Iowa lands Greco-Roman national finalist

The University of Iowa have apparently landed another Illinois prep wrestler.

The Hawkeyes received a verbal commitment from Libertyville (Ill.) High School senior Joey Gunther announced his decision 'to continue my wrestling and academic career at the University of Iowa” on Twitter on Tuesday night. The commitment came the same day Montini Catholic (Ill.) state champ Vince Turk declared he would wrestle for Iowa.

Gunther is ranked seventh at 152 pounds nationally by Wrestling Insider Newsmagazine. Gunther placed sixth at the 2014 Illinois High School Association Class 3A state meet, finishing with a 38-9 record.

His national accomplishments are even more impressive. He placed third at 152 at the USA Wrestling Junior Greco-Roman Nationals in Fargo, N.D., in July. In 2013, Gunther was a national runner-up at Cadet Greco-Roman Nationals in the 145-pound bracket.

He projects to wrestle at 165 or 174 for the Hawkeyes.

l Comments: (319) 368-8679; kj.pilcher@thegazette.com