Iowa’s Cullan Schriever excited for possible chance to take the mat at Minnesota in Big Ten rivalry dual

Make no mistake. Cullan Schriever is an Iowa guy.

But the three-time state champion from Mason City pointed an interesting fact about his hometown.

“Actually, it's closer from where I grew up to Minneapolis than it is to here (Iowa City),” Schriever said. “I went to a couple of duals there after I committed.”

Schriever is listed in the probable lineup for No. 3 Iowa’s dual against No. 6 Minnesota Friday night at Maturi Pavilion in Minneapolis, beginning at 8 p.m. Schriever could be in line for his fourth straight start for the Hawkeyes.

Schriever recalled trips to watch Iowa duals at Minnesota, including one in 2019 accompanied by future teammate and Minnesota native Patrick Kennedy. They saw former Hawkeye Kaleb Young wow fans with an explosive throw with 10 seconds left to beat Steve Bleise.

“It was that match, so the Iowa-Minnesota rivalry has always been interesting to me because I've been a diehard Hawk fan,” Schriever said. “So, I can't wait to get out there and go.”

Schriever’s only experience competing at Minnesota was an extra match during the 2020-21 Covid impacted season. He could see his first official Border Brawl bout in Minneapolis.

“This one is for real this time,” Schriever said, “so I'm really excited to do that and be a part of that rivalry.”

Schriever (4-7) is listed at 133 but has shared time at 141. Ryder Block owns the most starts with six, while Schriever’s high school teammate, Jace Rhodes, has one. Schriever has wrestled in five duals this season, looking to add his sixth Friday against No. 9 Vance Vombaur.

“We have all options on the table,” Iowa Coach Tom Brands said. “We like all of our guys there.”

Schriever has another chance to improve his stock as Iowa’s top 141 choice. His approach is similar to any contest.

“It's kind of the same every match for me,” Schriever said. “It's wrestle my match, so I think if I can wrestle my match, get to where I want to be, my ties, wrestle my pace, I have a good shot against anybody.

“It's more focusing on where I where I need to be and taking advantage of that, I would say.”

Schriever has battled injury and faced adversity at times in his career. He noted that no one is immune of hardship. The key is the reaction and he has handled everything directly, posting 37 career wins and vying for a postseason spot.

“There's adversity for everybody,” Schriever said. “For me, I’ve been injured a few times and whatnot. I don’t even necessarily look at it that way. The response is just something I do. I don’t have to think about it.

“It's just how I how I was raised, first of all. It was how I was brought up through Sebolt Wrestling Academy and all that. Now, here, if anything gets thrown your way, you weather it, you respond to it, and you keep moving forward. That's kind of my mentality.”

Iowa’s probable lineup does include Nelson Brands with Kennedy at 174. NCAA finalists Drake Ayala and Jacori Teemer are listed at 133 and 157. Gabe Arnold is the lone Hawkeye listed at 184. Nelson Brands has not wrestled since Dec. 6 against Princeton.

“We have a lot of options,” Brands said. “We have guys getting healthy. When we have two guys at a weight, then we're going to consider all options. And sometimes things are in your control and sometimes things are out of your control. And so, we got to take advantage of the things that are in our control when that happens.”

The Golden Gophers (10-1, 6-1) are coming off a win over then-No. 4 Ohio State and are an intriguing matchup. Minnesota is powered by Olympic gold medalist, two-time Hodge Trophy winner and top-ranked heavyweight Gable Steveson, No. 4 Max McEnelly (185), No. 8 197-pounder Isaiah Salazar and Tommy Askey, who is ranked seventh at 157.

Brands said the Hawkeyes have to score points by the “bushelful” throughout all three periods. He noted the need to have fun, wrestle with some pizzazz and keep building.

“It's crunch time now,” said Iowa’s No. 2 Michael Caliendo, who is expected to wrestle No. 10 Andrew Sparks at 165. We’re getting close. If there's any time to be doing our best wrestling, now's the time.”

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