Iowa wrestling leads nation in average attendance

Attendance numbers for the top NCAA Division I wrestling programs are available, and it is not a surprise the University of Iowa, Iowa State University and University of Northern Iowa are all in the top 10.

Iowa is first on the list, average 8,835 fans over seven home duals. The Hawkeyes' largest crowd was 13,747 against top-ranked and three-time NCAA champion Penn State in December. Iowa also drew an overall best 61,843. Even more impressive is the impact the Hawkeyes have had on attendance for other programs in the top 16. Iowa's average was the second-highest, trailing only the Hawkeyes 2011-12 season when they averaged 9,014 fans per dual at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

Iowa was the biggest draw for Iowa State, attracting 6,261 fans for a dual Dec. 1. The Hawkeyes helped produce the largest crowds for the No. 8 team on the list Nebraska (3,946), 11th Edinboro (3,129) and 13th Wisconsin 1,445.

The Cyclones were fourth in average. They were sixth overall, because of only four home duals. Iowa State had 13,021 fans this season.

UNI finished ninth with an average attendance of 1,766 at the small and intimate confines of the West Gym. The Panthers packed the smaller facility four times, selling it out with 2,060 fans at duals against Wisconsin, Missouri, Iowa State and Purdue. UNI finished its dual season as the only undefeated Division I program, attracting a total of 12,363 to its seven home events.

According to the release from Iowa State, 13 of the top 16 ranked schools experienced an increase in attendance from last season.

DIVISION I ATTENDANCE LEADERS

1

Iowa (7)

8835

61843

13747

Penn St

2

Penn State (8)

7646

61170

15996

Pittsburgh

3

Minnesota (5)

3462

17310

5603

Penn St

4

Iowa State (4)

3255

13021

6261

Iowa

5

Oklahoma State (8)

2713

21705

5135

Oklahoma

6

Ohio State (4)

2386

9544

4412

Michigan

7

Lehigh (7)

2290

16032

4773

Penn St

8

Nebraska (6)

1993

11958

3946

Iowa

9

Northern Iowa (7)

1766

12363

2060

WI,MO,ISU,PU

10

Cornell (7)

1406

 9,842

2833

Rutgers

11

Edinboro (5)

1304

6519

3129

Iowa

12

Pittsburgh (7)

1044

7310

1921

Okla St

13

Wisconsin (5)

1038

5188

1445

Iowa

14

Oregon State (7)

1004

7028

2138

Minnesota

15

Michigan (8)

910

7281

1519

Mich St

16

Old Dominion (7)

819

5736

1489

Va Tech