Iowa, Oklahoma State continue outside-the-box efforts to grow wrestling with Bout at the Ballpark

Michael Kemerer had been on the University of Iowa campus for a couple of months when he experienced Grapple on the Gridiron.

He recalled the excitement around the event, how everything, like the weather, fell into place and the workouts to prepare for that opener against rival Oklahoma State in Kinnick Stadium that drew a record crowd of 42,287 on Nov. 14, 2015.

The seventh-year senior said he appreciates that memorable day more.

“Obviously, it was an amazing day, an amazing experience,” Kemerer said about the dual Iowa won, 18-16. “That was our first couple months on campus. First Iowa dual meet as a member of the team was that dual meet, so it was a pretty good way to start things.”

Kemerer and the second-ranked Hawkeyes are about to repay the favor to the 12th-ranked Cowboys, competing in the Bout at the Ballpark on Saturday night at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, beginning at 8. The annual dual between college wrestling’s most storied programs will be held in conjunction with men’s freestyle matches, following women’s freestyle competition and a youth takedown tournament.

Iowa Coach Tom Brands praised the organizers of the event, Oklahoma State Coach John Smith and his administration for their work and communication.

“We’re going to be in a world-class facility on a world-class stage. We’re fired up about it,” Brands said. “Our guys are wired to wrestle in environments that favor a lot of people to turn their head and pay attention. This thing has been billed as a main event for a long, long time. There have been some things that have fallen through on the international side of things and that hasn’t been a hiccup at all in this college dual.

“It just shows how important college wrestling is on the world stage, on the biggest stage of all of athletics.”

The aim of these out-of-the-box affairs is to help wrestling expand at all levels. Texas, which is void of college wrestling programs, has witnessed a boom in participation at the high school and youth levels. The cause is powered by having the two marquee programs in the country lead the way.

“I think it helps grow the sport,” Iowa 141-pound NCAA finalist Jaydin Eierman said. “It’s good to see it keep evolving and try to give the fans something to interact with more. They’re going to be closer more maybe. It’s just good to see them try new things and try to help promote the sport more and more.

“It’s going to be interesting for people to be like, ‘Wrestling on a mat, let’s tune in and watch.’ Hopefully, let’s grow it and get more viewers and more fans.”

The Hawkeyes have wrestled in many high-profile tournaments. They have wrestled in conference and national championships. They have wrestled overseas in international competitions. Iowa has also stepped in front of intimidating sold-out crowds at Penn State and Oklahoma State.

“I think the awesomeness of college wrestling affords big programs these environments,” Brands said. “We’ve been to a sold-out Bryce Jordan. We’ve been to a sold-out Gallagher-Iba Arena. Those aren’t friendly places to wrestle. We’ve been to Kinnick Stadium. A pretty friendly place. Huge. Huge crowd.

“I don’t know if it’s just having the experience of wrestling in that type of environment as much as you’re used to wrestling in that type of environment.“

Globe Life Field is home to the Texas Rangers. Kemerer, a devoted Pittsburgh Pirates follower from Murrysville, Pa, has never been there on his trip to various Major League Baseball venues. He wasn’t sure what wrestlers will be able to see and do outside of their training schedule, but can still cross off one more locale off his list.

“As far as wrestling in the Rangers ballpark, that’s pretty cool,” Kemerer said. “I’m a big baseball fan, actually. I like to go to different stadiums and stuff. I’ve never been down to that stadium, so it’s kind of a different kind of way to experience it, but I’m excited for that.”

Even with all the attention and distractions leading up and surrounding the contest, the approach remains the same as any of the previous 13 duals.

“It doesn’t change the fact that you’re out there wrestling a seven-minute college wrestling match,” Kemerer said. “That kind of thing doesn’t change. “Just a little bit more in your preparation, knowing that things are going to maybe look a little bit different and it’s a little bit different of a stage. Just being ready for that.”

Iowa (12-1) has won five of the last seven meetings between the two programs. The Cowboys (11-3) have lost three of their last four, including duals to Iowa State and Northern Iowa. The teams combine for 19 ranked wrestlers with the Cowboys’ NCAA champion 197-pounder A.J. Ferrari out of the lineup after being injured in a car accident last month.

The Hawkeyes have two wrestlers listed at the lightest two weights. Drake Ayala and Jesse Ybarra are both in the probable lineup at 125, while Cullan Schriever is included with All-American Austin DeSanto at 133.

“It’s a historical rivalry,” Kemerer said. “There have been a lot of iconic matches over the years.

“Just growing up being a college wrestling fan I remember watching Iowa-Oklahoma State. One of my favorite duals to watch and now getting to be a part of it has been awesome.”

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