Nasir Bailey focused to continue recent success, prove doubters wrong as 141-pound starter for Iowa men’s wrestling

University of Iowa’s Nasir Bailey has heard the doubters and he’s likely to remember them.

He’s determined to answer any questions that surround his place in the Hawkeyes lineup. The All-American transfer from University of Arkansas-Little Rock uses it as motivation to become better.

“It started this summer,” Bailey said about hearing skepticism. “I feel like since I got here, people have been kind of talking down on me. I did take a couple of early losses, so that might have propelled it a little bit more, but I’ve just always had that chip on my shoulder.”

Bailey provided the lone victory last Friday against Penn State and will look to produce another bright spot when fourth-ranked Iowa wrestles at No. 6 Nebraska Friday night at the Devaney Sports Center in Lincoln, Neb. Bailey is listed with sophomore Kale Petersen at 141 pounds in the probable lineups.

“I think it's just the next thing up,” Bailey said. “We're in our schedule where every dual is a big dual, so I mean, it's just another opportunity to compete.”

Iowa Coach Tom Brands said he wasn’t aware of anyone who had written off the two-time Pac-12 Conference champion and NCAA qualifier as a key addition to the Hawkeyes. Perceived slights can be a method for some competitors to fuel their own fire.

“I know he’s serious about the sport and I know where he wants to end up at the end of the year,” Brands said. “And remember, this is a process. This is a process that we’re going through.”

  Buy Photo

Bailey used a takedown to top Penn State’s returning All-America Braeden Davis, 3-2. He improved to 10-5 this season but took it in stride. Bailey proved his effort is paying dividends.

“It was a big win,” Bailey said. “It just lets me know that I' I've been doing things right, so keep doing it.”

Bailey came to Iowa as a strong rider and wanted to improve his hand-fighting ability. He has benefited from exposure to former two-time Hodge Trophy winner and three-time NCAA champion Spencer Lee. He has been able to enhance his strengths and get better in other techniques.

“I've definitely been trying to take a lot from him just because he was kind of like unstoppable on top,” Bailey said. “I'm not to that point, yet, where I feel like I'm unstoppable. I'm just trying to learn a few new techniques and things that he did and try to implement them into my wrestling.”

Brands has seen Bailey gravitate toward Lee in the practice room. Dominating with tilts in the top position stems from being fundamentally sound and strong with basics to break foe to their bellies. Then, opportunities occur to get back points.

“That’s what the focus is,” Brands said. “Work hard on those fundamentals of riding, keeping a guy down, keeping him flat. It’s ride, flat, turn (and) pin in that order.”

Bailey wrestled at 133 his first two seasons. With two-time NCAA finalist Drake Ayala at 133, Bailey bumped up a weight class and he’s getting acclimated to the new division.

“It's definitely been an adjustment period,” Bailey said. “Going from being like one of the stronger dudes in the weight class to being a smaller 141(-pounder) is different, but I think I'm getting used to it. I understand what I need to do out there, so that's all that matters.”

Bailey was a four-time Illinois state champion at Rich Township High School. He placed fourth at the 2024 NCAA Championships in Kansas City, Mo., becoming the first All-American for Little Rock, which started its program in the 2019-20 season. He went 2-2 at the national tournament last year, falling short of another podium finish.

The finish put everything into perspective. Everything during the regular season funnels to peaking for the postseason.

“I think I had a great season last year, but I didn't have the tournament that I wanted to have, and that still leaves a bad taste in my mouth,” Bailey said. “So, just remembering that the season doesn't matter. It really matters to win that tournament in March.”

Comments: kj.pilcher@thegazette.com