Iowa men’s wrestling returns from break with ‘the best way to solve’ lineup options at Soldier Salute

CORALVILLE — Kick butt. Take names. Stake a claim in the lineup.

Iowa men’s wrestling coach Tom Brands said he wants to see that from the Hawkeyes vying for a starting spot in the second half of the season.

“We have options, which is always good,” Brands said. “We want those options to emerge as a clear cut (leader), meaning that there’s no debate because Athlete A is just kicking butt and taking names. That’s the best way to solve it. The best way to solve it is both guys are kicking butt and taking names and they solve it in the finals amongst themselves.”

Eighth-ranked Iowa will have 24 official entrants with a couple more wrestling unattached in the second annual Soldier Salute Open wrestling tournament Friday and Saturday at Xtream Arena. The Hawkeyes will take the mat for the first time since a 38-3 victory over Columbia on Dec. 8.

“It’s good to be back from break,” said Brands, noting that wrestlers are accustomed to handling the holiday interruption. “These guys are professionals in their approach.”

The Hawkeyes have shown their depth this season, posting a 5-0 record. Fifteen Hawkeyes have had at least one start and 14 have logged at least one victory in duals. Four weights have had multiple starters, including three at 133, 174 and 184.

At 133, Brody Teske is ranked for the Hawkeyes, but Cullan Schriever made a successful season debut with a win against Columbia. He received the nod over four possible choices listed that night. Schriever and Teske are the top two seeds with Iowa’s Jace Rhodes and Jesse Ybarra also in the bracket.

The middle-to-upper part of the lineup has been fluid. Patrick Kennedy joined the lineup against Iowa State despite a minor knee surgery and has filled in at 174. He was an NCAA qualifier last season at 165, which has been manned by North Dakota State transfer and All-American Michael Caliendo. They are also seeded Nos. 1 and 2.

Freshman phenom Gabe Arnold is the top seed at 174. He has started at 174 against Oregon State and 184 at Iowa State. He defeated ranked foes in each and has a Luther Open title. No indication has been given whether he will redshirt or be a permanent addition to one of those spots.

Aiden Riggins, who has wrestled 174 and 184 this season, and Aidan McCain are the only two Iowa wrestlers in the 184 bracket.

Fans will get to watch the laundry sort itself in the wash of competition. Brands has always preferred wrestlers determining the pecking order with showings.

“You really want to leave it up to these guys and their performance,” Brands said. “That’s what I look forward to seeing.”

Another item of note is what other wrestlers will be competing this weekend. Brothers Anthony and A.J. Ferrari are wrestling unattached (no official affiliation to a school). A.J. was the 2021 197-pound NCAA champion as a freshman at Oklahoma State. A car accident ended his sophomore campaign early before being dismissed from the program due to legal issues, which have been dismissed. Anthony also originally committed to the Cowboys but never joined the program.

Both have been rumored to be possible second-semester additions to the Iowa program. A.J. is top seeded at 197, while Anthony could face Iowa’s Caleb Rathjen in the second round at 149. The Hawkeyes’ Victor Voinovich III, an Oklahoma State transfer, is the top seed 149.

Iowa’s Nelson Brands and Tony Cassioppi will not compete. Nelson Brands shared on social media that he lost his appeal to a suspension in the sports wagering probe. Cassioppi wrestled in U.S. Senior Nationals, placing fifth in the 213-pound men’s freestyle bracket and qualifying for the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in April. Both will remain on the roster and continue to work with the team.

The Hawkeyes are joined by Big Ten rival Minnesota, North Carolina, Missouri, Oregon State, South Dakota State, Wyoming, Navy, Virginia Military Institute, Northern Iowa and Iowa State with wrestlers in the 332-man field.

“It’s looking good,” Iowa City/Coralville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau and Think Iowa City President Josh Schamberger said. “I’m pretty happy with the teams that are coming and the enthusiasm the event has taken on over the past several months.

“We have quite a few more teams. The women’s side has exploded, which we expected. It’s great to see a lot of big men’s teams coming, too.”

Organizers have worked steadily to build the new holiday tournament that donates its proceeds to the United Service Organizations. Last year, the inaugural tournament raised $13,000 for the USO.

“At the end of the day, we’re very excited about it,” Iowa City Sports Commission member Luke Eustice said. “The support and working with the military … that’s continuing to grow. That was Josh’s vision behind this with his family being in the military. He definitely wants to grow that presence.”

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