Iowa wanted record in rightful place

IOWA CITY - For decades, the University of Iowa has set the bar when it comes to wrestling attendance.

Fans have flocked to Carver-Hawkeye Arena, especially the last nine seasons under Tom Brands. The Hawkeyes have led the nation in attendance each year of his tenure, averaging at least 8,000 per home dual each of the last seven seasons.

The one spot Iowa hasn't been a part of in the top-25 all-time best attended NCAA duals is the one that spawned Grapple on the Gridiron. The wheels began turning when Penn State beat Pitt, 28-9, in front of a record 15,996 at the Bryce Jordan Center on Dec. 8, 2013.

Iowa Coach Tom Brands made the motivation clear to media Tuesday at the Hansen Football Performance Center.

'It turns out it's a pretty big event, it's good for the fans and it's good for wrestling,” Brands said, 'but the reason was because Penn State has the record and I think it's important, and I tell you what it's important to our program and our fans. Our fans are probably the No. 1 motivation for us because they want to have the record. They take a lot of pride in it.”

The endeavor has involved more than just the wrestling program and Director of Wrestling Operations Luke Eustice. Brands credited the administration and football staff, including head coach Kirk Ferentz and Director of Football Operations Paul Federici.

'Without them, this doesn't even get off the ground,” Brands said. 'This is something that when Penn State broke the record they were immediately fans of. It just took us a couple years to get going.”

As of Tuesday afternoon, 33,541 tickets had been sold for Saturday's dual against top-ranked Oklahoma State. The crazy idea of outdoor wrestling during an Iowa November has blossomed into an event that could surpass the 40,000-fan threshold.

'This is great,” Brands said. 'It has turned out to be bigger than I expected.”

The Hawkeyes averaged more than 8,300 fans last season, giving them a total of 55,390. Brands joked about Kinnick being the venue because the Fire Marshal wouldn't allow 18,000 fans in CHA. The fans are exactly why Brands said the outdoor meet will replicate the intense and intimate CHA atmosphere.

'It's a great event every time you step into that arena and compete,” Brands said about CHA. 'It's the best wrestling venue on the planet, along with two or three other places in the world and that's the truth.

'We just duplicate that and then some here (at Kinnick) so it's even better. It's may be a little bit of an adjustment to routines.”

Wrestlers will work out to make weight at CHA, but then be transported to Kinnick for weigh-ins, passing the statue of Nile Kinnick before entering the stadium. During the dual, wrestlers will have access to heated areas off the tunnel with the 54-by-54-foot mat located by the south end zone.

'I think they are going to have everything set up for us,” 174-pounder Alex Meyer said. 'Tom said they are going to take care of us as far as being warm and having warmup space, so I don't think anything will change in that aspect.”

Expected conditions have improved with forecasts ranging from a high in the mid-to-high 50s without precipitation. Thomas Gilman said the Hawkeyes aren't concerned as long as they warm up properly.

'Weather doesn't matter,” said Gilman, an All-American at 125 last season. 'Whether it's 20 degrees or 70 degrees, we're going to be ready to go.”

RYAN COULD GET FIRST START

Logan Ryan has wrestled in one event, officially as a Hawkeye. He placed second at the Grand View Open last weekend.

Before he even gets a chance to compete at Carver-Hawkeye Arena, Ryan could make his first start Saturday at 141 pounds. He is one of three possible starters with junior Topher Carton and senior Jake Kadel. Talk about trial by fire, facing Oklahoma State's top-ranked Dean Heil.

'It's absolutely amazing,” said Ryan, a red-shirt freshman who won two state titles for Bettendorf. 'I think it's unbelievable. The first time in college history I think it's awesome. To be able to do it for my first dual meet ever at Iowa is just amazing. I'm really excited.”

The prospect of wrestling in front of the biggest crowd in NCAA history doesn't seem to faze him. He is confident that the match will be like any other when the whistle blows.

'Once you get out there you really lock down,” Ryan said. 'I feel I'll be able to put all my nerves to the side and just go out there and wrestle.”

Ryan (4-1) was suspended from the team in May after legal trouble. He worked his way back into the program, earning a shot to be on the biggest stage in college wrestling history against the top-ranked Cowboys.

'We see that he's got an opportunity that's in front of him,” Iowa Coach Tom Brands said. 'We're not looking at anything but that and this is an opportunity to put the singlet on and represent and to not look back. So, let's have a performance.”

At 157, Edwin Cooper and Skyler St. John are listed on the probable lineup. Patrick Rhoads and Burke Paddock are each listed at 165. Brands didn't specify who might get the nod at either of those weights Tuesday.

PARKING INFORMATION

According to the UI Sports Information Office, football parking will be in effect Saturday. Those with football parking passes will still park in their assigned sports. The passes are limited to one entry into the lot, preventing fans to park for wrestling, leave and return for the Minnesota vs. Iowa football game at 7 p.m. Once a pass is used to enter the lot it cannot be shared for another to use it later.

No public parking will be available in University lots or ramps near Kinnick. Free park and shuttle services are available for those with wrestling tickets, but don't have football parking passes. Spaces are on a first-come, first-served basis.

Fans with tickets to both events are encouraged to park at Hancher (55), Hawkeye Commuter (85) and Hall of Fame (71) lots, which will have shuttles from 8 a.m. to one hour after the football game.

Spectators with plans to attend the wrestling dual only are asked to park at Iowa City West High School. A shuttle will run from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. between there and Krause Family Plaza.

For $20, parking can be found at the Finkbine Golf Course driving range, UI softball lot, Lower Finkbine lot, University lots are main library and Madison and Court Streets, while available.

ADA parking is located at Hospital Ramp 3 and Hospital Ramp 4 for the dual. The Hawkeye Express will not be available for the Grapple on the Gridiron. It will begin service at 3 p.m., ending 90 minutes after the football game.

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