National Duals Invitational provides exposure, big payout for college wrestling dual teams

College wrestling sits on the verge of a new chapter.

One that could boost the sport with casual fans and fill a void with a new team championship.

Iowa and University of Northern Iowa will compete in the inaugural National Duals Invitational on Saturday and Sunday at BOK Center in Tulsa, Okla. The Hawkeyes are the No. 1 seed of the 16-team dual tournament sponsored by Paycom Software, Inc., which includes $1 million overall purse with $200,000 going to the winner. UNI opens with North Carolina State.

The event already promises to be a marquee event to highlight some of the best programs and individuals.

“The purse is unprecedented,” Iowa Coach Tom Brands said. “The purse is going to be ongoing for as long as Paycom continues to do it. They’ve said they are going to reinvest their profits. It’s unprecedented. You owe it to something like this to be a participant.”

The Hawkeyes (1-0) are one of eight top-10 teams in the latest National Wrestling Coaches Association dual rankings. Every team in the field are ranked or received votes.

The Hawkeyes (1-0) are one of eight top-10 teams in the latest National Wrestling Coaches Association dual rankings. Every team in the field are ranked or received votes. Iowa faces Missouri in the first round. The competition can provide a good gauge in determining starters.

“When you’re trying to put a lineup together, you’re looking to see if they pass the eyeball test,” Brands said. “This is a date that has been circled and highlighted and these guys know it. They know what’s at stake. They’re all driven to grab the bull by the horns and be the guy, especially at the weight classes where they are evenly contested with one or two guys. You have to pass the eyeball test every time and this is a big eyeball test to pass.”

The tournament will be available to a nationwide audience. Flowrestling will stream 27 duals with the finals set for 6 p.m. (Iowa time) on ESPN2.

Paycom Founder Chad Richardson has been a guiding force of this new event that gained steam last season. Considerable progress in a year, expressing dedication to improve with each year.

“Iowa Public Television … you ran to your TV and you turned it on to watch the biggest duals whether it was Iowa-Oklahoma State, Iowa-Iowa State or whatever was on,” Brands said. “That’s probably the genesis for me.

“I think Chad Richardson is hell-bent to get this thing where it’s going to be on the ESPN. Flo is worthy. Flo gives it credibility. ESPN2 gives it credibility but in a way ESPN you missed something because this is going to be around. Let’s get this thing put on primetime on the (ESPN) 1. I think that’s the whole deal.”

The purse has been described as cherry on top. It serves as nice perk, infusing it back into programs. Brands said he will talk with Iowa Athletics Director Beth Goetz on how to use possible financial rewards.

“We’ll figure that out,” Brands said. “You don’t do things, and you certainly don’t wrestle, for money. There’s money to be made, if you’re at the very, very best, but you don’t do it for that. It’s the self-satisfaction that is first. But, with the purse, that’s why we’re here.”

Oklahoma State Coach David Taylor said, “I think we’re just in a different era of college athletics. As coaches and programs, we’re always trying to find creative ways to support the different entities that we have. I think there’s the ability to compete against the best teams in the country…”

NWCA has held National Duals in various formats. Despite the early-season date, this tournament could evolve into the much-needed team championship to highlight dual competition that complements the sport’s crown jewel – the NCAA Championships.

“This sport absolutely needs a dual-meet championship,” Ohio State Tom Ryan said. “Is this time of the year the perfect time for it? No, but it’s a start. The only way you make things happen, I think, long term is to start with something that makes sense. This makes enough sense for us all to be here.”

Duals have been viewed as a catalyst to increased interest from mainstream sports fans. The team aspect can build programs’ fanbases.

“People are going to follow teams more than just individuals,” Nebraska Coach Mark Manning said. “We all love the individual national championship, and we can’t get rid of that, but we can find a way to have a national-dual championship be meaningful. I think this is a great start. It’s all about finding out what your team is all about right now early in the year.

“We have a great product. We just need more people to see it more often.”

Six returning NCAA champions are in the field, including Ohio State two-time titlist Jesse Mendez. Six top-ranked wrestlers and 31 top-five ranked competitors are expected to take the mat. Fans could see NCAA finals rematches at 125, 133 and 141 pounds.

The key for established success is for program’s to feature their top wrestlers and put on a show for fans.

“This is about putting an entertaining product out there and how are these guys going to compete,” Brands said. “You’re going to have an opportunity to compete. Go compete.”

Comments: kj.pilcher@thegazette.com