Iowa’s Ben Kueter and Gabe Arnold share wrestling journey

IOWA CITY – University of Iowa’s Ben Kueter and Gabe Arnold have shared part of their wrestling journey.

The duo had successful high school careers that overlapped their senior seasons at Iowa City High. They transitioned to college and started a few matches before redshirting. Both entered this season with high expectations.

“I know, for Kueter, it’s been a dream of his to wrestle on this team and being in this starting lineup since he was yay high (alluding to young child’s height) and now he’s yay high (referring to Kueter’s 6-foot-3 frame,” Arnold said during the team’s media day in October. “We shared that same dream when we were seniors in high school together. Now, that dream is coming to fruition.

Kueter and Arnold are among those listed in the initial probable lineup for the Big Ten Conference dual opener Sunday at Wisconsin. The second-ranked Hawkeyes have dominated the series against the Badgers, winning 12 straight and 43 of the last 44 meetings.

Kueter and Arnold are both 8-1. Arnold is ranked fifth at 184, while Kueter is No. 13 at heavyweight, nationally.

“It’s exciting,” Kueter said during media day. “Gabe is probably my best friend. So, it’s fun to come in here, grind with him, go hang out and eat food after.

“It’s fun to see where his wrestling is going and where my wrestling is going.”

The pair aren’t afraid to mix it up with one another. At the start of the season, Arnold said he and Kueter scrap on the mat “every now and then.” Arnold showed his sense humor when asked about it.

“(Iowa Coach) Tom (Brands) has to keep me away from him because I beat him sometimes a little too much,” Arnold said with a smile. “We try to keep his ego really high and keep him ready to go. Every chance I get I like to still scrap with him a little bit.”

  Buy Photo

Kueter, an age-level World champion and 2024 U20 World silver medalist, has been able to focus solely on wrestling. He didn’t even start last season until this point without a break from his football responsibilities.

Kueter was also a standout football and baseball player, as well as running some track, at City High. He couldn’t recall the last time he concentrated on just one sport.

“I was joking with my parents about this,” said Kueter, noting he still planned to rejoin football in the spring. “It’s the first time I’ve really done this since I started playing sports. I was always on to something, thinking about multiple things. It feels pretty good to focus on one thing for now.”

Kueter claims superiority in off-the-mat activities, especially video games. Kueter, Arnold and other Hawkeye teammates play Call of Duty Black Ops 6, which was released in the fall.

“I’m not that good. Nelson Brands is the best Black Ops player, for sure,” Kueter said. “I’m way better than Gabe. I beat Gabe in anything that we do.”

Kueter is one of just seven undefeated four-time state champions in Iowa high school history, going 111-0 as a Little Hawk. Arnold was a two-time national prep champion at Wyoming Seminary (Pa.) and joined City High as a senior. Both stood atop the podium in Des Moines in 2023.

  Buy Photo

Arnold said it is cool to share the moments and memories with Kueter. The have experienced the strain of training, the excitement of competition and everything in-between.

“It’s awesome to have a guy like that in your corner,” said Arnold, who is listed with freshman Angelo Ferrari in the probable lineup. “It’s awesome to call him one of my best friends. I can’t wait to decimate the world this year. It’s going to be a fun time.”

Iowa is 6-0 overall this season and are coming off a tournament victory at the Soldier Salute on Dec. 30. Wisconsin is 4-4 and has not beaten Iowa in Madison, Wis., since 1945.

Well before Kueter’s and Arnold’s journey started.

Comments: kj.pilcher@thegazette.com