IOWA CITY, Iowa – The University of Iowa wrestling team kicked off Big Ten competition with a strong showing against No. 18 Wisconsin, winning 23-12 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
The Hawkeyes dominated the match with 26 takedowns, compared to just six by the Badgers. Iowa outscored Wisconsin significantly, racking up 93 total match points against Wisconsin’s 54.
Head coach Tom Brands emphasized the importance of maintaining energy during matches. “You have to deal with what you’re facing,” he said, highlighting the need for focus regardless of the circumstances.
The dual began at 197 pounds. Wisconsin’s Wyatt Ingham secured an early lead with a close decision against Harvey Ludington. However, Iowa quickly responded as fifth-ranked Ben Kueter defeated No. 9 Braxton Amos in a tense overtime bout.
At 125 pounds, Keyan Hernandez faced No. 11 Nicolar Rivera. Although Rivera won 11-4, Hernandez prevented a larger score with a late takedown. The competition remained fierce at 133 pounds, where No. 14 Zan Fugitt avenged last year’s national semifinal loss by narrowly beating No. 3 Drake Ayala.
The momentum shifted as Kale Petersen brought home a win at 141 pounds, sending Iowa into the break with a solid performance. However, Iowa faced a setback at 149 pounds when No. 7 Ryder Block fell to 17th-ranked Joseph Zargo, putting Wisconsin ahead 12-6.
But then Iowa hit its stride, winning four consecutive matches, including three with bonus points. At 157 pounds, No. 12 Jordan Williams edged out No. 25 Luke Mechler with a 4-2 decision. Michael Caliendo showcased his skills at 165 pounds, earning a technical fall in just 3:54 against No. 26 Cody Goebel.
Patrick Kennedy kept the momentum going with a major decision at 174 pounds, dominating Luke Condon 14-3. Finally, top-ranked Angelo Ferrari wrapped things up with a staggering 19-4 technical fall at 184 pounds against Caleb Dennee.
The crowd of 11,549 fans witnessed an exciting night of wrestling, showing the sport’s growing popularity in the region. According to a recent survey by the NCAA, wrestling is among the top ten sports in terms of participation growth at the collegiate level, attracting more young athletes each year.
While the match showcased individual talent, it reflected broader trends in collegiate wrestling, such as an overall increase in match pace, which coaches like Brands are eager to maintain.
As the season progresses, Iowa’s athletes are poised to continue building on this win, reflecting the even broader competitive spirit present in the sport today.
Match Summary:
- Final: Iowa 23, Wisconsin 12
- 197: Wyatt Ingham (W) dec. Harvey Ludington (I), 10-8
- 285: Ben Kueter (I) dec. Braxton Amos (W), 4-1 SV1
- 125: Nicolar Rivera (W) dec. Keyan Hernandez (I), 11-4
- 133: Zan Fugitt (W) dec. Drake Ayala (I), 6-5
- 141: Kale Petersen (I) dec. Carson Exferd (W), 8-3
- 149: Joseph Zargo (W) dec. Ryder Block (I), 9-6 SV1
- 157: Jordan Williams (I) dec. Luke Mechler (W), 4-2
- 165: Michael Caliendo (I) tech. fall Cody Goebel (W), 21-6
- 174: Patrick Kennedy (I) major dec. Luke Condon (W), 14-3
- 184: Angelo Ferrari (I) tech. fall Caleb Dennee (W), 19-4
This result sets the tone for the remainder of the season. As Iowa looks forward to future matches, fans and athletes alike are excited for what’s next.
