Stephen Buchanan has enjoyed competing in first, and only, season with Iowa men’s wrestling program

IOWA CITY – Stephen Buchanan has had success at each stop of his college wrestling career.

He was an All-American at Wyoming and then for Oklahoma.

After a month of competition, Buchanan and second-ranked Iowa are reaping the rewards of a mutually beneficial relationship. The Hawkeyes and their top-ranked 197-pounder will wrestle Princeton and Army in Journeymen Wrestling’s “Uncivil War,” a double dual Friday night at Francis Howell High School in St. Charles, Mo.

“Oh, man, it's been great,” said Buchanan, who is 4-0 with three wins over ranked foes. “I'm not going to lie, new coaching staff, new teammates, just a different way, a different perspective looking at wrestling.

“Wrestling in Carver(-Hawkeye) Arena, too, has been an experience in itself. It has just been a blessing for sure.”

Buchanan is originally from Owen, Wis., and was a two-time state champion for Loyal High School. The approximately five-hour drive is a short distance compared to his previous travels. He appreciates being closer to family in his final year of eligibility after trying to make distant campuses a home away from home.

“Being at Wyoming, being at Oklahoma and now here at Iowa, I think it just helps me to come in with a new perspective on just making the most of out of like every single day that you have because you just don't know when your last day is going to be,” Buchanan said. “And this is my last year and my first year being a Hawkeye, so it's just been a blessing. Being at so many universities, but then finishing here at a university that's ahead of the rest of them.”

Michael Caliendo was one of the new kids on the team last season, transferring from North Dakota State. He knows what it has been like for Buchanan, Kyle Parco and Jacori Teemer, who all joined the Hawkeyes this season. Buchanan has been a leader through his actions and has provided a positive vibe.

“He’s just one of those guys who lead by example,” Caliendo said. “It’s just great to be around.”

Buchanan was a three-time NCAA qualifier, placing eighth and third during his time with the Cowboys. He finished third at 197 for Oklahoma a year ago. He brings a veteran presence sandwiched between young Hawkeye talents like heavyweight Ben Kueter and 184-pounders Gabe Arnold and Angelo Ferrari.

“It's been good,” Buchanan said. “Ben, Arnold and Angelo, these are young guys but they're sharpening me too. I mean these guys are some of the most athletic, sound wrestlers I've wrestled in my career. They're just my practice partners. It's been good for me to sharpen them, but them also sharpen me. I've definitely taken it as like a blessing just to have them. But also, just trying to teach them whatever I can teach them. But honestly, they’re teaching me a lot more, so it's been good for me.”

The young guns and the old veteran scrap in the practice room. They provide different skills and feels for Buchanan to continue to develop his wrestling.

“It's a fight every single day,” Buchanan said. “Angelo, he's one of the hardest people to score on. You’ve got Gabe Arnold, too. He's so crafty, so slick, and you have Kueter, who's so strong and so fast.

“They all have their tools that they use and I'm just able to be in there every single day and just be a part of that.”

Iowa Coach Tom Brands said Buchanan challenges himself and his teammates in a good way. Buchanan’s impact extends beyond his record that includes two technical falls and a major decision..

“Then the other part is he's a pretty doggone, good teammate,” Brands said. “And just a good all-around guy with good character and qualities that really you want on your team, but not just because he's a good guy, but because he's also a winner. And so those qualities that I'm talking about, they come through in his competitive attitude in addition to him being just a great guy, which he is.

“The important part is that it transcends into his wresting, into his competitiveness, so it makes him a better wrestler.”

The Hawkeyes will wrestle Princeton (2-2) first, followed by Army (3-0). Brands said they plan to travel with about 20 wrestlers. Various wrestlers could see action at each weight.

“It's a good event,” Brands said. “You get to have the option to showcase more than one wrestler at a weight if you want to do that. That's important.

“I like dual meets but, in a situation, or an event like this, it makes sense to have multiple teams present.”

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