Agon Wrestling Championships come to Cedar Rapids

CEDAR RAPIDS - Agon Wrestling Championships will host its fifth program in the City of Five Seasons.

The event dubbed 'Iowa Against The World” will feature former and future University of Iowa wrestlers against some of the nation's best amateur wrestlers Friday at the U.S. Cellular Center, beginning at 7:30 p.m.

Agon has held previous events in Las Vegas, Flint, Mich., Whitewater, Wis., and Lemoore, Calif. The organization has allowed amateur wrestlers to extend their competitive careers, providing a chance to supplement their income through the sport they love. In the past, coaching was the best option.

'It gives guys a way to make money so they can live, chasing their dreams of being an Olympic gold medalist,” Former Iowa NCAA champion Tony Ramos said. 'There are not Hawkeye Wrestling Clubs or Titan Mercury Wrestling Clubs for everyone. Some people have to work a second job or do things to make more money than just competing.”

Ramos, who will face 2008 Olympic gold medalist Henry Cejudo in the co-main event, compared Agon's role with professional levels of other sports, including Ultimate Fighting Championships, National Football League, Major League Soccer and National Hockey League.

'Agon is trying to become the alternative after college and high school for wrestling,” Ramos said. 'Agon is trying to become the highest level for wrestling other than the Olympics.”

Wrestlers listed on its roster, including former Hawkeye two-time national champion Brent Metcalf, former Iowa State national champion and current South Dakota State head coach Chris Bono, Michigan four-time All-American Kellen Russell and Missouri national champion Max Askren. Other wrestlers from various levels can participate.

Competition will use current freestyle rules of United World Wrestling. Matches consist of two three-minute periods with a winner determined from aggregate scoring of the two periods. The production will include a raised mat and elaborate entrances. Former Iowa two-time NCAA champion Mark Ironside said it is a unique contest.

'It really helps former collegiate athletes,” Ironside said. 'They are giving these guys an opportunity to come in, make some good money (and) wrestle some great competition. it's something a little different.”

Metcalf will headline the event, wrestling 18-year-old phenom and Junior World silver medalist Aaron Pico in the main event. he has wrestled in some other upstart promotions and will continue his involvement. Fans will have the ability to watch wrestlers they followed in college to compete in their own backyard, which is rare outside of when the Olympic and World Team Trials held in the Midwest.

'I think it's a great opportunity,” Metcalf said. 'I think it's good for our sport. One of the things I've always said is that I will participate in every one of these.”

Ramos and Metcalf both said the goal is to develop the promotion into something grander in upcoming years.

The undercard is expected to include former Iowa NCAA champion and Linn-Mar state champion Matt McDonough, former Iowa NCAA champion and Iowa City West prep Derek St. John and former Hawkeye Phil Keddy. McDonough will face Iowa State assistant and former Indiana wrestler Angel Escobedo, who defeated McDonough in the 2010 Big Ten Conference final. St. John takes on former Northwestern wrestler Jason Welch in a rematch of the 2013 NCAA finals. Keddy has Cyclone Wrestling Club member Deron Winn.

Iowa fans also will get a look at two future Hawkeyes. Justin Mejia and Mike Kemerer have verbally committed to Iowa and are expected to compete in the event as well.

'There are a lot of good matches,” Ramos said. 'Even the undercard is going to be exciting for the fans, and not just Iowa fans. College fans will have a preview of many years to come.”

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