dual of the night the Hawkeyes won nine bouts over Princeton. Including six straight via bonus points. Iowa started the run of technical fall victories with Kyle Parco at 149 as he defeated Christopher Martino, 17-2. Miguel Estrada made his dual debut defeating Cody Tavoso, 21-6, at 157. At 165, Michael Caliendo won 19-3 over Hudson Hightower and Nelson Brands won 20-4 over Xavier Giles at 174. Stephen Buchanan also tallied a technical fall at 197 over No. 18 Luke Stout, 18-3. Iowa got major decisions from Drake Ayala over Daniel Jones, 13-2, … more at … https://hawkeyesports.com/news/2024/12/06/brands-notches-win-300-hawkeyes-down-princeton-and-army/
Iowa Coach Tom Brands approaches 300 career dual victories
Brands could hit win milestone against Army and Princeton Friday; Questions remain at 157 for Iowa; ISU’s Euton suffered season-ending inury; UNI’s Keckeisen earns Big 12 honor
IOWA CITY – Iowa Coach Tom Brands is approaching a milestone.
In his 20 th season as college wrestling head coach, including the last 18 with the Hawkeyes, Brands is just two from 300 career dual victories. Second-ranked Iowa will face Princeton and Army in a double-dual at Journeymen Wrestling’s “Uncivil War” on Friday at Francis Howell High School in St. Charles, Mo. Brands could join Dan Gable (355-21-5) as the only Iowa coaches to reach the 300-win plateau.
Brands said he had no idea about the chance to reach the feat. “Sometimes you’re aware of it more,” Brands said. “On this one, this is the first time I’ve heard that.”
Iowa has opened the season 4-0. Brands improved his overall career record to 298-47-1. He owns a 281-27-1 record with the Hawkeyes. He is 134-14 in Big Ten Conference duals and 135-14 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. “That’s not a big deal,” Brands continued. “What’s the big deal is that we got a lot of work to do and we got a lot of guys in that wrestling room that like doing the work and get better every day.
“So, that’s the most important thing. From there, we have to keep getting better. All these guys are coming.”
Brands has led Iowa to at least 11 dual wins in each season not shortened by the Covid pandemic. The Hawkeyes went 5-0 in that 2020-21 season limited to Big Ten duals. Iowa is 4-1 all-time against Army, including a 2-0 mark under Brands. The Hawkeyes are 4-0 in duals with Princeton.
QUESTIONS AT 157 FOR IOWA
Iowa’s probable lineup has a couple of interesting either/or weights. At 125 pounds, Joey Cruz and Kale Petersen are both listed again. All-American Nelson Brands and Patrick Kennedy, who posted an impressive technical fall against Iowa State, are both included at 174. Cullan Schriever is added as an option with Ryder Block at 141.
The odd listing is TBA (to be announced) at 157 pounds. Top-ranked Jacori Teemer injury defaulted during the win over the Cyclones. The roster has … more at … https://www.thegazette.com/hawkeye-wrestling/mens-college-wrestling-notes-iowa-coach-tom-brands-approaches-300-career-dual-victories/
No. 2 Iowa beats No. 12 Iowa State 21-15 in 2024 Cy-Hawk dual
No. 2 Iowa beats No. 12 Iowa State 21-15 in 2024 Cy-Hawk dual
The No. 2 Iowa Hawkeyes overpowered the No. 12 Iowa State Cyclones in this year’s Cy-Hawk rivalry dual thanks to clutch performances from a unique combination of veterans, transfers and rookies.
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Patrick Kennedy, a longtime Hawk and the presumed backup this year at 174 pounds, emerged as the unexpected star of the night with his 19-4 technical fall against his former teammate Aiden Riggins. Though Riggins isn’t ranked, Kennedy’s offense was a positive sign for Iowa and elevated the Black and Gold back over Iowa State in a dual that went back and forth through the first five matches.
All-American Stephen Buchanan also notched bonus points in his 10-0 match against No. 20 Christian Carroll at 197 pounds for Iowa. His performance officially sealed the dual for the Hawks and marked Iowa’s last win of the night as Iowa State’s No. 4 Yonger Bastida beat Iowa’s No. 13 Ben Kueter 7-2 in a fun, competitive match at heavyweight. Bastida and Kueter highlighted what heavyweight athleticism looks like though, and they will both be podium threats this March.
The Hawkeyes also picked up a ranked win from NCAA finalist Drake Ayala 11-7 against Evan Frost at 133 pounds and All-American Kyle Parco 4-3 in a contentious match against No. 7 Anthony Echemendia at 149 ponds.
The biggest blow to the Hawks though came one weight later when NCAA finalist Jacori Teemer had to injury default out of his bout against No. 10 Paniro Johnson following what looked to be a hamstring injury. The Cyclones earned six team points from that result, putting them ahead 12-6 at the halfway point in the dual before All-American Mikey Caliendo notched a win at 165 pounds 12-7 over Connor Euton and Kennedy, as previously mentioned, lit up the scoreboard at 174 pounds.
The other big headline from the dual was the emergence of freshman Angelo Ferrari at 184 pounds in place of expected starter Gabe Arnold for Iowa. … more at … https://www.ncaa.com/live-updates/wrestling/d1/no-2-iowa-beats-no-12-iowa-state-21-15-2024-cy-hawk-dual
College wrestling notebook: Iowa women get statement win, Stanford upsets in Ames, and eight teams dual on USS Yorktown
The college wrestling season is in full swing following an exciting week two of competition. Fans were treated to several premier events, including a series of dual meets on the USS Yorktown, the Journeymen Wranglemania and Collegiate Classic, and a matchup of two premier women’s teams expected to compete for national titles.
Here are five things to note week two of the college wrestling season.
Dual of the week
It was a battle of the second-ranked NCAA team versus the second ranked NAIA team on the women’s wrestling front as Iowa defeated Life 30-14 in Marietta, Georgia, on Friday.
Iowa 30, Life 14
103 lbs. – Rianne Murphy (Iowa) fall Brianna Funakoshi (Life), 1:33
110 lbs. – Anaya Falcon (Life) tech. fall Valarie Solorio (Iowa), 12-2 …
…
Upset of the week
The No. 20 Stanford Cardinal went into Ames and took down No. 6 Iowa State, 23-21, to pick up the first major dual meet upset of the season. True freshmen Aden Valencia and Grigor Cholakyan secured falls to spearhead the Stanford effort.
Stanford 23, Iowa State 21
125 lbs. – Adrian Meza (Iowa State) won by forfeit
133 lbs. – Tyler Knox (Stanford) maj. dec. Garrett Grice (Iowa State), 10-0
141 lbs. – Aden Valencia (Stanford) fall Zach Redding (Iowa State), F5:50
149 lbs. – Anthony Echemendia (Iowa State) dec. Jaden Abas (Stanford), 11-5
157 lbs. – Grigor Cholakyan (Stanford) fall Kane Naaktgeboren (Iowa State), F5:32 … more at … https://www.themat.com/news/2024/november/11/college-wrestling-notebook-iowa-women-get-statement-win-stanford-upsets-in-ames-and-eight-teams-dual-on-uss-yorktown
And …
No. 2 Iowa women’s wrestling dominates all weekend at top-ranked Life University
Rianne Murphy shined for the Hawkeyes throughout the weekend, picking up two dual victories along with a first-place finish.
The No. 2 Iowa women’s wrestling team had an outstanding weekend against a big opponent this weekend, picking up wins in both of its duals meets and crowning six champions at the Eagle Madness Open in Marietta, Georgia.
On Friday, Iowa dominated No. 11 Hastings with a 46-1 win. And the Hawkeyes took down top-ranked No. 1 Life in a much tighter dual meet, 30-14, the next day.
First-year Rianne Murphy opened the weekend with a win via forfeit at 103 pounds. Iowa quickly gained a 19-0 lead following two consecutive technical-fall victories from second-years Ava Bayless and Brianna Gonzalez at 110 and 117 pounds, respectively.
Iowa increased its lead to 19-0 after first-year Valarie Solorio picked up a win via forfeit at 124.
Iowa third-year Skye Realin defeated Larissa Katz by a 15-2 tech fall at 131 pounds. And second-year Nanea Estrella made her first appearance since 2023, when she suffered a season-ending injury, to pin Reagen Gallaway in just 1:57.
After falls for Ella Schmit, Rose Cassioppi, and Naomi Simon, third-year Katja Osteen wrapped up the dual for the Hawkeyes, pinning Taylor Rickley in just 21 seconds at 207 pounds to secure the 46-1 victory. Back-to-back
About five hours later, Iowa returned to action, taking on No. 1 Life. The Hawkeyes were in no way at full strength, missing three Senior World medalists in Macey Kilty, Kennedy Blades, and Kylie Welker.
Murphy again opened the dual with another win at 103 pounds, securing a fall.
Life immediately responded by winning back-to-back matches at 110 and 117, where Bayless and first-year Valarie Solorio and Bayless lost.
The Hawkeyes got back on the board with a 12-3 Gonzalez victory over All-American Anna Krejsa at 124 pounds. Realin followed up with an impressive 45-second fall over Life’s two-time NAIA national finalist Sarah Savidge.
Iowa’s Estrella continued her impressive day with a 12-2 tech victory, followed by a 10-0 tech win from reigning national champion Reese Larramendy. … more at … https://dailyiowan.com/2024/11/10/no-2-iowa-womens-wrestling-dominates-all-weekend-at-top-ranked-life-university/
Hawkeyes Release Complete 2024-25 Schedule
IOWA CITY, Iowa – Head coach Tom Brands released the complete University of Iowa men’s wrestling schedule for the 2024-25 season on Thursday. The Hawkeyes will host seven duals inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena this season. Times and TV designations will be announced at a later date.
Notes about the 2024-25 season:
- Iowa opens the season traveling to Corvallis to face Oregon State on Nov. 2. The Hawkeyes also travel to Bellarmine (Nov. 15), and face Princeton and Army in St. Charles, Missouri (Dec. 6) as part of the Journeymen Wrestling’s “Uncivil War”.
- The team’s first home dual at Carver Hawkeye Arena is on Nov. 9 against Stanford on Mediacom Mat. The Hawkeyes will also host Iowa State (Nov. 23) and Oklahoma State (Feb. 23) in nonconference home duals.
- Iowa will close out the 2024 calendar year competing in the Soldier Salute at Xtream Arena in Coralville, Iowa. The event will take place on Dec. 29-30.
- The Hawkeyes host Illinois (Jan. 17), Ohio State (Jan. 25), Nebraska (Feb. 7) and Northwestern (Feb. 16) in Big Ten duals at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
- Iowa travels for league road duals at Wisconsin (Jan. 12), Penn State (Jan. 31), Maryland (Feb. 2) and Minnesota (Feb. 14).
- The postseason begins at the Big Ten Championships on March 8-9 in Evanston, Illinois, while the 2025 NCAA Championships will be held from March 20-22 in Philadelphia.
Iowa is coming off a 2023-24 season where it posted a 12-2 overall and 6-2 Big Ten mark. … more at … https://hawkeyesports.com/news/2024/10/10/hawkeyes-release-complete-2024-25-schedule/
Why Does Iowa Wrestling Have So Many Fans?
Here are six reasons the University of Iowa wrestling program has a fan base like no other.
The University of Iowa continues to be the standard-bearer for college wrestling attendance. For the past three seasons, the Hawkeyes averaged over 14,000 fans for home duals. A record 42,287 attended the Grapple on the Gridiron on November 14, 2015 — a home dual between Oklahoma State and Iowa at Kinnick Stadium before the Minnesota football game.
Here are six reasons Iowa has the country’s largest wrestling fan base. Watch the below interview with former Hawkeye coach Dan Gable for his insights.
1. Winning Program
Iowa hired Gary Kurdelmeier during the 1972-73 season. Kurdelmeier’s first order of business was to hire Dan Gable as his assistant. Gable was fresh off a win at the 1972 Munich Olympics when he arrived in Iowa City.
Hiring Gable marked a turning point. Iowa finished seventh at the 1973 NCAA Championships, fifth in 1974, and first in 1975 and 1976. Gable took over as head coach during the 1977 season and his teams won 15 of 21 championships and 21 consecutive Big Ten titles.
The Hawkeyes have never finished lower than eighth at nationals for 51 straight seasons. No other program compares during that span. “Iowa fans are used to excitement,” Gable said. “Iowa fans are used to winning. A lot of it has to do with how the kid wrestles. Iowa wrestling has done it for so long with such good performances that they’re consistent.”
Iowa Wrestling NCAA Championships Results: 1973-2025
| Year | NCAA Finish | Coach |
| 1973 | 7th | Gary Kurdelmeier |
| 1974 | 5th | Gary Kurdelmeier |
| 1975 | 1st | Gary Kurdelmeier |
| 1976 | 1st | Gary Kurdelmeier |
| 1977 | 3rd | Dan Gable |
| 1978 | 1st | Dan Gable |
| 1979 | 1st | Dan Gable |
… more at … https://www.flowrestling.org/articles/12872714-why-does-iowa-wrestling-have-so-many-fans
TDR blog
After 20 seasons of publicizing wrestling The TakeDown Report’s (TDR) focus has changed to the collecting of college coaching records from North America since 1903. We will continue to recognize and reward successful wrestlers in eastern North Carolina (east of Raleigh & Fayetteville), assist with schools in starting or re-starting a team and this blog. Join us on our FaceBook Page – “The TakeDown Report” for photos and news. Please send results, stories, links and news to pass along. E-mail us at takedownreport@gmail.com
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Takedown Report
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