Iowa wrestling returns the favor with dual at Army

IOWA CITY — Iowa is returning the favor.

Last season, Army swooped in and saved the day when the Hawkeyes needed to salvage a competition date after travel issues prevented Oregon State from reaching Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

The Black Knights filled in on short notice and Iowa kept its supporters’ appetites satisfied with an early-season dual.

“It was awesome,” Iowa Coach Tom Brands said. “It was awesome for us and our fans. If you remember, it was a day late. It could have been a mess. It wasn’t. So, good for us and our relationship. Next year, we said we’d go out and see you. Here we are. It is next year and we’re going out to see them.”

Second-ranked Iowa (1-0) will wrestle Army (1-1) at 6 p.m. (CT) Thursday at West Point, N.Y., before competing at Arm Bar at the Armory against Buffalo and Sacred Heart Friday night in Albany, N.Y. The Hawkeyes own a 3-1 record against Army and are 3-0 against Buffalo. This marks Iowa’s first dual with Pioneers.

“I was just talking about not being to New York before,” Iowa 197-pound NCAA finalist Jacob Warner said. “That will be pretty cool. West Point will be a cool experience.

“Most people don’t know this (but) Abe Assad was committed there before Iowa, so give him a little bit of (crap), going to his alma mater. Looking forward to it.”

Army Coach Kevin Ward said last year’s effort took about 30 minutes from start to finish, balancing the dual with a dual with Iowa State and still competing in the Harold Nichols Open.

At the time, Ward said, “I’m glad it worked out. I appreciate them thinking of us and calling us and excited these guys got the opportunity to compete here.”

The flexibility and willingness to produce a show for fans is good for wrestling.

“I think when you’re in a bind and somebody like that steps up, and there was really no hesitation, Coach Ward, he comes from a good place in the sport,” Brands said. “I think he understands as well as anybody that it’s competitive and sometimes you step up. That doesn’t happen all the time, so we owe them.”

Iowa will take in some of the surroundings and maybe meet with some alumni, but it remains a business opportunity.

“We have to get ready to go,” Brands said. “It will be a good environment.

“You culture yourself to other parts of the country or world when you visit. Keeping our guys ready is primary.”

Iowa (1-0) will field a similar team to the one that handled California Baptist (which was also willing to step in for Oregon State last season), 42-3, Sunday. Familiar faces like Warner, heavyweight Tony Cassioppi, Max Murin (149), Abe Assad (184) and new 165-pounder Patrick Kennedy are in the probable lineup along with a few new faces.

Spencer Lee and Real Woods are not expected to compete with Aidan Harris and Drew Bennett listed at 125 and 141, respectively. Brody Teske and Cullan Schriever are still competing for the 133 spot, while Cobe Siebrecht and Caleb Rathjen are said to each get at least one match this road trip.

Drake Rhodes wrestled at 174 against Cal Baptist, winning by major decision, presumably wrestling for Nelson Brands or Brennan Swafford.

“We have a lot of young guys,” Cassioppi said. “They’re doing good. They’re working hard.

“Drake Rhodes pops into my head. He looked really good in the dual. We just have a bigger group of like-minded individuals. It’s awesome.”

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