Wempen commits to wrestle for Hawkeyes

Matt Wempen admired the University of Iowa wrestlers he watched as a youth.

Now, he is one of them.

Wempen announced Friday that he verbally committed to wrestle for the Hawkeyes and head coach Tom Brands. Wempen was a four-time state medalist for Linn-Mar, winning the Class 3A 106-pound title in 2012.

'I've been going down there for practice since I was in second grade,” Wempen said. 'I've always looked up to those Hawkeye wrestlers. I can be one of those guys.”

Wempen posted a 135-12 career record for the Lions, placing fifth or better at state including a third-place finish in February. He adds to the Linn-Mar connection to Iowa City, which includes NCAA champions Jay Borschel and Matt McDonough and Lions head coach Doug Streicher, who wrestled for Dan Gable.

The coaching staff was a major influence on his decision. Wempen aspires to be a national champion and he is confident Brands, associate head coach Terry Brands and assistant Ryan Morningstar will help reach that level.

'I believe the Brands Brothers are the best coaches in the nation,” Wempen said. 'If I want to reach my goal of being a national champion the best coaches are in Iowa City. I think this is my best shot.”

Wempen talked with multiple programs and also considered Northern Illinois. Iowa was his top choice, by far. Iowa also offered Sports Management studies that interested Wempen.

'I really made academics a factor,” Wempen said. 'Iowa had the program for my major so it was a good fit.”

Wempen projects to be a 141 or 149 pounds in college. He will join a crowded room of middleweights. Wempen likes the idea of training with a group of talented teammates.

'We're going to be wrestling each other every single day for the next five years,” Wempen said. 'That's just going to make us all better.”

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