K.J. Pilcher

University of Northern Iowa posted a signature win over Nebraska Sunday at the McLeod Center. Iowa City High claimed Zimmerman Invitational title. Clear Creek Amana boys’, Vinton-Shellsburg girls’ earn runner-up finishes in the Wrestling Weekend That Was.

The dual came down to the final bout and Caleb Brown posted a come-from-behind pin to lift Class 1A No. 12 Lisbon to a 39-29 victory over 2A No. 8 Mount Vernon in the Lions Den Duals Saturday at Lisbon.

University of Iowa has always been a source for college wrestling coaches, going back to those under legendary coach Dan Gable. Now, former wrestlers under Tom Brands are influencing wrestlers across the country.

Here is The Gazette’s first 2024-25 installment of area high school boys’ wrestling individual rankings.

Coe posted a 2-0 dual record and entered the holiday break with a successful showing at the North Central Open. The Kohawks are in the midst of a training phase to prepare for the second half of the season, which begins with the NWCA Multi-Divisional Duals on Jan. 10-11 at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls.

University of Iowa’s No. 4 Kyle Parco used a first-period takedown and nearfall points and posted an 8-5 decision over North Carolina’s No. 6 Lachlan McNeil for the 149-pound title Monday night at the Soldier Salute. Iowa swept the men’s and women’s titles.

From hanging out in the wrestling room of the high school team his dad coached to the NCAA Division I awards stand, wrestling has always been Michael Caliendo’s top sports love. He reached his second straight Soldier Salute finals Monday at Xtream Arena in Caliendo.

The third Soldier Salute will be held Sunday and Monday at Xtream Arena in Coralville. The event has grown and improved from the inaugural competition. The men’s and women’s tournament mesh college wrestling with support of Armed Services.

The first half of the high school boys’ wrestling season is complete. Wrestlers have just five weeks before the postseason. Teams and individual performances have highlighted the opening weeks. Here are five notable performances before the holiday break.

The Battle of Waterloo didn’t disappoint and Alburnett left with a runner-up finish to Class 3A power southeast Polk. Iowa State competed at the Collegiate Duals. Cornell, Luther impressed at the Gator Boots Duals in Tennessee and more in the Wrestling Weekend That Was.

The former Solon prep has thrived in his final season with the Bison, earning Missouri Valley Football Conference Offensive Player of the Year honors and being one of the top-three finalists for the Walter Payton Award as the top FCS player.

Strategy pays dividends for Lions, who win the last four weights for 41-35 come-from-behind dual victory over the Trojans. Linn-Mar’s Malik DeBow posts comeback win in battle of state tournament participants.

The Pinning Combination podcast with The Gazette's K.J. Pilcher and hall of fame coach Dick Briggs welcomes University of Northern Iowa Coach Doug Schwab. The trio talks about the Panthers’ strong start to the season, the Panthers’ culture and Schwab’s family experiences. The podcast concludes with a look at the past weekend of college and high school results and the upcoming schedule.

Former West Delaware Coach Jeff Voss will be inducted into the Battle of Waterloo Hall of Fame, while his son, Jake, has taken the reins of the program, competing in a bracket named after the former head coach.

Iowa State has held a notable dual in Humboldt, which is the hometown of head coach Kevin Dresser. This year, they held their Big 12 Conference opener there Sunday. Iowa women crown three champions at North Central Open, Iowa men land a top recruit and an ice storm limited high school action in the Wrestling Weekend That Was.