Iowa City West’s Moore commits to Hawkeyes

Nick Moore's college decision may have been expected, but it should still bring excitement to University of Iowa wrestling fans.

Moore, a senior at Iowa City West, orally committed last night to wrestle for Hawkeye Coach Tom Brands.

“I really wanted to be a Hawkeye,” Moore said. “Going in I just kept an open mind about everything just in case everything didn't go according to plan (but) that really wasn't the case.”

Everything played out like many assumed. Moore is following his older brother, Nate, and former West teammates Grant Gambrall, Derek St. John and Dylan Carew to the Hawkeye program.

The reunion is nice, but the focus is individual goals and on being the best.

“The kids that were on my team, they got me to where I am now, so something was working,” Moore said. “To stay with them is special.

“Right now, it just seems like you can put that stuff aside and help each other and you grow and keep getting better.”

Only Old Dominion and Edinboro showed much interest besides Iowa. That didn't bother Moore at all.

“It wasn't really too stressful at all,” Moore said. “There (weren't) too many people after me.”

Moore's accomplishments are among the state's best, including three state titles and a 131-1 career mark.

Moore won Class 3A state titles at 130, 140 and 152, and has the chance to become the state's 19th four-time state champ. It would the first for West.

“I think he's obviously proven he's a very good competitor,” West Coach Mark Reiland said. “I think they're getting a good one.”

Moore had surgery in late March to repair an injured right shoulder, which lingered during the last two seasons. He was able to battle through the pain to build a 99-match winning streak, according to Reiland.

“For him to be able to fight through it and do what he's capable of ... in his condition is pretty impressive actually,” Reiland said.

Moore expects to begin his career at 157 pounds, possibly moving up to 165. He said he talked with Brands about redshirting and could wrestle immediately if he won the spot.

Brands impressed Moore during discussions, highlighting his approach to help Moore achieve his goals on and off the mat.

“He just really has my best interest in mind,” Moore said.