Stanford All-American, Iowa City West state champion Hunter Garvin enthused with wrestling homecoming

Hunter Garvin waited until the national tournament to wrestle in front of his friends and family last year.

The NCAA Championships in Kansas City, Mo., was the only convenient competition to attend. Just a difficulty when the former Iowa City West three-time state champion and four-time state finalist opted to continue his wrestling career at Stanford.

Garvin was thrilled to see not one, but two, duals in his home state this season.

“I'm super excited that I’m going to be back around there,” the Stanford 165-pound All-American sophomore said. “It's an awesome opportunity because I get to see my family. With us being on the West Coast, I don't get to see my family as much and they don't get to see me compete. They didn’t get to see me compete a lot last year. I'm excited with our schedule.”

Stanford’s swing through the state begins Friday at No. 6 Iowa State in Ames, starting at 5 p.m. Garvin and the Cardinals travel to his hometown for a dual against No. 2 Iowa at Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Saturday at 1 p.m.

“I'm really interested to see whether I get love or hate from the crowd,” Garvin said with a laugh, “but it won’t affect me at all. There’s nothing but excitement going into this weekend.”

Some of the same family and friends that will fill seats to watch him Saturday were the same ones that sat by his side at Iowa home duals as a youth and accomplished prep wrestler. Garvin, the lone Iowa prep on Stanford’s roster, had fond memories of being immersed in the Hawkeye crowds, but knows what awaits him as the foe.

“I lived there my whole life and we’d always go to duals,” said Garvin, who said he expects to see some red in the crowd. “It’s cool to see the Iowa-Oklahoma State beef and Iowa-Penn State beef. The matches were electric there and the crowd is exciting to be around.

“It’s funny how the table’s turned. Now, they still get to go there but they are on the opposing side.”

Garvin has come back tries to stop at his old stomping grounds, including Big Game Wrestling Club in North Liberty and West High when he returns. He might help with a camp or clinic, giving back to the sport that has been a big part of his life.

West Coach Nate Moore said he plans to take about 30 kids to the dual and watch Garvin face All-American and No. 2 Michael Caliendo.

“Hunter has always been a good example on and off the mat for our guys,” Moore said. “He is a great wrestler and an even better human. He is a walking living example of how to be a college athlete. He makes the team, the school, and the community proud. We are excited to watch him compete this weekend.”

Garvin is ranked as high as third nationally by Wrestling Insider Newsmagazine. He is coming off a breakout year where he won 25 matches and placed sixth at the national tournament with two of his losses coming to NCAA champions David Carr, Iowa State, and Missouri’s Keegan O’Toole.

“Last year was a huge door that was opened,” said Garvin, who is 1-1 this season with an 11-9 loss to Utah Valley’s No. 7 and former Penn State wrestler Terrell Barraclough. “I felt that, as (Stanford assistant coach) Sean Gray said, I really unlocked myself to find what potential I have. I had no expectations going into the national tournament and becoming an All-American was an experience but one to say where here, we can do this and what more can we accomplish. It’s helped me set my goals higher.

“I’ve taken a lot from that tournament training-wise has been more focused. I found out who I am and where I am the strongest.”

Garvin went to Stanford just as it was rising from the chopping block. He trained with former NCAA titlist Shane Griffith. Then, he endured a coaching change that saw former Cornell University Coach Rob Koll come to town and leave to take over at North Carolina.

Former Princeton Coach Chris Ayres is now the Stanford skipper, bringing in former Tiger Patrick Brucki and Gray, who wrestled at Virginia Tech and coached with Ayres at Princeton for 13 years.

Brucki and Gray helped him train for his Greco-Roman endeavors, which led to a spot on the 2024 U23 U.S. World Team that competed in Tirana, Albania. He went 1-1, beating an Iranian opponent in the opener and losing to a semifinalist from Uzbekistan.

Garvin praised all of his coaches but noted he has bonded the most while working with Gray. He recalled a conversation with Gray immediately after a lackluster loss in the Pac-10 Championships final. Gray explained that Garvin was doing himself a disservice by not using his gifts to their fullest, failing to wrestle the same in competition as he does in practice and putting too much pressure on himself.

“He was saying the things I needed to hear and I took no bitterness out of that conversation,” Garvin said. “I went into his office the next day or day after and said you say jump and I will say how high. I’m the athlete and you’re the coach. You’re here for a reason. That’s what sent us into the national tournament.”

Interestingly, Stanford will be in the region for four dates. The Cardinals are set to wrestle at Northwestern’s Ken Kraft Midlands Championships at the end of December. They also have a dual against Missouri at Columbia, Mo., Jan. 12.

“Last year, they were only able to go to NCAA’s, which was awesome,” Garvin said. “This year, they will be able to go to a bunch more, thankfully. … It’s super special. It’s an awesome opportunity because we’re not the wealthiest family in the world. To have a dual in Iowa city, have a dual in Ames, it’s super special to me. A lot of family in the area, who don’t get to see me, get to come.

“I know my parents are really proud of me and they’re really happy that I’m here at Stanford. I’m wrestling still and thank God I’m still doing OK in it. It’s super cool to represent my family that way.”

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