Men’s college wrestling notes: Iowa Coach Tom Brands approaches 300 career dual victories

IOWA CITY – Iowa Coach Tom Brands is approaching a milestone.

In his 20 th season as college wrestling head coach, including the last 18 with the Hawkeyes, Brands is just two from 300 career dual victories.

Second-ranked Iowa will face Princeton and Army in a double-dual at Journeymen Wrestling’s “Uncivil War” on Friday at Francis Howell High School in St. Charles, Mo. Brands could join Dan Gable (355-21-5) as the only Iowa coaches to reach the 300-win plateau.

Brands said he had no idea about the chance to reach the feat.

“Sometimes you're aware of it more,” Brands said. “On this one, this is the first time I've heard that.”

Iowa has opened the season 4-0. Brands improved his overall career record to 298-47-1. He owns a 281-27-1 record with the Hawkeyes. He is 134-14 in Big Ten Conference duals and 135-14 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

“That's not a big deal,” Brands continued. “What's the big deal is that we got a lot of work to do and we got a lot of guys in that wrestling room that like doing the work and get better every day.

“So, that's the most important thing. From there, we have to keep getting better. All these guys are coming.”

Brands has led Iowa to at least 11 dual wins in each season not shortened by the Covid pandemic. The Hawkeyes went 5-0 in that 2020-21 season limited to Big Ten duals.

Iowa is 4-1 all-time against Army, including a 2-0 mark under Brands. The Hawkeyes are 4-0 in duals with Princeton.

QUESTIONS AT 157 FOR IOWA

Iowa’s probable lineup has a couple of interesting either/or weights. At 125 pounds, Joey Cruz and Kale Petersen are both listed again. All-American Nelson Brands and Patrick Kennedy, who posted an impressive technical fall against Iowa State, are both included at 174. Cullan Schriever is added as an option with Ryder Block at 141.

The odd listing is TBA (to be announced) at 157 pounds. Top-ranked Jacori Teemer injury defaulted during the win over the Cyclones. The roster has Teemer and former West Burlington-Notre Dame state champion Isaiah Fenton list at 157. Freshman Miguel Estrada is listed at 149 and 157. Freshman Kael Voinovich, a former Iowa City High state champion, could even see some action.

Caleb Rathjen, a starter at 149 last season, wrestled at 157 in the season opener at Oregon State.

Brands was asked about the current 157 situation and mentioned the number of wrestlers heading to Friday’s double dual with Army and Princeton.

“We have at least 19 or 20 or 21 on the bus,” Brands said. “So, we're excited to bring a lot of guys to this trip.”

CYCLONES’ EUTON DONE FOR SEASON

Iowa State Coach Kevin Dresser announced Tuesday that sophomore 165-pounder Connor Euton will miss the rest of the season due to an injury suffered in a 12-7 loss to Iowa’s Michael Caliendo on Nov. 23.

“Unfortunately, we got some bad news on Connor and his knee injury sustained in the Iowa dual,” Dresser said. “Connor will get a medical redshirt this year and the good news is that he will have three years remaining in Ames. He is scheduled for surgery tomorrow morning.”

KECKEISEN HONORED

University of Northern Iowa’s NCAA champion and two-time national finalist Parker Keckeisen was named Big 12 Conference Wrestler of the Week. It is the fourth time he has earned the honor.

Keckeisen, a four-time All-American, defeated Missouri’s No. 8 Colon Hawks, 17-4, on Nov. 26. He is 2-0 with two wins over top-10 opponents. Keckeisen has won 33 straight regular-season matches.

Both UNI and Iowa State will wrestle in the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational on Friday and Saturday.

Comments: kj.pilcher@thegazette.com