Wrestling Weekend That Was: Iowa women make home debut, while men dominate at Luther

College wrestling competitions are underway for men and women. High schools have begun training for the rapidly approaching seasons. The Iowa men dominated at the Luther Open, the Hawkeyes’ women’s team held its first dual at Carver-Hawkeye Arena and an NCAA and World champion went down. Here is the season’s first Wrestling Weekend That Was:

Iowa women make home debut

The Hawkeye women’s team has waited a couple years for this opportunity and their home debut in Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Sunday was everything imagined it would be. Iowa dominated the Trailblazer Duals against three NCAA Division I institutions (even though all NCAA women’s programs compete at the National Collegiate Women’s Wrestling Championship), beating No. 5 Sacred Heart, No. 11 Lindenwood and Presbyterian.

“I woke up thinking this dream has now become a reality,” Iowa Coach Clarissa Chun said during the post-match news conference. “The exact words in my head were, ‘This is real. This is happening.’ Women’s wrestling is here at Iowa and it’s official because we are competing in Carver.”

The dual was more than its results. This was a special moment for wrestlers like Felicity Taylor, who longed for this day. At one time, she had to leave the state to chase her dream of college wrestling, starting for national power McKendree (Ill.) University. Taylor, a former South Winneshiek prep, transferred to Iowa, competed unattached and trained for a full year before being able to officially represent the Hawkeyes.

Former Bettendorf champion Ella Schmit and Charles City’s Lilly Luft wrestled and won.

“I said it was more than I could ever dream of,” Taylor said after going 3-0 with a pin and technical fall. “I truly mean that.”

Nothing compared to taking the mat in front of 8,207 fans. The Hawkeyes delighted each of them, going 32-1 in individual matches. The dominance Iowa fans crave and expect.

“You think of what it’s going to be like and you can never truly imagine what it’s going to be like walking out into Carver-Hawkeye Arena with all the fans cheering for you as a Hawk,” said Taylor, who also competed in the 2022 World Cup for Team USA at Xtream Arena in Coralville. “It’s the best feeling in the world.”

Support of Iowa’s men’s program is unmatched. Fans have sold out season tickets the last three seasons. It’s a mainstay among the attendance leaders in college wrestling each year. Kinnick Stadium hosted 42,287 for a record-breaking regular-season dual in 2015 against Oklahoma State (which is considering women’s wrestling), they broke USA Wrestling Olympic Trials attendance records when they hosted in 2012 and now the women’s program is tops as well.

Similar support was demonstrated Sunday. Iowa announced that it was a women’s college wrestling record. The Dan Gable Museum in Waterloo shared on social media that it was a world record for the largest crowd at a women’s wrestling event.

“I’m grateful for everyone that showed up in the stands,” Chun said. “All the work that went into creating a great event.”

Iowa men great with 8 titles

Iowa’s men’s wrestling team competed at the Luther Open Saturday. As would be expected, the Hawkeyes rolled through the field with eight champions. Drake Ayala (125), Jace Rhodes (133), 157-pounder Jared Franek, Michael Caliendo at 164. Gabe Arnold (174), Brennan Swafford at 184 and 197-pounder Zach Glazier all won elite division titles. Isaiah Fenton claimed the 157-pound crown in the silver/freshman division.

Ayala is back from a redshirt season a year ago. He was an NCAA qualifier as a freshman, taking over for an injured Spencer Lee. Ayala scored a pin and four technical falls Saturday, scoring 76 points in those terminations.

Keep an eye on Arnold, the true freshmen who concluded a stellar high school career with a state title at Iowa City High. A lot of attention has been focused on whether Ben Kueter will step into the heavyweight spot, but Arnold could be a viable 174 candidate. Iowa does have Aiden Riggins also at 174, so if they want to redshirt Arnold coaches have a viable option. Arnold tallied 84 points in five matches.

The graduation of Jacob Warner, the five-time All-American and NCAA finalist, has left a void at 197. Glazier has started strong this season, posting a major decision in the Cal Baptist dual and trouncing opponents with two pins and two technical falls at Luther. Iowa will need Glazier to continue his dominant ways in that spot.

The Hawkeyes are back in action Sunday with the home opener against Oregon State at noon in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

Iowa State handles Davidson

The Cyclones cruised to a 50-0 victory over Davidson Sunday night at Hilton Coliseum in Ames. The strong performance included 10 bonus-point victories, but a few notable moments occurred during the meet.

One of the more meaningful moments came after No. 2 David Carr’s 17-2 technical fall over Marc Koch at 165. Carr ran over and shared a handshake with his brother, Nate Carr Jr., a former Cyclone who is the Davidson head coach. Iowa State distributed the picture on X (formerly Twitter) with a caption, “Family.”

The older Carr is not the only Wildcats coach with Iowa ties. Former Cyclone All-American Marcus Coleman is an assistant and returned to his hometown. Former Hawkeye Ty Eustice is also an assistant at Davidson.

Cody Chittum made his Iowa State debut after transferring from Iowa between seasons. He posted a 13-3 major over Tanner Peake at 157. Former Ohio State wrestler Anthoney Echemendia is at 149 for Iowa State. He added a 22-5 technical fall over Tyler McKnight. Both have solidified the Cyclones middle weights.

Lehigh freshman shocks world champ

One of the biggest upsets in college wrestling was recorded in the 133-pound finals of the Journeyman Classic wrestling tournament Sunday in Bethlehem, Pa. Lehigh redshirt freshman Ryan Crookham defeated Cornell University’s top-ranked Vito Arujau, 8-4.

Arujau is the reigning 133-pound NCAA champion, thumping Penn State’s Roman Bravo-Young in the finals, and won a world freestyle title in the offseason. Crookham was 8-1 last season as a redshirt and won the Princeton Open before Sunday’s championship that included a semifinal win over teammate Conor McGonagle, who was ranked sixth.

Crookham’s upsets came on the heels of high school star Marcus Blaze’s victory over Purdue’s NCAA finalist and then-No. 1 Matt Ramos the previous week at the Clarion Open.

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