Iowa men’s wrestling gets an All-American and a leader in North Dakota State transfer Jared Franek

IOWA CITY — Jared Franek didn’t visit the University of Iowa when he was in high school.

The USA Wrestling freestyle national champion and four-time state titlist at West Fargo (N.D.) High School elected to stay close to home at North Dakota State.

When he stepped into the portal as a graduate transfer and received a call from the Iowa men’s wrestling coaching staff, he was ready to make the 537-mile drive he didn’t as a prep.

“Right away when I talked to them, I knew I wanted to come down on a visit,” Franek said during the Hawkeyes’ annual media day last week at the Dan Gable Wrestling Complex in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. “I knew what I was looking for and that was the biggest difference.”

Second-ranked Iowa secured an All-America middle weight who is in its probable lineup for the season-opening dual Saturday against Cal Baptist in Riverside, Calif. Franek is coming off a fourth-place finish at the NCAA Championships in March and started the season No. 2 in the national rankings by Flowrestling and WIN Magazine.

“There was a lot of change in my program this last year with coaches changing and partners leaving. A lot of shifting,” Franek said. “I was looking for my best opportunity to capitalize and put myself in the best position to win a national title.”

Franek won 92 matches for the Bison, winning a Big 12 title last season and making his fourth national tournament appearance. He steps into a weight that could include returning NCAA qualifier Cobe Siebrecht, redshirt freshman Aiden Riggins, Bretli Reyna and others.

Franek is joined at Iowa by former NDSU teammate and All-American Michael Caliendo, who is listed at 165 for Saturday. Former Oklahoma State 149-pound NCAA qualifier Victor Voinovich is another transfer expected to be in Iowa’s lineup.

“They’re awesome,” said Iowa Coach Tom Brands, noting that the staff utilized the portal to help with the transition as uncertainty surrounds the Hawkeyes’ lineup. “They're not just new additions. Two of them are All-Americans, and one of them was in the Round of 12. These are good wrestlers that we know because we looked at them when they were in high school. We looked at these guys. We know where they come from. We know where their strengths were as high school wrestlers. They were on our watch list. We recruited them. So, we’re excited to have them all.”

Franek admitted Caliendo also choosing Iowa made adaptation less challenging.

“A big adjustment but we live together,” Franek said. “We were together for two years at NDSU. Just being able to build that relationship made it a little bit easier of a transition here.”

Brands and his twin brother, Terry, Iowa’s associate head coach, were big attractions for Franek. Not only have they won national and world titles, but they have led wrestlers to the top of the awards stand in March. Franek considered them, and wrestlers in the practice room, the best option to achieve his goal.

“These coaches have done it themselves,” Franek said. “They’ve coached guys to do it, so being able to trust in them. They’ve been there and having really good partners from the guys on the team at all the weights around me, as well as the RTC (Regional Training Center) guys.

“Everyone gives a different feel and is very accomplished. Being able to pick apart and figure out things that I’m struggling at, my weaknesses, with those guys that are really good at those certain positions is going to help me be able to grow and get better throughout the season.”

Franek said he has visualized wrestling in front of a packed Carver crowd. He said he is excited for the challenge of controlling his emotions and being able to put on a show for fans in a frenzied atmosphere. His first chance could be Nov. 19 against Oregon State.

“Everybody knows Iowa wrestling,” Franek said. “Just passionate fans for every sport here. I’m excited for being able to wrestle in front of a crowd like that. I’ve never really had something like that.”

It isn’t all about what the program can do for Franek. He arrived in Iowa City knowing he could make the program better. Franek said he came to Iowa knowing he would inherit leadership duties, demonstrating his work ethic and approach to the sport.

“When I came here, I expected to be a leader,” Franek said. “Just holding myself to that standard. That was big for me at my old school. Not only being a leader on the mat and doing well but being a leader off it.”

Franek made strides last season, posting his best NCAA finish after round-of-12 losses in 2021 and 2022. He claimed a spot on the podium and then climbed his way midway up the stand.

“I was proud of the way I performed,” Franek said. “The way I came back last year. Obviously, there is only one goal and that’s to be a national champ. Anything less than that is selling myself short.”

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