Iowa wrestling’s Gabe Arnold makes statement in home debut victory against Oregon State

IOWA CITY — University of Iowa freshman Gabe Arnold wanted to convey a message.

He took the words of Hawkeyes associate head coach Terry Brands to heart and alerted college wrestling of his arrival.

“I put the world on notice,” Arnold said. “I’m here at 174 pounds. I’m not backing down from anything. I’m ready for it all. Let’s do it.”

Safe to say, Arnold became an instant fan favorite, defeating All-American Travis Wittlake, in his home debut and helping third-ranked Iowa to a 25-11 victory over No. 16 Oregon State Sunday at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

Iowa Coach Tom Brands approved of the confident approach when it’s backed up with action.

“I kind of like that,” Tom Brands said. “Put them on notice. That’s right. And, score a lot of points. Convert when you get an opportunity. He converted when he had an opportunity.”

Hawkeye fans produced bookend eruptions when he was emerged from the tunnel and then when he finished his 4-2 decision. Arnold raised his arms and urged on the applauding fans before shaking hands and bounding off the mat.

“At the end of the day, I put on a show,” Arnold said. “I’m glad everyone enjoyed it. Everyone was still cheering for me so I think an easy word to use right now, especially with Thanksgiving coming up, is gratitude. I’m thankful for the fans, coaches, teammates and everybody, who has played a small role in this next chapter of my life and the chapters before, as well.”

Arnold was born and raised in Georgia before attending Wyoming Seminary Prep School in Kingston, Pa., before concluding his prep career with a state title at Iowa City High. He still had “229” on his shoes, representing the area code of his hometown of Albany, Ga.

He shared a giant hug with his dad, Phil, as he went to leave the arena floor.

“We’ve been doing this journey, wow, since fourth-grade year,” Arnold said about his dad, who wrestled for University of Missouri. “It’s been surreal how far I’ve come. Where I’ve come from.

“I’m from a small town in Georgia. Albany, Ga., born and raised. On the shoes I was wearing in the meet, it said 229. That’s my area code.

“I come from humble beginnings. It’s cool to be where I am now and perform the way I am performing. I plan on continuously doing that and making the hometown proud.”

Arnold scored the lone takedown in his match. After a scoreless first, Arnold escape for a 1-0 lead just 14 seconds into the second period. The true freshman followed with a takedown, shooting in and planting Wittlake into the mat to finish and increase his lead to 4-0.

“I got to that foot and started to drag out a little bit,” Arnold said. “I was like come on. Kept the foot on the mat and came up. Put him down. Put him in the ground. Hammer him down.”

Arnold (6-0) recorded a quality win against the No. 11 wrestler in the country and multiple-time NCAA qualifier. Brands said it probably served as one of the marquee matchups.

“He did a good job,” Tom Brands said. “Now, we build on it.”

The future is still uncertain at 174. All-American Nelson Brands is appealing a suspension and redshirt freshman Aiden Riggins is another option. Arnold can wrestle four matches without officially burning his redshirt this season.

Arnold said he has the goal of being a four-time national champion, whether that begins this season or any after it. He will adhere to his coach’s decision.

“I want to do big things by the time I’m done with this sport,” Arnold said. “Whatever the coaches tell me to do I’m going to do.”

Iowa (2-0) won seven of 10 matches, receiving a technical fall from top-ranked NCAA finalist Real Woods at 141 and major decisions from No. 9 Brody Teske (133) and 197-pounder Zach Glazier.

In the matches Iowa won, it owned a 13-1 edge in final-period takedowns, including Victor Voinovich’s score in sudden victory-1 to beat Nash Singleton, 6-3 at 149.

“Three-point takedowns are a paradise for a guy starts to break it open,” Tom Brands said. “There are bonus-point implications. Bonus points can come quick.”

Tom Brands noted that Oregon State (3-1) controlled the pace of some of the matches. The Beavers were able to keep some matches closer, especially 125. No. 18 Brandon Kaylor scored a late takedown to upend Iowa’s No. 11 Drake Ayala, 7-6, to open the dual.

“They dictated more than we did,” Brands said. “They were strategic. They slowed things down where they probably knew they had to and we did pick up on it at some instances.

“It caught us and bit us big. So, we have to dictate. That’s my point.”

Jared Franek (157) posted a 10-3 decision over Murphy Menke, while Michael Caliendo eclipsed a five-point deficit and stormed back for a 15-10 win over Kanana Fouret at 165.

“I think Caliendo made some really good adjustments during the match,” Brands said. “That’s important. When you’re in a firefight like that, you have to pick up certain things that you’re feeling and then you have to take action to make sure you’re not going down the same path.”

The Hawkeyes face No. 10 Iowa State (3-0) in the Cy-Hawk Series next Sunday at Hilton Coliseum in Ames, beginning at 2 p.m.

“We’re going forward,” Brands said. “A week from today we’re in Ames, Iowa.”

Iowa 25, Oregon State 11

AT IOWA CITY

(Takedowns in parentheses)

125 pounds – Brandon Kaylor (OSU) dec. Drake Ayala, 7-6 (2,1); 133 – Brody Teske (I) major dec. Gabe Whisenhunt, 18-8 (4,2); 141 – Real Woods (I) technical fall Cleveland Belton, 18-3 (4,0); 149 – Victor Voinovich III (I) dec. Nash Singleton, 6-3 (1,1); 157 – Jared Franek (I) dec. Murphy Menke, 10-3 (3,0); 165 – Michael Caliendo (I) dec. Kekana Fouret, 15-10 (4,2); 174 – Gabe Arnold (I) dec. Travis Wittlake, 4-2 (1,0); 184 – Trey Munoz (OSU) technical fall Brennan Swafford, 20-4 (5,0); 197 – Zach Glazier (I) major dec. Justin Rademacher, 14-6 (4,1); Hwt. – Boone McDermott (OSU) dec. Bradley Hill, 4-1 (1,0).

MEET STATISTICS

Takedowns – Iowa 22, Oregon State 14. Reversals – Iowa 0, Oregon State 0. Escapes – Iowa 21, Oregon State 20. Nearfall points – Iowa 4, Oregon State 4. Penalty points (awarded) – Iowa 3, Oregon State 0. Riding time points – Iowa 2, Oregon State 0. Attendance – 14,847.