Articles Tagged: Drake Ayala

Second-ranked Iowa hosts No. 12 Iowa State in the 88th installment of the CyHawk Series wrestling dual Saturday at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Here are five things to watch in the annual clash.

University of Iowa wrestled former Hawkeye Ned Shuck’s Bellarmine men’s program, which is in its first year of NCAA Division I postseason eligibility. The No. 2 Hawkeyes beat the Knights, 49-0, Saturday in Louisville, Ky.

NCAA finalist Drake Ayala is a leader for the second-ranked Iowa men’s wrestling team. He has embraced that role and prefers to let his actions on and off the mat do the talking.

The second-ranked Hawkeyes won eight matches, Ryder Block, Kyle Parco and Stephen Buchanan won their Iowa debut and posted a 30-7 victory over Oregon State.

Iowa’s men’s wrestling team welcomes three All-America transfers, who could solidify the No. 2-ranked Hawkeyes. They will join a lineup with NCAA finalist Drake Ayala, All-Americans Nelson Brands and Michael Caliendo and young talents Gabe Arnold, Ben Kueter and Ryder Block.

Iowa State’s David Carr cemented his place in Iowa State history and propelled the Cyclones ahead of rival Iowa. The Hawkeyes brought an end to an irregular season. Northern Iowa’s Parker Keckeisen made a statement in dominance and fashion during the Wrestling Weekend That Was.

The NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships are set for the finals. Here are some takeaways from the tournament heading into the championship bouts.

Iowa’s Drake Ayala declared the 125-pound weight class “mine” earlier this season. He’s one win away from making that statement reality at the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships. Iowa State’s David Carr and Northern Iowa’s Parker Keckeisen advanced to the finals for a second straight year after settling for second in 2023.

Iowa, Iowa State, UNI and former Iowa preps have compelling stories that could play out at the NCAA Division I Wrestlin Championships this week at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Mo.

Iowa has six wrestlers seeded third or better and the competition for postseason spots has been settled. The Hawkeyes will look to try to improve last year’s runner-up finish at the Big Ten Championships March 9-10 at Maryland.

The Big Ten Conference announced the pre-seeds Monday for conference tournament this weekend at University of Maryland in College Park, Md. The Hawkeyes have six seeded third or better.

Fourth-ranked Iowa won seven matches, including Michael Caliendo’s victory over No. 3 Izzak Olejnik at 165, Patrick Kennedy’s major decision at 174 and a sudden victory decision by 125-pounder Drake Ayala, in a 22-9 win over No. 2 Oklahoma State Sunday in Stillwater, Okla.

Top-ranked Penn State won eight matches, including five with bonus points, dominating No. 3 Iowa, 29-6, Friday night at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Penn State Coach Cael Sanderson earned his 200th career dual win with the Nittany Lions.

Iowa wrestling 125-pounder Drake Ayala has ascended the rankings and owns the No. 1 spot in three of four national polls. He has won four straight against ranked foes and will take on NCAA finalist Matt Ramos when Iowa hosts Purdue Friday at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

Third-ranked Iowa improved to 6-0 overall and 1-0 with a victory at No. 6 Nebraska on Friday. The Hawkeyes host No. 10 Minnesota in a rare Monday night dual at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.