Ben Kueter readies for his Cy-Hawk Series men’s wrestling dual debut when No. 2 Iowa hosts No. 12 Iowa State

IOWA CITY – Ben Kueter will make his first appearance in the Iowa and Iowa State wrestling rivalry.

The Hawkeyes’ dual-sport athlete was still with the football team last season when the programs battled. He recalled his first indirect experience of the annual competition.

“It was a funny story, actually,” Kueter said. “We were at a football workout. We got done and I ran back into the locker room to catch, I think, it was Gabe (Arnold’s) match. I’m just excited to compete in it.”

Iowa’s redshirt freshman heavyweight will get his first opportunity to wrestle in the Cy-Hawk Series when second-ranked Iowa hosts No. 12 Iowa State Saturday at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. He could face No. 4 Yonger Bastida in one of a handful notable probable matchups.

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Kueter, a four-time undefeated state champion for Iowa City High, grew up in the shadow of the storied rivalry. Like many Iowa youths, he followed and attended some of the meetings. Kueter said he doesn’t have a singular memorable moment from those clashes but he understands the meet’s magnitude.

“I just remember being here, watching the duals,” Kueter said. “That’s about it. It’s a big event, so it’s going to be exciting.”

Iowa has sold out season tickets for the fourth straight season. The Cyclones are looking for their first win since 2004 in the series. If they want to snap a streak of 19 straight losses, they will likely have to do it in front of an enthusiastic crowd.

“It’s going to be awesome,” Kueter said. “It’s Carver-Hawkeye Arena, Saturday dual. It will be good. I’m excited.”

Kueter (3-0) is ranked 12 th currently and will face Bastida for the first time. Bastida was a 2022 All-American, placing fifth at 197 pounds. He moved to heavyweight last year and was effective in the largest class, winning a Big 12 Conference title and going 26-2 with both losses coming at the NCAA tournament.

Tom Brands said his only advice to Kueter is to do what he does best. Kueter said he doesn’t study opponents – he lets coaches do that – and focuses on developing his strengths. The approach is similar to his first three opponents.

“I go into every match with the same mentality,” Kueter said. “It’s just another match. It doesn’t matter who I have.”

Kueter isn’t the only new Hawkeye to the rivalry. Transfers Jacori Teemer (157), Kyle Parco at 149 and 197-pounder Stephen Buchanan will get their first exposure to the Cy-Hawk series.

“I’ve heard a lot about it,” said Teemer, who is from California and transferred from Arizona State. “At least, Iowa has been dominating the past (19) years they said. Just looking to protect home-field advantage and looking forward to the fans coming out and putting on a big performance for the crowd.”

Iowa owns a 69-16-2 advantage in the series that began in 1912. The Hawkeyes have won 34 of the last 35 and 58 of the last 68 meetings. Iowa has claimed the Dan Gable Traveling Trophy all 13 years of its existence.

Brands has enjoyed success against the Cyclones, losing only once to the in-state program. That came when he was an assistant coach in 2023. Brands is 18-0 in the series as a head coach and Iowa never lost to Iowa State when he was a three-time NCAA champion and four-time All-American for the Hawkeyes.

“It’s the same,” Brands said about the rivalry meaning as a wrestler and coach. “It’s the next one on the calendar and I’m not downplaying. This is a big one but it’s the next one on the calendar and you have to get ready to go.

“It doesn’t matter who it is in competition. You would get ready as a competitor and a coach, getting your team ready. Actually, you’re a bystander watching them getting themselves ready and you adjust here and there – minor (adjustments). Wind them up. Send them out. Away we go.”

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