Freshman Angelo Ferrari drops NCAA runner-up Dustin Plott, drives No. 3 Iowa to wrestling dual win over Oklahoma State

IOWA CITY – On a night to celebrate seniors and recognize a Super Bowl champion, a freshman phenom received the loudest ovation.

Iowa’s 184-pound Angelo Ferrari simply stole the show.

In front of 14,847 spectators and former Hawkeye and Philadelphia Eagles defensive back Cooper Dejean, Ferrari ignited the deafening sold out crowd with a thrilling 6-3 decision in sudden victory over Oklahoma State’s No. 3 Dustin Plott. No. 3 Iowa defeated No. 2 Oklahoma State Sunday night at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

The bout was the fulcrum of the Hawkeyes’ fifth straight win and nine of the last 11 over the Cowboys.

“It was awesome,” Ferrari said. “Going against my brother’s (A.J.) old team and the biggest rivalry in college wrestling, it was the best moment of my wrestling career, so far.”

Iowa held a 14-11 lead with three weights remaining. Ferrari was unfazed against the three-time All-American, two-time Big 12 champion and 2024 national runner-up.

After a scoreless first, Ferrari took control in the second period, answering an escape with his first takedown for a 3-1 lead. Plott added another escape and a riding-time point, forcing overtime with a third-period rideout.

Ferrari initiated more offense during the match, dumping Plott to his hip, hooking a leg after a few attempts and finishing his second shot of the two-minute overtime period. CHA vibrated with excitement.

“I got to score points,” Ferrari said. “it wasn’t my best match. I didn’t finish two or three of my attacks. I pushed through, which I’m glad I did.

“On my worst night, I still have to be the best in the country. I just have to keep getting better.”

Ferrari displayed poise and endured daunting circumstances and fought through scrambles.

“He probably didn’t feel really good out there but he had a lot of guts,” Iowa Coach Tom Brands said. “He made it go his way. That’s a good example for a wrestling room.”

CHA has had its share of powder-keg moments under Brands – Tony Ramos’ win over the Cowboys’ Jordan Oliver, his pins in consecutive home duals against Penn State in 2013 and Michael Kemerer’s wild win over Penn State’s Mark Hall. Maybe this rivaled any home wrestling moment.

“I’ve heard it loud a lot of times,” Brands said. “I don’t hear it as much anymore. I’m getting older and my hearing is bad.”

Ferrari has had notable matches, using all five official competition dates and still maintain his redshirt season. He won the Grand View Open and Soldier Salute and delivered vital wins against Iowa State’s then-No. 15 Evan Bockman and Plott. He also faced Penn State’s four-time NCAA champion Carter Starocci, who won a 2-1 decision.

No moment has seemed to big for him and he’s embraced every chance to compete.

“Why do I train every single day to the max if I don’t want to go against those top guys?” Ferrari said. “I think the five dates I have used are the best dates and there’s a reason.

“The loss to Carter Starocci was probably the best thing for me. I hadn’t lost in like three years, so it lit a fire under me. It really pushed me further than I thought I could go.”

Top-ranked senior Stephen Buchanan has been a drilling partner and a bit of a mentor to Ferrari. He followed with another dual-clinching win, scoring four nearfall in the final period for a 10-1 major decision over No. 6 Luke Surber at 197.

“Solid,” Brands said of Buchanan. “Very solid.”

No. 2 Michael Caliendo and No. 6 Cam Amine faced off for the third time at 165. Caliendo won both meetings last year in sudden victory. The margin was much greater Sunday.

Caliendo provided the first spark with a 10-1 major decision, giving the Hawkeyes a 14-8 after the midway intermission.

“I think I learned a lot about myself this year,” Caliendo said. “I know I can go out and get majors against tough guys. Get bonus points for the team.”

Drake Ayala (133) also added major decisions for the Hawkeyes. Ayala beat Rin Sakamoto, a 2023 U20 World team member for Japan, who made his official debut. Ayala scored three takedowns, including one in the final 30 seconds for an 11-1 major decision, tying the dual, 4-4, through two bouts.

Those bonus-point wins were enough to cancel the Cowboys’ major decisions from Troy Spratley (125), Tagen Jamison at 141 and heavyweight Wyatt Hendrickson.

“Bonus points are important,” Brands said. “Domination is important and it wasn’t easy. There was hard work.

“If you have to work hard and you’re getting bonus points it means your mind is in the right place. You’re headed in the right direction.”

Seniors Kyle Parco and Jacori Teemer won consecutive matches at 149 and 157, giving Iowa a 10-8 advantage at the halfway point.

Iowa improved to 14-1 overall. The Hawkeyes handed Oklahoma State (13-1) its first loss of the season. Iowa doesn’t compete again until the Big Ten Championships on March 8-9 at Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill.

“Good performance as a team,” Brands said. “Still getting better.”

AT IOWA CITY

Iowa 21, Oklahoma State 16

(Individual takedowns in parentheses)

125 pounds – Troy Spratley (OSU) major dec. Joey Cruz, 17-3 (5,0); 133 – Drake Ayala (I) major dec. Rin Sakamoto, 11-1 (3,0); 141 – Tagen Jamison (OSU) major dec. Jace Rhodes, 8-0 (2,0); 149 – Kyle Parco (I) dec. Carter Young, 7-1 (1,0); 157 – Jacori Teemer (I) dec. Caleb Fish, 10-6 (3,0); 165 – Michael Caliendo (I) major dec. Cam Amine, 10-1 (2,0); 174 – Dean Hamiti (OSU) dec. Nelson Brands, 8-1 (2,0); 184 – Angelo Ferrari (I) dec. Dustin Plott, 6-3 SV1 (2,0); 197 – Stephen Buchanan (I) major dec. Luke Surber, 10-1 (1,0); Hwt. – Wyatt Hendrickson (OSU) tech. fall Ben Kueter, 18-3 (4,0)

MEET STATISTICS

Takedowns – Iowa 12, Oklahoma State 13. Reversals – Iowa 0, Oklahoma State 1. Escapes – Iowa 13, Oklahoma State 13. Nearfall points – Iowa 4, Oklahoma State 4. Penalty points (awarded) – Iowa 4, Oklahoma State 2. Riding-time points – Iowa 4, Oklahoma State 4. Total match points – Iowa 61, Oklahoma State 64. Attendance – 14, 847.

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