New National Duals Invitational an interesting event for Iowa men’s wrestling program

National Wrestling Coaches Association has attempted to make the national duals relevant for NCAA Division I programs.

The organization brought back the D-I bracket to its Multidivisional National Duals event earlier this month. A little more than a week after its marquee event, the NWCA announced an intriguing showcase that could attract the top programs in D-I wrestling.

The NWCA announced Tuesday that it will hold the National Duals Invitational in Nov. 15-16 at BOK Center in Tulsa, Okla. The tournament hosted by Oklahoma State and sponsored by Paycom promises a cash purse of a million dollars between the teams in attendance.

“Due to the unprecedented challenges in NCAA Division I athletics today,” NWCA Executive Director Mike Moyer said, “it is more imperative than ever to have more big moments in intercollegiate wrestling so we can substantially grow our fan base and viewership."

Iowa Coach Tom Brands said the Hawkeyes would be interested in participating in the competition.

“There has been a lot of in-depth dialogue and we are excited about it,” Brands said. “I think there are other opportunities there as well. As you get closer to August, when the teams are announced, there are some things that are even above and beyond that.

“That’s exciting for a program, especially a program like the University of Iowa wrestling.”

The field will consist of 16 teams. The champion will receive $200,000, while the second- and third-place teams will receive $150,000 apiece. Fourth-place finisher takes home $75,000 and teams that come in fifth through eighth gets between $20,000-$50,000. Participating programs receive $20,000.

Money isn’t the top motivation, but it’s not a bad product of your performance.

“It’s not why you do it,” Brands said. “There are a lot of things that go through my head with that question and the bottom line is you’ve got to love what you do, no matter what you’re being compensated. You’ve got to love it first.

“When you love it, you will be successful. When you’re successful, the rest falls into place. And it’s always been that way. It’s just a little bit more lucrative now.”

Paycom Founder and CEO Chad Richison said he is excited for a competitive field in the inaugural event. He also noted the importance of investing in the student-athletes of non-income-generating sports.

Brands said it isn’t about timing or whether wrestling needs it but people supplying the necessary support. Brands said it is awesome.

“I think you are going to have a lot of powerful teams in there,” Brands said. “I think when you throw that kind of money, I think it makes people look and captures their imagination. They want to do it. This is something that’s a little bit different. It’s been talked about a lot.”

LORAS EDGES COE

Loras heavyweight Jonah Clark used two big throws for takedowns to top Coe’s Damari Dansby, 7-3, in the final match of the 13 th-ranked Duhawks’ 20-15 victory over No. 12 Coe Tuesday night at Kohawk Arena.

The first four matches were split and tied at 7-7. Coe received a major decision win from Bryce Parke at 133 and a decision by 149-pounder Dresden Grimm. The Duhawks won three straight bouts, including a ranked matchup at 174. Former Solon prep and third-ranked Zeb Gnida scored a takedown in the third period for a 4-2 decision over Coe’s No. 4 L.J. Richardson, giving the Duhawks a 17-7 lead with three matches remaining.

Coe battled back with consecutive 10-1 major decisions from Jared Voss and Matthieu Arsenault at 184 and 197. They pulled Coe within 17-15 going into the winner-take-all final bout.

Coe is 6-3 overall and 2-1 in the American Rivers Conference. The Kohawks travel to Indianola for the A-R-C Duals Saturday, facing Nebraska Wesleyan, Luther and Simpson.

UNI, ISU HOST OK SWING

Oklahoma State and Oklahoma make their Big 12 Conference duals swing through Iowa this weekend. Fifth-ranked University of Northern Iowa (9-0, 3-0) hosts No. 3 Oklahoma State (9-0, 6-0) Friday at the McLeod Center, beginning at 7 p.m. The Panthers will also host Oklahoma (6-2, 2-2) on Saturday at 7 p.m.

Iowa State (7-3, 2-0) will welcome the Sooners Friday at 7 p.m. at Hilton Coliseum. The Cyclones host the Cowboys on Sunday, starting at 4 p.m. Iowa State announced Tuesday that All-American heavyweight Yonger Bastida will miss the remainder of the season due to injury and seek a medical redshirt, while former 197-pounder Christian Carroll has left the program.

Comments: kj.pilcher@thegazette.com