Patrick Kennedy capitalized on opportunity to return to the mat in Iowa men’s wrestling lineup

IOWA CITY — Patrick Kennedy returned to Iowa’s lineup Sunday.

He sparked a three-match win streak, recording a victory at 174 pounds Sunday against Iowa State. The season has included nearly a month away from live wrestling due to knee surgery.

“It felt good,” Kennedy said about being able to compete again. “I’ve been off the mat a little bit and plus it’s the first match of the season, rolling through that. I feel good and ready to wrestle again.”

Kennedy could be back at it Friday when No. 4 Iowa travels to University of Pennsylvania Friday for a men’s wrestling dual. He is listed with Drake Rhodes as possible 174 starters.

Kennedy, an NCAA qualifier at 165 last season, opened with a 14-13 decision over the Cyclones’ No. 21 M.J. Gaitan.

“You have the best guys you look at on your roster and the best guys will find themselves into the lineup,” Iowa Coach Tom Brands said. “He found himself into the lineup and that’s a really good philosophy. It’s been a timeless, ageless way to march.

“Kennedy is the type of guy where he doesn’t get uptight on whether he’s at the right weight or not. ‘Let’s do it’ was his quote.”

Iowa had options. Freshman Gabe Arnold and Rhodes were capable. Kennedy was day-to-day and coaches told him to brace for anything because he could wrestle anywhere from 165 to 197. He started to have extra workouts in the morning and at night and prepared mentally.

“I think we were less than 24 hours out,” Kennedy said. “We made a decision that my knee’s good to go. I’m good to go, so let’s go out there and compete.”

Brands said Kennedy will take an opportunity, even if the options are limited. He didn’t hesitate to make an impact.

“He’s a soldier,” Brands said. “He’s a loyal teammate and he’s what anybody would crave to have on their team, no matter what kind of team you have. Unbelievable character, that guy.”

Coaches’ confidence can provide a big boost, especially with the strong bond Kennedy has with the staff. Kennedy said he trusts them and their support can help shed whatever doubt or struggle he experiences.

“That’s why I chose to come to Iowa,” Kennedy said. “I believed in my coaching. We have a great relationship. There is so much love between me and the coaching staff.”

Kennedy is unfazed by not knowing weight or possible opponents. He embraces the challenge and uses it to learn more about himself.

“You have to go out there and compete hard and be a fierce competitor,” Kennedy said. “I didn’t go into that (ISU) match and go see what happens. My thoughts were I’m going to go out there, put some points on the board and have fun.

“All the unknowns or weight doesn’t matter.. It’s just about getting better and getting ready to go for the end of the year.”

Kennedy built a 12-4 lead after two periods. He was able to hold on for the win and learned from the match.

“You can battle through pain and anything can happen,” Kennedy said. “You have to stay in there and wrestle all the way.”

The season is too early to determine whether Kennedy could be a permanent fixture at 174, vie for the 165 spot with No. 6 Michael Caliendo or something else. The Hawkeyes are stronger and deeper in the upper weights. Kennedy and Caliendo give them two strong options.

“We had Caliendo in the lineup and we had Kennedy in the lineup,” Brands said of the Iowa State dual. “When you’re putting two guys like that in our lineup, it doesn’t matter what weight they’re at. Pretty good talent right there. Pretty good talent. Pretty good firepower. Pretty good assets and we love it.”

Gabe Arnold earns more honors

Iowa freshman Gabe Arnold garnered another award for his performance for the second straight week. Arnold bumped up a weight class and posted a 3-2 decision over Iowa State’s then-No. 6 184-pounder Will Feldkamp in the Cy-Hawk Series dual Sunday at Hilton Coliseum in Ames. His victory helped Iowa to an 18-14 win and 19th straight against the Cyclones.

Arnold won the Luther Open and followed with two straight dual victories over All-Americans. He made his dual debut against Oregon State, beating 174-pounder Travis Wittlake, 4-2. The win over Feldkamp improved Arnold’s record to 7-0.

Arnold, who was a national champion at Wyoming Seminary (Pa.) Prep before transferring to finish as a Class 3A state champion for Iowa City High, was named NCAA Wrestler of the Week last season.

Interestingly, Arnold is ranked nationally at each weight by different wrestling media outlets. He is ranked 10th at 174 by flowrestling.com and is 10th at 184 by Amateur Wrestling News.

Weekend competition

Iowa will take on Penn Friday at The Palestra, the notable arena in Philadelphia. The Hawkeyes enter the Quakers’ dual opener with a 3-0 record. Iowa is 4-0 all-time against Penn, including a 26-11 win last season at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

Iowa State and Northern Iowa will compete in the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Open on Friday and Saturday. The CKLV will include 15 of the top 20 ranked NCAA Division I teams in the country.

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