Cobe Siebrecht wows crowd with dominant performance in top-ranked Iowa wrestling’s dual win against No. 21 Princeton

IOWA CITY — The moment was in Cobe Siebrecht’s mind earlier in the week.

The University of Iowa sophomore sat in bed, thinking about the possibility of making his dual debut, being one of three 149-pounders listed in the Hawkeyes’ probable wrestling lineup.

Siebrecht earned the nod and wowed the crowd, posting a first-period technical fall in top-ranked Iowa’s 32-12 victory over No. 21 Princeton in front of a crowd of 14,905 Friday night at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

“I was a little more nervous, wrestling in front of 14,000 people,” Siebrecht said after his 16-1 win over Josh Breeding. “I haven’t done that before. It was electric. It was insane.”

The former Lisbon state champion and three-time state finalist captured the Luther Open title last Saturday with two technical falls and a decision over Wartburg All-American Kris Rumph.

The result influenced the decision. He received a medical forfeit in the final over teammate Bretli Reyna and Iowa national qualifier Vince Turk placed third in the bracket.

“There are three guys who are capable,” Hawkeyes Coach Tom Brands said. “There’s depth and we’ll see where it goes.

“We certainly like what we see.”

Originally, Siebrecht was going to wrestle one match, recovering from “stuff in the past.” He said he felt good and wrestled the entire tournament. Siebrecht continued to prepare as the starter, even though Reyna or Turk could have been picked.

“In my mind, I was going,” Siebrecht said. “I was staying ready.”

If you ventured to get a Carver Cone, you would have missed Siebrecht throttle Breeding. He needed just 2:35 for match termination with a few big moves that ignited the fans and the Hawkeyes bench.

“I can hear them,” Siebrecht said. “Normally, I can’t hear a crowd when I’m wrestling but this crowd I could, which was awesome.”

Siebrecht got on the board with a big counter. He then notched 12 nearfall points, rolling through for one tilt and utilizing a trapped-arm tilt on the edge for another.

He released Breeding and ended the bout with his second takedown.

“He kind of got that near-arm, far-leg on me right away and then I kind of hit a headlock,” Siebrecht said. “I just kept picking his wrist. I was like I’ll keep riding him, getting these turns.”

Senior NCAA runner-up Jaydin Eierman tussles with Siebrecht in practice. Eierman said Siebrecht shares his knack for big moves that awe fans.

“Cobe is long and lanky,” said Eierman, who won by major decison at 141. “He’s going to hit some crazy things.

“It’s great. We train together. I feel it sometimes.”

Siebrecht wasn’t the only Hawkeye with a dominant debut. Myles Wilson, who recently competed at the U23 Wolrd Championships, started at 184. He also won by technical fall, beating Forest Belli, 23-8.

They are a sign of Iowa’s depth.

“We have a lot of options,” Brands said. “We like our personnel. I am confident we are going to get better as we go forward.

Jesse Ybarra stepped in for three-time NCAA champion Spencer Lee at 125, collecting a forfeit.

Nelson Brands, the starter at 184 last season, recorded a major decision at 174, which has been manned by NCAA finalist Michael Kemerer.

Zach Glazier made his debut at 197, instead of All-American Jacob Warner.

Brands said the Hawkeyes’ best lineup may change by the end of the season. He makes and owns the decision who wrestles and he can sleep well knowing he has capable competitors that are not simple reserves.

“You feel good that you have guys that are hungry for the mat and want to be in there,” Brands said. “They aren’t just filling in.”

Austin DeSanto (133) won by technical fall over Nick Masters. Alex Marinelli beat Grant Cuomo, 12-5, at 165.

The shocker came in the finale. Heavyweight Tony Cassioppi scored the opening takedown and looked for a turn when the Tigers’ Jack Del Garbino rolled through, catching the All-American and U23 World champion on his back for a fall in 2:07.

“It’s November (and) you better learn from it,” Brands said. “Things like that happen and it’s not a fluke. There is a reason for it. It’s not without reason. It didn’t just happen and you have to be able to feel that stuff.”

In a battle of ranked wrestlers, seventh-ranked Quincy Monday used three takedowns to defeat No. 6 Kaleb Young, 9-5, at 157.

At intermission, Clarissa Chun was introduced to the CHA crowd that responded with a lengthy standing ovation. Iowa announced Thursday that Chun was hired as the first head coach for the school’s women’s wrestling program that will begin competing in the 2023-24 season.

Iowa (1-0) hosts Oregon State on Saturday at 2 p.m.

AT IOWA CITY

Iowa 32, Princeton 12

(Individual takedowns in parentheses)

125 pounds - Jesse Ybarra (I) won by forfeit; 133 - Austin DeSanto (I) technical fall Nick Masters, 22-6 (7,0); 141 - Jaydin Eierman (I) major dec. Jacob Mann, 15-7 (6,0); 149 - Cobe Siebrecht (I) tech. fall Josh Breeding, 16-1 (2,0); 157 - Quincy Monday (P) dec. Kaleb Young, 9-5 (3,0); 165 - Alex Marinelli (I) dec. Grant Cuomo, 12-5 (3,1); 174 - Nelson Brands (I) major dec. Mikey Squires, 16-8 (6,1); 184 - Myles Wilson (I) tech. fall Forest Belli, 23-8 (10,0); 197 - Luke Stout (P) dec. Zach Glazier, 4-0 (1,0); Hwt. - Jack Del Garbino (P) pinned Tony Cassioppi, 2:07 (0,1)

MEET STATISTICS

Takedowns - Princeton 6, Iowa 35. Reversals - Princeton 3, Iowa 3. Escapes - Princeton 30, Iowa 8. Nearfall points - Princeton 0, Iowa 24. Penalty points (awarded) - Princeton 0, Iowa 0. Riding-time points - Princeton 2, Iowa 3. Total match points - Princeton 50, Iowa 111. Attendance - 14,905.