Iowa's Sam Stoll continues to mend after offseason surgery

IOWA CITY — Iowa heavyweight Sam Stoll is glad to be back on the mat.

It may be in a limited capacity but it is much better than his rehab from surgery for a knee injury at the end of last season.

'I don't like that,' Stoll said of riding a stationary bike during months of rehab. 'Not enough wrestling.'

Stoll will not begin his sophomore season in the Hawkeyes lineup, but he has started drilling and sparring in the practice room. Stoll was a breakout performer, going 22-6 with 10 pins as a freshman.

Stoll suffered a knee injury during the National Duals, but fought through it to reach the NCAA Championships. In the first round, Stoll reinjured his knee and was forced to default from the tournament. He had surgery in March.

'It's been a long process,' Stoll said. 'I'm still working my way back, but I'm feeling good. I'm feeling I'm ahead of the curve.'

Stoll said he worked with Iowa athletic trainer Jesse Donnenwerth. He experienced some frustration, but he was focused on moving forward.

'It's not fun,' Stoll said. 'I was dealt the hand and I've got to play my cards.'

When spectators will see Stoll in competition has yet to be determined. Patience is key in returning from major procedures.

'Timeline is pretty much day-to-day,' Iowa Coach Tom Brands said. 'Is he practicing? Yes. Is he on the mat? Yes. Is he ready to go right now today? No. Is he making progress? Absolutely.'

The move will be a group decision and it will likely have to be unanimous before one is made to bring him back. Until then, redshirt freshman Steven Holloway will make the move from 197 to heavyweight.

'It's kind of vague,' Stoll said of a return. 'Ultimately, me, Tom and Terry will sit down when we both think I'm ready to go I'll be ready to go. It won't be by the start of the season or the first dual, but I plan on being back somewhere in the middle to early middle (of the season).'

Marinelli's Role

Alex Marinelli said he considers it his role to make his Iowa teammates better. The true freshman has the chance to do that in the practice room, but by the end of the season it could be as the starting 165-pounder.

'I don't know,' Marinelli said about whether he expects to forego a redshirt season. 'I feel that Tom and I are on the same page and that's what is important.

'Him and I know if I do really good in the room and do good in these open tournaments and perform well and he'll be 'All right, you make the call.''

Iowa Coach Tom Brands has avoided burning the redshirt of wrestlers who may have made an immediate impact, like Derek St. John, Brandon Sorensen and redshirt freshman Michael Kemerer. Marinelli could change the trend if he is successful and it's the best decision for all.

'Guys are whipping tail and taking names, they're going to be in the lineup,' Brands said, 'but it has to be right for them, it has to be right for us.'

The highly-ranked recruit from national prep power St. Paris Graham High School was a four-time Ohio state champion with a 200-4 career mark. He is certified at 157, but will wrestle at the higher weight for this weekend's Grand View Open in Des Moines.

'I feel like 165 is where I've shaped myself into that right now,' Marinelli said. 'I'm getting really strong with the strength programs (Iowa strength and conditioning) Coach (Travis) Rutt has.'

Brands said he can relate to the characteristics that Marinelli has shown since arriving on campus. Marinelli demands a lot from himself and is a perfectionist.

'Marinelli likes to wrestle hard,' Brands said. 'He likes to wrestle with a big motor. He prides himself in that.

'He's very hard on himself. He wants to be the best all the time.'

Brands said he has a good pulse on Marinelli and where he is in the thought process for competition this season.

'There's just little signs where he's kind of maybe gone toward this might really happen this year,' Brands said. 'This isn't just something where we're going to talk about it. So, giddy up, giddy up and get going. It's like things in his locker, how he talks, how he's talking to the rest of our coaching staff, things you're hearing. Good and positive.'

Home Schedule

Iowa's home schedule includes some big names on the Big Ten and college landscape. In addition to rival Iowa State (Dec. 10), the Hawkeyes will host the last two NCAA championship teams.

Iowa hosts Penn State on Jan. 20 and Ohio State a week later on Jan. 27.

The Hawkeyes will open their home schedule with the Iowa City Duals on Nov. 18.

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