Wrestling Weekend That Was: Iowa State returns to Coach Kevin Dresser’s hometown for competition

Iowa State returned to Humboldt to wrestle in the hometown of head coach Kevin Dresser. 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.

IOWA STATE AT HOME IN HUMBOLDT

The Cyclones rediscovered dual success with a 27-12 victory over North Dakota State on Sunday at Humboldt High School. The dual marked the Big 12 Conference opener for Iowa State, which won six of 10 matches improving to 2-2 overall.

The cyclones posted four bonus-point victories, receiving pins from Cody Chittum (157) and heavyweight Daniel Herrera, a technical fall from Jacob Frost at 141 and a major decision from 174-pounder Aiden Riggins. Osmany Diversent and Nando Villaescusa filled in for ranked Evan Frost and Evan Bockman at 133 and 184, respectively. Both won by decision.

Chittum made his debut and provided some excitement. He trailed 5-1 and fought back to tie it, 6-6, hitting a cement mixer roll to pin Gabriel Schumm in 4:50.

The dual was notable but the results really are a back story to what has become a neat addition to the Cyclones’ annual schedule. This marks the fourth year Iowa State has hosted a home dual at Humboldt, the alma mater and hometown of head coach Kevin Dresser, who was a two-time state champion and won 112 career victories for the Wildcats.

Iowa State has made it more than just a throw-away dual to appease a home crowd. Sunday kicked off the Big 12 dual schedule. Last year, Iowa State beat Wisconsin, coached by former Cyclone NCAA champions Chris Bono (head coach) and assistant Jon Reader. In 2022, Iowa State blanked NAIA power Grand View.

The inaugural dual at Humboldt was a 23-13 win over Purdue on Dec. 19, 2021. Humboldt native and Boilermakers Coach Tony Ersland agreed to move their dual from Hilton Coliseum in Ames to the high school that season.

Iowa State has created an event that is similar to what Dan Gable did with some of his Hawkeye teams. For example, Iowa traveled to Spencer for duals against Buena Vista and South Dakota State, giving fans a chance to watch a top NCAA Division I program and their favorite wrestlers close to home.

The dual attracted 1,500 fans in a small-school gym, so it must still be appreciated.

IOWA WOMEN CROWN 3 CHAMPIONS AT NORTH CENTRAL OPEN

University of Iowa and North Central ranked among the leaders in women’s college wrestling. The Hawkeyes ventured to Naperville, Ill., Sunday for the North Central Open.

The two programs had some title battles last season, including the National Wrestling Coaches Association Multi-Divisional National Duals and at the National Collegiate Women’s Wrestling Championships. This time, the Cardinals came out on top as a team, 251-148.5. The Hawkeyes edged third-place McKendree by a half-point.

The Hawkeyes finished with six in the top-three of their respective weights. Nanea Estrella (138), Macey Kilty (145) and national champion Kylie Welker at 180 all won titles. Rianne Murphy (103) and Alivia White (207) placed second for Iowa. Valarie Solorio rounded out Iowa’s top performers, getting third at 110.

Welker excelled with a tournament high six technical falls in the least amount of time (8:31) and scored the most team points with 26.

Iowa’s men and women programs will return to action Dec. 29-30 for the Solder Salute at Xtream Arena in Coralville.

IOWA INKS TOP 190-POUNDER

According to an article from Flowrestling’s Andy Hamilton, Iowa’s men wrestling received a verbal commitment from two-time New Jersey state champion Harvey Ludington. The senior at Brick Memorial High School in Brick Township, N.J. is ranked No. 1 nationally at 190 pounds and is No. 14 overall in the Class of 2025.

Ludington originally committed to Arizona State but re-opened his recruiting. According to Hamilton, Ludington was also considering North Carolina, N.C. State and Oklahoma.

He is another young talent to plug in a loaded upper weight group that includes Gabe Arnold, Angelo Ferrari and heavyweight Ben Kueter. All three would have at least three years of eligibility when Ludington steps in the practice room. A strong addition to what could be a potent upper-weight lineup.

CORNELL BEATS NO. 23 LUTHER

Cornell improved to 6-4 in dual competition with a sweep of University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and No. 23 Luther on Saturday. The 24 th-ranked Rams beat the Pointers, 35-3, in the opener and followed with a 27-15 victory over the Norse.

Cornell posted bookend pins from Jase Van Pelt (125) and heavyweight Jackson Brinker against Luther. Landon Card (149) scored a technical fall and No. 4-ranked Cael McLaren added a major decision. Eli Sneed (133) and No. 11 Treyten Steffen also won for the Rams, who have four ranked wrestlers.

ICE STORM LIMITS HIGH SCHOOL ACTION

An ice storm that swept through Eastern Iowa, wiping out most of the tournaments scheduled for Saturday. Maquoketa held the girls’ division of the Zimmerman Invitational and South Winneshiek held its annual tournaments Friday.

At Maquoketa, Iowa City High received titles from Martha Willard (115) and 170-pounder Molly Carlson. The Little Hawks’ Eliza Mitchell (120) and Etta Winders at 100 placed second. No. 9 Carlson posted three pins and topped Dubuque Hempstead’s No. 6 Kenadi Frederick, 8-4, in the semifinal.

Midland also had two champs with Taelynn Gravel (105) and Alyssa Eckhardt at 125.

South Winn held its boys’ and girls’ tournaments at Luther in Decorah. Osage won the team title with 223.5 points, 20.5 ahead of Decorah. West Delaware’s Kylee Shoop (130), Central Community’s Mayleigh Medberry (135), the Viking quartet McKenzie Tollefson (140), Anastasia Simon (145), 155-pounder Lauren Luzum and Madysen Lippe (235) all won titles.

West Delaware won the boys’ tournament with 243 points. Denver was second with 202.5, one point ahead of third-place Decorah.

Jax Miller (144) Blake Mather (175), Brent Yonkovic (190) and 215-pounder Jeryn Funke all won titles for the Hawks. West Delaware had 12 wrestlers place fourth or better.

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