5 things to watch at the 2024 NWCA National Duals in Cedar Falls

The National Wrestling Coaches Association Multi-Divisional National Duals return to the UNI-Dome. The two-day event includes some of the top teams in NCAA Division II and III and NCAA women’s and NAIA men’s and women’s brackets. Here are a few notable items to watch this weekend in Cedar Falls.

Iowa women take on top programs

Iowa’s women’s wrestling team is ranked No. 1 in the tournament rankings but enters the dual tournament as the No. 2 seed in the NCAA women’s division. The Hawkeyes dominated at the Soldier Salute and own a 7-0 record. They have outscored their opponents, 253-60.

Iowa opens against Adrian (Mich.) College at 2:30 p.m. The winner wrestlers either Presbyterian (S.C.) or New Jersey City University in the quarterfinals. The intriguing duals will come Saturday when the Hawkeyes could meet up with King (Tenn.) University in the semifinals and face a possible showdown with top-seeded North Central (Ill.) College. King and North Central are two of the top women’s programs in the country. King was the NWCA Duals champion last season, beating runner-up North Central. The Cardinals flipped the script on King, winning the National Collegiate Women’s Wrestling Championships in Cedar Rapids

Iowa can really impose its dominance on the women’s scene with a title in its first appearance here.

Coe faces 2023 finalist

Coe is unseeded in the D-III field. The Kohawks are 2-0 this season with wins over Central and Buena Vista. To say this is their toughest test to date (other than the North Central Invitational) is an understatement.

Coe opens with No. 8 Johnson & Wales (R.I.) at noon. The Wildcats were runners-up last year to Augsburg (Minn.) University. The only other time Coe and Johnson & Wales met was in the 2015 Desert Duals in Las Vegas, with the Wildcats winning 20-19.

The Kohawks are at full strength but have had illness run through the team. John Oostendorp said the Wildcats have a talented lineup and will be a tough test to reach the quarterfinals.

If the Kohawks are victorious, the reward is a quarterfinal against Augsburg. So, Coe could face last year’s finalists in its first two duals of 2024.

Upper Iowa takes on No. 1 Central Oklahoma

Upper Iowa has had a good start to the season. The Peacocks have wrestled mostly in individual tournaments and beat Davenport (Mich.) University, 44-6, in their only dual.

Upper Iowa finished fourth at University of Indianapolis’ Midwest Classic before the break and turned heads. It had five medalists in the large D-II dominated field, including a runner-up finish from NCAA champion and former Monticello prep Chase Luensman at 165.

The Peacocks placed sixth last season and received a tough draw this year. They face top-seeded Central Oklahoma in the first round. Upper Iowa is 0-3-1 against the D-II power.

Will Wartburg rebound?

It seems silly to mention Wartburg and rebound in the same sentence. The Knights were third at the duals last season, falling to Johnson & Wales in the semifinals. Wartburg has reached the finals every year except for 2019 and 2023 since the National Duals started this format in 2002. The Knights lead all schools in all divisions with 12 National Duals titles and 18 finals appearances.

Wartburg is the No. 2 seed behind only Augsburg. The Knights are 6-0 with three shutouts. They combined for a 55-5 individual record in those six duals.

The Knights’ trek back to the finals begins against the winner of Loras and Alfred State (N.Y.) at noon. Wartburg could face No. 3 Wisconsin-La Crosse in the semifinals. The Eagles are coached by former Wartburg assistant coach Dave Malecek, who previously coached Cedar Rapids Regis.

Will Grand View’s dominance continue?

Top-ranked Grand View earned the No. 1 seed in the NAIA men’s bracket. The Vikings have ruled this event for more than a decade. Grand View is looking for its 12th straight NWCA National Duals crown.

Grand View opens with William Penn at noon. Life (Ga.) University is the No. 2 seed and was second to Grand View last season.

Comments: kj.pilcher@thegazette.com