Iowa vs Iowa State Preview & Prediction (SUNDAY 11-30)

 

Happy Thanksgiving! Whether you're reading this before Turkey Day or after, I hope you are soon to have or I hope you already had a great holiday! As an Iowan, with about a million positive memories of both programs over the past 32 years, let me say I'm attending this one in person & I'll be dressed as appropriately as I can possibly be dressed. In other words, I'm going to be the weirdest of all 14,000 or so of us, as I'll have on an Iowa State sweatshirt & an Iowa baseball cap.  You won't know whether to hug me, slug me, kiss me or hiss me.  Good, cause the #1 thing I'm supporting this dual, is great wrestling, in front of two of the greatest fan bases (and yes that goes for ALL sports) of all time. 

Want to have your mind blown?  This rivalry has been going on FOR-EV-ER.  A google search will tell you that it was March 4th, 1916, but Iowa has it in their official records that it took place sometime in 1912.  I mean either way, we're talking about a long time, but think about that if it was indeed 1912.  Wrestling season has always been wrestling season, taking place the same time of the year, so if this is the case, that means we saw Hawkeye Vs Cyclone wrestling BEFORE the Titanic sank!  114 years or 110 years, either way this has been going on for a long time.  

Iowa leads either 70-16 overall or 72-16 (Iowa has two extra duals in their historical records that Iowa State does not).  So either way, Iowa has predominately owned this feud for the most part.  Which in many ways, is what makes this particular meeting so special. 

NOTE: Chris Andringa informed me that prior to 1916, Iowa State wrestling was a club program & not an official part of the University athletics.  Therefore, two of the wins Iowa has over Iowa State, are technically unofficial. 

Moving on....

Iowa State #2 & Iowa #3, this is one of the rare times where the Cyclones actually go in favored over the Hawkeyes.  Seeing that the dual is in Ames, at Hilton Coliseum, can the cardinal & gold pull one out?

Here's how JT1Wrestle sees things going down. 

#8 Dean Peterson Vs #6 Stevo Poulin
125

Dean Peterson has already won some important matches in his first season as a Hawkeye since transferring from Iowa.  This will be Stevo Poulin's first real test as a Cyclone, since transferring from Northern Colorado.  The thing about it is, Peterson is notorious for keeping matches much closer than they should be.  There have been times where the black & gold faithful were probably expecting some bonus, and instead Peterson has walked away with not so spread decision.  That won't cut the mustard against a guy like Poulin. Especially since Poulin has already defeated Peterson 6-4, and he wants to make a good first impression in his new home.  I say dec Poulin. 

IOWA: 0
IOWA STATE: 3 

#4 Drake Ayala Vs #7 Evan Frost
133

The two-time NCAA DI runner-up better be poised and ready to go Sunday because I guarantee you that the 6th in the DI nation in 2024, who barely missed out on a second All-American honor in 2025 Evan Frost will be looking to continue his campaign to reclaim by upending the silver medalist.  The last time these two met, it was an 11-7 decision for the Hawkeye.  

IOWA: 3
IOWA STATE: 3

#7 Nasir Bailey Vs #2 Anthony Echemendia
141

Every point matters in a dual like this.  Winning where you're supposed to win.  Bonusing where you're supposed to bonus.  Bonusing where you're not expected to bonus.  Keeping matches to decisions that are expected to be bonus.  Upsets.   It's all a major part of a dual like this & the difference between victory and defeat. 

Here at 141 lbs, the only common denominator is two-time NCAA DI champion Jesse Mendez.  Mendez pretty much had his way with Nasir Bailey 17-1 technical fall, whereas he's had much closer encounters with Anthony Echemendia.  Is this a symbolism of level, or is it more a reflection of a guy who has wrestled someone only once, Vs a guy who has wrestled him on many occasions? 

I've said this about Echemendia before & I'll say it about him again.  He's ruthless. Call it irony, but he's the type of guy you'd have imagined wrestling for Gable during the late 80's/early 90's.  A Brands type wrestler that will stick you in like a piece of gum & spit you out all chewed up.  In Hilton, in front of a sea of Cardinal & Gold?  I smell bonus. 

IOWA: 3
IOWA STATE: 7 

#12 Ryder Block Vs #5 Paniro Johnson
149

I've talked about this before & I'm going to talk about it again now.  Ryder Block has done a great job so far this season of opening up some eyes & silencing many of his critics. I'm sure other sports programs & even some others in wrestling have such fans, but Iowa fans are unique in this regard. I of course am not talking about all of them, but there is a sect among the black & gold, that have ungodly high expectations.  If you don't live up to these expectations or they even feel you won't live up to these expectations, they can be absurdly unforgiving.  Preseason this year, they had some pretty harsh opinions on Ryder Block and what his value to the Hawkeyes would be.  It'd be nice to see some of them come forward and at least admit they were wrong.  I'm not stupid enough to think we'd ever get an apology, but I guess Block shutting their mouths will have to do. 

Can he upset Johnson? The over/under on this gives it a fair probability.  What he has going against him is that Johnson is wrestling on his home mats, in front of his people.  It may not be as hostile of an environment if it were the other way around, but the Cardinal & Gold can get pretty freakin' loud! Johnson when on is extremely quick and slick.  Block doesn't have the speed to keep up with Johnson. 

However, Johnson isn't always on.  He's not always fired up.  If Block is able to crowd him and stay on top of him, this will frustrate Johnson & slow him down.  This type of scenario highly favors the Hawkeye.  Iowa State can't afford to suffer an upset here & frankly Iowa can't really afford not to have one.  Makes it fun, doesn't it? 

IOWA: 6
IOWA STATE: 7 

#9 Jordan Williams Vs #2 Vinny Zerban
157

A lot can change week to week, & perhaps I'm putting too much stock into Jordan Williams 11-2 major decision loss to Kannon Webster, but that alone has me questioning if Iowa gives up bonus points in this 157 lbs confrontation.  Vinnie Zerban is after all ranked #2 in the nation.  I'd like to say that in the importance of a dual like this, Williams would wrestle well enough to keep it to a decision.  Yet, can I say that considering the match against Illinois took place at the National Duals? The next three matches favoring the Hawks, I do know the Clones could use the bonus. 

IOWA: 6
IOWA STATE: 11

#3 Mikey Caliendo Vs #20 Connor Euton
165

 If Iowa State doesn't want Iowa to pull ahead to where they're too far out of reach, then they're going to have to keep the next to matches to decisions.  That's just all there is to it.  They cannot afford to give up bonus at 165 or 174. The last Mikey Caliendo & Connor Euton met, Caliendo won a 12-7 match.  A similar outcome, keeping the score with 7 points or more, absolutely vital for Iowa State. 

IOWA: 9
IOWA STATE: 11

#2 Patrick Kennedy Vs #14 M.J. Gaitan
174

Patrick Kennedy is on a different level this year & he proved that to me against Luca Augustine when Iowa wrestled Pittsburgh last week.  Last year, Augustine gave Kennedy a great match, right down to the wire, losing 7-6.  Last week, Kennedy tore Augustine a new one in a 12-2 major decision.  I bring this up, cause I know what Cyclone fans are hoping for.  The last Kennedy & Gaitan met, it was a wild back & forth showdown, Kennedy escaping by the skin of his teeth in a 14-13 victory.  I don't think it'll be like that again.  If anything, I think Iowa State is going to have to fight like Hell to not give up bonus here. 

IOWA: 12
IOWA STATE: 11

#1 Angelo Ferrari Vs #10 Isaac Dean
184

I think Isaac Dean is a very tough wrestler.  It wouldn't surprise me at all if he wasn't a top contender for All-American season by the end of '26.  However, at 184 lbs, you have the group of guys gunning to be NCAA DI champion & then you have everyone else.  Angelo Ferrari is a part of that group.  Isaac Dean is everyone else.  

IOWA: 16
IOWA STATE: 11

#7 Massoma Endene Vs #2 Rocky Elam
197

My gawd is there a lot to unpack here.  At first glance I'd say something like this:  Massoma Endene has more than proved to the wrestling world that he's a DI All-American candidate.  This Sunday, he gets to prove if he's a candidate for an NCAA DI title.  Yet, under the circumstances, is that really a fair statement to make? 

Rocky Elam has the credentials & the accomplishments.  I'm not questioning that.  5th, 4th, 3rd, 6th in the DI nation speaks for itself.  Yet he hasn't wrestled since November 8th of last year.  He's been off the mat for nearly 13 months.  We don't know what kind of condition he's in. We don't know how much of an effect his injury has upon his performance.  The unknowns here make this a very difficult match to predict. Make it difficult to assess how meaningful a win for Endene truly is as well. 

Speaking specifically to the dual this is a clutch match.  A win for Endene would make it 19 to 11 in favor of Iowa.  Meaning that even a pin at HWT wouldn't be enough for the Clones.  However, a win for Elam, now makes the score 15-16 in favor of Iowa.  Meaning all Iowa State would have to do to win would be not get upset at HWT, pulling off a 18-16 win. 

I also want to say that don't feel I'm slighting Endene here, because I'm not.  If you feel I'm saying he only stands a chance if Elam isn't 100%, that's not at all what I'm saying.  I think this is a good match, that could go either way, even if Elam is 100%.  I'm simply saying that if he's not, this is for sure a win for Endene. 

And in that, lies my dilemma. Do I go into this thinking we're gonna see a healthy & ready to go Elam?   Hell, we might not even seen Elam.  Which might even spell bonus for Iowa. 


IOWA: 19
IOWA STATE: 11

#6 Ben Kueter Vs #1 Yonger Bastida
HWT

No, I DO NOT see a fall here for Iowa State at HWT.  I see another respectable match, very similar to the one they had last time where Yonger Bastida defeated Ben Kueter 7-2.  In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if Kueter might even be able to make it a smidgen closer than he did last time. 

IOWA: 19
IOWA STATE: 14

===

What amuses me most about response I'll get to this preview/prediction, is that I'll be accused of having "Iowa bias" which is something I've gotten accused of a lot over the years by everyone BUT the Iowa fans themselves.  Being unabashed about my feelings concerning Austin DeSanto & the fact that I'm an overall college wrestling fan, and not just an Iowa fan has hurt my standing among the b&g faithful.  I'm not oblivious to this.  Calling it like I see it, I do see another W for Iowa in this over a century long war. 

Illinois Vs Missouri (Prediction & Preview) MONDAY 11-24

 

First & foremost, Happy Thanksgiving!  I hope you have a rewarding holiday & safe travels if you plan on going anywhere. 

Tonight we have a rematch of the National Duals 7th place confrontation between the #11 Illinois Fighting Illini & the #14 Missouri Tigers.  The Illini won 26-18, but I'm thinking a much different outcome in Boone County. 

#20 Spencer Moore Vs U.R. Mack Mauger
125

The last these two met, it was a well wrestled, smooth & controlled 4-0 win for the Orange & Blue.  I'd expect a similar outcome this time around, although Mauger in front of his crowd is likely to put up more of a fight. 

ILLINOIS: 3
MISSOURI: 0 

#1 Lucas Byrd Vs U.R. Kade Moore
133

The 2025 133 lbs NCAA DI champion has been on a mission as of late & I don't see that being any different tonight. Kade Moore has been known to show up in the past, but thus far he's lost 17-4 & been pinned in a 1:13 by the champ. I see nothing less than a major here, if not a tech or a pin. 

ILLINOIS: 7 
MISSOURI: 0 

#16 Danny Pucino Vs #13 Zeke Seltzer
141

Rankings slightly favor the Tigers in what I would call a tossup at 141 lbs.  We have a two-time NCAA DI qualifier, taking on a guy who has served as a very valuable reserve the past two seasons. Seeing that this dual takes place in Columbia, going to give the edge to the Mizzou Gold & the Tiger Paw Black. 

ILLINOIS: 7
MISSOURI: 3 

U.R. Mike Gioffre Vs #14 Josh Edmond
149

Rankings & results sometimes find themselves in agreement, and at other times they find themselves at odds. This looks to be an example of the latter.  A lot of parity within this sport, but rankings suggest a Tiger making an easy meal out of an Illini.  Results suggest we could have a match on our hands.  These two haven't met yet, but comparing common opponents of Tom Crook & Jaden Abas, I'm not seeing bonus here. 

ILLINOIS: 7
MISSOURI: 6 

#8 Kannon Webster Vs U.R. J Conway
157

J Conway is a tough wrestler & I'm not taking anything away from his ability or his potential, but Kannon Webster is simply on a different level right now.  The antonym of The Joker has been on a terror as of late, picking up some very impressive wins including an 11-2 major decision over Iowa's Jordan Williams. Bonus? I think so. 

ILLINOIS: 11
MISSOURI: 7 

#10 Braeden Scoles Vs U.R. Maxx Mayfield
165

I've grown accustomed as of late to use Theopenmat.com's rankings, because I respect the fact that they put as much into their DII, DIII, NAIA, NJCAA & Women's rankings as they do their DI rankings.  The problem is though, they only rank up to 20th. I bring this up because if they did rank to 33 or even to 25, I'm pretty sure Maxx Mayfield's name would have a # to it. I seriously doubt this one is going to be a blow out for the Illini.  In fact, I wouldn't rule out an upset.  The last these two met, it was a nosehair 2-1 victory for Scoles. This season full of upsets already, I'll take that risk and call for one. 

ILLINOIS: 11
MISSOURI: 10 

U.R. Colin Kelly Vs #12 Cameron Steed
174

If indeed Missouri is able to pull off the upset at 165 lbs, I think it gives them momentum going into 174 lbs.  While they can use all of the bonus they can get in this dual, I think a major is where it lies.  

ILLINOIS: 11
MISSOURI: 14 

#20 Chris Moore Vs #2 Aedon Sinclair
184

For much different reasons, I've been impressed with both of these guys as of late.  Chris Moore in and out of the lineup the past couple of seasons, stepping it up & early on in the season earning a ranking.  Aedon Sinclair  showing us that the race for the 184 lbs NCAA DI title has more cars than we may have initially thought.  I know I'm not the only one who ended last season thinking that Max McEnelly may not ever suffer a loss again.  Here it is not even December yet & Sinclair has already handed him that loss.  Moore isn't teasing an upset here, but giving him another respectable match like the 7-2 match they had last time?  I see no reason to think not.  

ILLINOIS: 11
MISSOURI: 17 

U.R. Cade Lautt Vs #15 Evan Bates
197

Here's an interesting one.  We have a former North Carolina Tar Heel, now an Illinois Fighting Illini taking on a former Northwestern Wildcat, now a Missouri Tiger.  It just amazes me how years ago, when I first started covering wrestling, you hardly ever saw transfers.  They were a rare, once in a while thing.  Nowadays, it's just the opposite. If a guy spends his entire career in one place, that's the shocker.   As do rankings, I'm predicting a win here for the Tigers. 

ILLINOIS: 11
MISSOURI: 20 

#12 Luke Luffman Vs U.R. Jarrett Stoner
HWT

If Missouri is indeed able to pull off the upset at 165, get bonus at 174, keep other matches to a decision & avoid an upset at 141, I think that would leave the Illini out of reach going into the final match of the evening.  Even if Luke Luffman were able to secure a fall, which I do think he's more than capable of here. 

ILLINOIS: 17
MISSOURI: 20 


==== 

Missouri avenging their National duals loss & upsetting the #11 Fighting Illini?  Yes, this isn't an unrealistic pipedream.  It'll take wrestling very well, but being on home mats in front of a home crowd will make a difference.  141 & 165 are the two most important matches of the night & while it may not look like it on paper, don't be surprised if 149 doesn't play a big factor as well. 

Pittsburgh Vs Iowa Preview (11-21 Friday)

 

Ranked #4 in the DI Nation, the National Duals runner-up Iowa Hawkeyes host the #24 Pittsburgh Panthers tonight in what will be the first ever dual meeting between two tonight. While Pittsburgh has traveled to both Ames & Cedar Falls for duals Vs Iowa State & Northern Iowa, this will be their first time in Iowa City for this particular confrontation.  Iowa heavily favored of course, and it will show, but look for the Panthers to show fight throughout. 

141

The Black & Gold faithful are going to expect bonus points in this match, and whether they get them or not highly depends on which Briar Priest shows up for the match.  There have been times in the past where Priest has shown up & given high ranked opponents a good match.  Example would be giving two-time All-American C.J. Composto a one takedown match.  There have been other times when he's gotten nearly majored by fellow unranked wrestlers.  So tonight do we get Cringer or do we get Battle Cat? 

149

Another match that intrigues me.  At the National Duals Ryder Block made a friggin' statement.  He's not just someone that Iowa threw in at 149.  No sir, his IS Iowa's 149.  He went from "probably a qualifier for the Hawks" to "this guy is gonna help the Hawks at the NCAA's" with his strong performance in Tulsa.  With that said, there's still a lot of season left. The more W's Ryder can pick up the better & a W Vs Kade Brown would be a very nice one to add to the collection. 

157

I would say this match has the same potential for outcome as does the 141 lbs match.  An NCAA DI qualifier in 2024, Finn Solomon spent nearly all of '24-'25 ranked within the top 33.  Yet he came up short of qualification #2 at the ACC championships & he's seen that ugly U.R. next to his name ever since.  Getting a huge upset W over Jordan Williams?  I don't see that happening tonight, especially in Iowa City.  I know Brands & Co will be expecting some bonus here, but if we're talking straight talent & ability, there's no reason at all why Solomon can't keep this to a decision. 

174

Environment & atmosphere can be big factors at times and I'm anxious to see how the Panthers react to the hostile & rowdy fans that fill up Carver Hawkeye Arena. Hilton & McCleod get pretty riled up themselves, but I still don't know if it is quite the same aura.  On paper, this battle between Kennedy & Augustine could very well be the best of the war.  The last the two met, Kennedy pulled off a hard fought 7-6 decision.  

197

When Massoma Endene entered NCAA Division I wrestling he wasn't "just a D3 wrestler." He was a three-time NCAA Division III champion, who outright kicked the crap out of everyone he wrestled.  Why so many still had doubts concerning how he'd do this year, is beyond me.  I myself wasn't sold that he'd be #7 this soon, this early, but I knew he'd do some great things for the Hawkeyes.  If those that often rely on faith as much as they do, for some reason needed evidence, he surely proved it at the national duals.   

Now tonight, he has what is thus far the biggest test of his DI career.  7th in the DI nation, Mac Stout has his sights set on becoming the first Panther national champion since Nino Bonaccorsi won a title in 2023.  This match has a lot on the line.  A win here for either of these guys is huge moving forward. 

HWT

The last time these two met, it was a controlled, well wrestled & smart 5-1 victory for the Hawkeye over the Panther.  The odds increase, with home mat advantage. Nevertheless, Dayton Pitzer is a wrestler that should never be underestimated or looked over.  He's had his moments in the past & he's not afraid to go for those big moves, in big matches. Keep that in mind as we take a look at our heaviest weight class. 

JT1Wrestle's Proposal for the Perfect NCAA DI Season.

 Having been a college wrestling fan most of my life & having been involved in reporting about it for the last 23 seasons, I've often thought to myself, what would the perfect season look like.  How could we get the NCAA Division I (and in suit DII, DIII, NAIA, NJCAA) wrestling season about as perfect as we could get it.  

Right now our season is roughly 5 months long.  We start in late October & end in the third week of March.   We start the season off with a ton of Opens, Invitationals, Classics & Memorials.  Starting in 2025-2026, second week of November we threw in the National Duals.  Coming up soon is our largest of our in-season tournaments with CKLV, & by the end of December/January we will have three more with Midlands/Southern Scuffle.  Second week of January all the way up through conference tournament time, is dual after dual. 

Each team wrestles approximately two dozen duals a season, give or take.  As former Ohio State wrestler Johnni DiJulius states, these duals have little effect on anything.  What could be done to give more duals more meaning? 

Well, here is my proposal...

I say we move wrestling to a one semester sport.  Does it really make sense to have a sport centered around weight management also take place during the Country's most festive times?  Thanksgiving/Christmas?  I say we completely get rid of that nonsense & have our season start the first of January & go to the final week of April.  Shorten it by one month. 

How to give those duals more meaning? 

What if we did this....

W1 = Conference Duals
W2 = Conference Duals
W3 = Conference Duals 

You have three weeks of facing teams within your conference.  This would help to determine your seed for the upcoming Conference Dual tournament.  I have gathered that most schools & coaches like hosting large events, as it brings in revenue for the school.  Right now, having an individual Conference tournament only, schools in the BIG 10 for example, have to wait every 14 years to host.  If we also had a conference dual championship, then it would be far more often that a school got to host a huge event. 

W4 = Conference Dual Championships  (and this would be the only event schools would be a part of for this week.  So you end your Week 3 on a Saturday or a Sunday.   Then you train/recover Monday/Tues/Wed/Thur/Fri...to compete the weekend of Week 4 at the Conference Dual championships.) 

Now obviously the BIG 10 & the BIG 12 are going to look a lot different than the PAC-12.   So I've thought a lot about this.  How do we handle it? 

This year's National duals featured 16 teams & every school had between two & four duals apiece.  I say we add four teams & make it a 20 team event.  

Qualifiers would be 

4 of BIG 10
4 of BIG 12
3 of ACC
2 of EIWA
2 of IVY
2 of MAC
2 of SOCON
1 of PAC

If you don't like this, we could analyze it to death and come up with something else, but these would be the team qualifiers for the National Duals.  Which I say, give a few weeks to help build up anticipation/ect. 

W5 & W6 could be our non-conference duals

W7 could be where the teams that qualified for National Duals give their starters a rest in preparation. This is where we could throw in an Open or a tournament.  I don't see how it would make much difference than what we already have going on.  Half the time we never know if we're getting starters or backups anyway.  So if you qualified for National Duals, send your backups, if you didn't, send your starters. 

W8 = The National Duals.  


W9, W10, W11, W12 = I think somewhere within all of this we could still have CKLV, RENO, The Southern Scuffle & The Midlands.   Or at least one of them.  I know some like Johnni DiJulius want to get rid of all tournaments outside of qualifiers & Nationals, but I don't.  I think we need another big tournament, something big. 

I mean think about it....


If we have four months of wrestling, I think each Month should have something huge to hype up and look forward to. 

January = The Conference Dual Championships
February = The National Dual Championship
March = CKLV and/or Midlands/RENO/Soldier Salute/Southern Scuffle 

And make it an event.  CKLV some years has been tougher to place than the NCAA's, and that's a good thing.  It makes it fun and exciting. You know you're going to see some really good, competitive wrestling.  I don't think we should move in the direction of getting rid of this, I think we should move in the direction of making it an even bigger deal. 

Then April comes along for our final month of wrestling. 

I see no issue in taking W13 & W15 off.  

Say that we have W11 be our CKLV

That means after national duals on W8, that W9 & W10, two full weeks can be for whatever.   Then having CKLV (or whatever event(s) we decide to have) on W11. 

W14 could be the Individual Conference championships

And then we end on W16 for the NCAA DI championships. 


I realize I'm thinking out-loud, I have ADHD and it's probably showing severely right now.  

Give me feedback, what do you think? 

Best Matches To See @ The Laker Duals (Fri 11-21-2025)

 

The #9 Grand Valley State Lakers host the #4 St. Cloud State Huskies, the #10 Glenville State Pioneers & the U.R. Findlay Roughnecks in what is sure to be a lot of great dual action this Friday November 21st.  All four teams will be meeting one another.  Here are, in my estimation what will be the best matches of the night. 

125

What was Cleveland State's loss, has become St. Cloud State's gain. Ben Aranda a former Viking, is now a Huskie, and & he's enjoying success here in the ranks of NCAA Division II.  So far to earn his #4 ranking he has defeated All-American (8th last year) Colton Drousias by an 8-0 major decision. Ironically enough, although ranked behind both Aranda & Drousias, Findaly's Billy Smith owns wins over both of them. 4-1 s.v over Aranda & 4-2 over Drousias.  If he's able to defeat both again on Friday, what a wonder that will do for his ranking. 

133

Nate Knowlton made a name for himself last weekend knocking off Jak Keller 4-2 at the Findlay Open. It'll be fun to see if the Roughneck can once again upend the Laker, especially in his own territory. Both Knowlton & Keller will have a chance to see if they can't overcome two-time NCAA DII qualifier Connor Knopick. 

141

Per the rankings, Ethan Hardy & Jayce Luna are pretty neck-in-neck on paper.  Anxious to see if it is the same story on the mat.  Hardy was a D2 qualifier in 2023, one match shy of qualification in 2024, and a redshirt last season. With his sights set on qualification once again, Luna will be a great test. 

149

He was 4th in the Super Region V both his freshman & sophomore year, and post both seasons I called Alyeus Craig one of the best wrestlers in NCAA Division II to not qualify for the national tournament.  Last year, he failed to place at the Super Region, & this season currently ranked #13 we're still in limbo wondering how his final season as a Husky will end up.  This weekend gives an excellent opportunity to see where he stands in 2025-2026.  One of his opponents will be 2025 D2 8th place All-American Gabe Onorato. 

174

We have three NCAA DII title contenders here at 174 lbs.  Matter of fact Josh Kenny has already won an NCAA DII title back in 2024 & as far as I'm concerned if it wasn't for getting injured, Hayden Pummel was well on his way to being an NCAA DII champion last year.   Against one another, Kenny owns a 5-4 decision over Pummel, and Pummell owns both an 11-7 decision, as well as a 3:19 fall over Kenny.  Then of course we have Bryce Dagel, who was 4th in the D2 nation last year, compared to Kenny who took 7th.   The chances of seeing at least one of these guys in the NCAA DII finals come March?  I'd say damn near 100%.  I'd even give the probability to seeing 2/3 a good chance.  Gold, silver, bronze?  Yeah, that too. 

184

Anxious to see two-time NCAA D2 All American Wyatt Miller (7th & 6th) up against a fresh off of redshirt Cole Glazier who was 8th himself in the D2 nation back in 2024.  A former DI wrestler, taking on the younger brother of Iowa/South Dakota State star Zach Glazier.  Mix in former D3 wrestler (Ursinus/Augsburg) wrestler Max Borton & 184 ought to be a pretty fun weight to watch in these Laker Duals. 

197

Got a really good one here between Nick Johnson who was 5th in the D2 nation last season & Brayden Mirjavdi who finished one match shy of being an All-American.  Anxious to see how this one turns out. 

HWT

Collegiate wrestling is all about proving yourself, again & again. Stepping out onto the mat and showing what you have countless times per season.  There will be plenty of opportunity to do that this weekend at the Laker Duals concerning HWT.  8th int he D2 nation last season, Carter Blough already owns a 6-2 decision over Giulian Bodiu.  Bodiu who was one match shy of being a D2 qualifier last season, does own a 0:42 fall over Whitehill.  Whitehill who is in his first season as a full time starter, was 8th at the Midwest Classic last season.  A lot of talent among the heavy artillery of each team, let's so who out bombs who.  

Best Matches to Watch at WHAC Duals (11-22 Saturday)

 

Hosted this year by defiance not all 8 teams will be wrestling one another this weekend, but nonetheless, there will be 17 duals taking place here at the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference duals.  Team wise, Indiana Tech comes in at #9 & Marian comes in at #20.   30 wrestlers ranked within the top 25 within the NAIA. 

#6 Tyler Hisey        #17 Trevor Hisey        #25 Jordan Rodriguez       #11 Jeff Bailey 
125 

The challenging thing about the NAIA is that when teams have more than one talent at a weight class you never know who they're going to through in for the dual.  With the Hisey brothers, the Warriors of Indiana Tech have two guys they can trust throughout these duals on Saturday.  Tyler Hisey, a hopeful for All-American was an NAIA qualifier last season.  Should he get the nod, I'm anxious to see him against both Jordan Rodriguez & Jeff Bailey.  Rodriguez is a transfer of Lake Erie, where in the NCAA D2 ranks, he placed 5th at the Super Region II way back in 2022.  He's been among some of the Storm's best the past few years, now finding a new home at Cleary.  Jeff Bailey, a back-to-back 4th place finisher in the WHAC I'm sure would love for the opportunity to see if he couldn't knock off Tyler Hisey.  On the same hand, should he draw Trevor, he better watch his own back.   Clearly & Cornerstone are not wrestling one another in these duals. 

#5 Anthony Hughes     #17 Landon Bertsch      #21 Nick Rodriguez        U.R. Randy Frailey
133

2nd & 3rd thus far in the WHAC, returning off of a redshirt, Nick Rodriguez is going to have to prove himself against the Knights of Marian one way or the other Saturday if he wants to challenge for this year's conference title. 4th place NAIA All-American Anthony Hughes of course would be the tougher of the two, but it'd still be one Hell of a good win if Rodriguez were to upset NAIA qualifier Landon Bertsch.  

I'm no Jiminy Cricket, but I've been known to wish upon a star a handful of times in my life.  Injuries seem to follow him too much, too often.  If we're talking potential & talent, what the guy as inside of him, I'll simply point at the fact that he was a WHAC champ in 2024.  He won't get the chance to prove himself against Marian, because Siena Heights doesn't wrestle Marian in these duals.  Against Rodriguez though? I'll say this.  I KNOW he's better than U.R. & I hope he shows us that this weekend. 

#7 Logan Wagner                    #6 Cole McKinley              #10 Connor Kimbrough
141

 

I've been saying that Logan Wagner is the best wrestler in all of the NAIA yet to All-American for a long time now.  A two-time WHAC champ, he's been R12 twice in his career & just take a look at this resume.  Who hasn't he beaten?  Call me Lonestar, because that's my story, and I'm sticking to it. 

With that said, this is wrestling.  What you did don't matter.  Yesterday is gone.  We found that out this weekend at the NCAA Division I national duals when Antrell Taylor, a national champion got majored 9-1 by an unknown sophomore.  Every time you step out on the mat, you have to prove yourself & Logan Wagner is going to get two opportunities to do just that against two extremely tough opponents. 

Fellow NAIA R12'er Cole McKinley, who was a WHAC runner-up last season wants that top 8 status end of '26 every bit as much as Wagner does.  Then of course we have Connor Kimbrough, who won the WHAC title last season with a wild 14-10 victory over McKinley as Wager was redshirting.  

While McKinley & Kimbrough will probably go to war multiple times this season, Indiana Tech & Lourdes do not meet this Saturday. 

#10 Mike Loney                 #18 Marlin Williams                             #24 Ian Boden     
149

This happens to me everyone once in a while.  I try my best to keep up with as much collegiate wrestling as I possibly can, but every once in a while I come across wrestlers that I'm not familiar with.  I'm familiar with Mikey Loney.  He was 3rd in the WHAC two seasons ago.  Marlin Williams & Ian Boden?  These guys are new to me & I suppose seeing how Loney will most likely face both of them, I'll become familiar with them this weekend.  They do not wrestle each other however. 

    #5 Vinnie Abbey                  #12 Jeff Dunasky                    #13 Loudin Stradling
157

If you're looking for the best matches of the WHAC duals, I'd most certainly check out the 157 lbs matches when Indiana Tech duals Marian, Indian tech duals Cleary & Marian duals Clearly.  We're going to see three really good matches. 

Both Vinnie Abbey & Loudin Stradling finished off 2024-2025 one match shy of being NAIA All-Americans. Abbey here at 157, while Stradling down at 149.  Stradling was a WHAC champ last year at 149, and to see if he has the potential to win another title up at 157, he'll be tested against both Abbey, as well as Jeff Dunasky.   Looking forward to these matches. 

#2 Jonathan Kervin                               #21 Braden Getz                           #23 Ayden Wilson 
165

A two-time WHAC champion, who won an NAIA national title in 2024, finishing as the NAIA runner-up this past season, Jonathan Kervin isn't going to do anything short of absolutely dominate this weekend.  The sun will come up tomorrow, and that too is a fact. 

The storyline here at 165 is between two young wrestlers looking to climb the rankings ladder here in the NAIA. Ayden Wilson had some good wins last season in route to coming within one match shy of his first medal at the prestigious Missouri Valley Invitational.  Anxious to see how the match between he and Braden Getz turns out. 

       #9 Joe Lashuay          # 10 Jevian Ross         #18 Noah Hollendonner    #23 Landon Buchanan
174

Some interesting things bound to take place here at 174 lbs.  Sorta chaos at the moment & things look to be at least somewhat sorted out come the end of Saturday night.  At the moment Jevian Ross is quite a few places ahead of teammate Noah Hollendonner in the rankings.  The former NJCAA standout for Triton spent some time at St Thomas before transferring to Marian.  Hollendonner was a WHAC champ himself in 2023.   Either or will get a shot at knocking off Joe Lashuay who was one match shy of Missouri Valley Invitational placewinner status last season.  Ross was 7th there himself a few years ago.  Either or will also get Landon Buchanan of Indiana Tech as well. 

Cornerstone & Indiana Tech do not meet this weekend. 

#7 Nathan Critchfield             #12 Clay Guenin       
197

I started doing articles for collegiate wrestling during the 2001-2002 season.  I don't think there's a year gone by where I haven't written about talent from Mount Carmel, Illinois.  Man has that place produced some talented wrestlers over the years.  Nathan Critchfield is one of them.  A WHAC champ in 2024, who was also one match shy of being an All-American. 

Truth to be known, this matchup Vs Clay Guenin has a very high probability of being our WHAC 197 lbs  finals in a few months as well. In fact, I'd bet on it.  Guenin was a WHAC runner-up last season. 

Iowa State Vs Nebraska Kearney (Friday Nov 14th)

 

My hat is off to Nebraska-Kearney.  The #1 team in the NCAA DII nation, they recently took on one of the best teams in the NJCAA, and took it to the #6 Bobcats of Southeast CC in a dominating 42 to negative 1 score.  We got to see firsthand why we have Divisions in wrestling.  And this Friday, we could very well see why again, this time from the other end of the spectrum.  The #1 in D2 Lopers take on the #3 in DI Iowa State Cyclones.  Ironically enough, I can see this dual having similarities to the dual against Southeast CC, only this time with UNK being on the receiving end. With that said, I also think, as did Southeast CC against UNK, UNK will put up some great fights against their DI competition.  

I mean think about it for a minute...

Miles Anderson, a true-freshman held Zach Ourada to a 4-0 decision.  Holding a two-time NCAA DII All-American who was a national finalist last year to a 4-0 decision is pretty impressive. 

Ira Jenkins, held Crew Howard, another two-time D2 All American to a 5-0 decision. 

Most impressive, Victor Montoya, took #1 ranked Jackson Kinsella, a two-time AA & D2 title contender to a 2-1 decision. 

I also think that even though Cael Robb pinned Ayson Rice at the 1:35 mark, that if that match were wrestled again, it would be closer. 

Where can the Lopers keep it close? Where can they put up a good fight?  Is there anywhere where they might even be able to pull off a win? 

Let's take a weight-by-weight look. 

#6                   Vs                     #16
Stevo Poulin                            Caleb Coyle
125

As mentioned in my preview of the Southeast CC Vs UNK dual, Caleb Coyle is a former NCAA DI wrestler himself, having competed at Oregon State for three seasons before transferring to Nebraska-Kearney.  While he has a very good track record against top NJCAA competition, he hasn't matched up nearly as well against DI.  He did hold NCAA DI champion Richard Figueroa to a 7-2 decision in the year Figueroa won the title, but I'd say his best showing was taking NCAA DI qualifier Richard Castro-Sandoval into sudden victory before ultimately dropping a 9-7 decision.   Castro-Sandoval, dropped a 9-0 decision to Stevo Poulin.  R12-R12-8th in the DI nation, I see bonus here for the Clones. 


IOWA STATE: 4
UNK: 0 

#6                 Vs                    #7
   Evan Frost                       Zach Ourada
133

5th and 2nd thus far in the NCAA D2 nation, I expect by season's end Zach Ourada to be among the contenders for an NCAA DII national title.  Evan Frost 6th as a freshman & R12 last year as a sophomore, I know he'll be looking to reclaim his place on the NCAA DI award stand.  Now Ourada has faced a fair number of DI opponents in his career & what impresses me most is an 8-0 major decision over Kyle Gollhofer, a respectable opponent of Northern Iowa.  Gollhofer is no Evan Frost, but I do think it provides sustenance for a belief that Ourada can keep this to a decorous decision.  

IOWA STATE: 7
UNK: 0 

 

#5               Vs               #5
 Anthony Echemendia               Joe Airola            
      141     

4th in the D2 nation last year, Joe Airola is among the many reasons Nebraska-Kearney is currently ranked #1 in their Division.  I expect some very big things out of the Loper come Super Region & National tournament time.  With that said, his opponent is a BIG 12 champion & a DI All-American. I can also say with confidence that I'm almost positive he'll be representing team Cuba at the Olympics one day too.  I'd love to see Airola put up a fight, but I also know the type of guy Echemendia is.  There's no way that he's going to allow Airola to come into his house, on his mat, and leave feeling good about himself. Echemendia will be out for blood in this one.  A gun touting, no trespassing, stay off my property type.  Ames might as well be Texas. 

IOWA STATE: 11
UNK: 0 

#5               Vs           U.R.
Paniro Johnson        Brady Collins
149

With as explosive & quick as Paniro Johnson can be at times, I've found myself bewildered with how unaggressive & unoffensive he has been at other times.  I see absolutely no reason at all, as the #5 in NCAA DI he shouldn't be lighting up an unranked D2 wrestler with takedown after takedown.  On paper, on the mat, this should be the result. 

IOWA STATE: 15
UNK: 0 

#6           Vs                   #9 
  Vinny Zerban                  Cael Robb      
157

I actually predicted a victory for Ayson Rice against Cael Robb in my UNK Vs Southeast CC preview/prediction & Robb responded by serving me up a healthy helping of crow, extra crispy.  D2 R12 last year, count him among the Lopers likely to be AA's by 26's end.  Does he prove me wrong again?  I seriously doubt it, but I do think he can keep it to a decision with the DI All American.  Robb held fellow DI All American Matty Bianchi to an 8-2 decision.  I see no reason why he can't do the same with Zerban. 

IOWA STATE: 18
UNK: 0 

 U.R.                   Vs                     #5
   Connor Euton                            Trent Munoz
165

Currently ranked #5 in the D2 nation, I have a strong feeling that Trent Munoz finally breaks through & earns that top 8 finish by season's end.  Where exactly I see him standing on the award stand at D2 nationals, I'm not sure.  I just know I see him standing on it.  A win over a DI opponent, especially one of Euton's caliber would certainly light the fuse. Euton may not be ranked at the moment, but give it time.  He will be soon enough.  If the Lopers are to pull off a win in this dual meet, here is where it has the most probability. 

IOWA STATE: 18
UNK: 3 

#14           Vs               #9  
          M.J. Gaitan            Otgonbayar Batsuuri
174     

I still say we have no real idea of just how good Otgonbayar Batsuuri is quite yet. He ruled the land of the NJCAA, and I'm anxious to see where he stands among the best of the best in D2 come March.  Against a ranked DI opponent?  Well, let's look at it objectively. 

He stuck Elise Brown Ton, a former Nebraska wrestler who seemed to be all over the place between wins & losses.  He took Travis Mastrogiovanni, a wrestler who had some notable wins during his career to a 1-0 decision.  So not a lot to work with, but provides some substance. 

I do look for the Lopers to show a lot of heart and a lot of fight in this dual.  

IOWA STATE: 21
UNK: 3 

#8             Vs                 #7  
   Isaac Dean                Lazaro Crespo
184     

Lazaro Crespo is another former superstar of NJCAA, looking to make a name for himself in NCAA Division II.  I have no doubt that he will, but again, in this dual we're facing NCAA DI competition. NCAA DI competition, ranked #8 in the country, looking to earn NCAA DI All American accolades by season's end. Crespo has faced DI opponents in the past, but no one of Dean's level.  The closest would be Brayden Thompson of Oklahoma State, whom he dropped a 9-3 decision to.  I say he can keep this to a decision, but once again a win for the cardinal & gold. 

IOWA STATE: 24
UNK: 3 

#2             Vs                   #1   
      Rocky Elam                 Jackson Kinsella   
197   

   

In our final two weight classes of the night, I say this is where we really start to see the separation between NCAA DI & NCAA DII.  Jackson Kinsella is currently the #1 ranked wrestler at 197 in D2.  With 4th & 3rd place All-American finishes thus far, he ends his final year holding a gold plated plaque, it wouldn't surprise me in the slightest.  Rocky Elam has thus far been 5th-4th-3rd-6th in the DI nation, and has the extremely rare opportunity to become one of the very few five-time All Americans this sport has ever seen (or ever will for that matter).  Rankings & I believe soon results say that his fifth medal may very well be cloaked in gold. 

So in other words we have a DI national champion contender taking on a DII national champion contender.  What does that look like? 

I'm going to guess probably pretty dominant for Elam.  Kinsella has wrestled like opponents in the past & Stephen Little majored him 17-5, & Nick Stemmet majored him 14-4.   I think the moral victory here would be keeping this to a decision.  I think that Kinsella can do that. 

IOWA STATE: 27
UNK: 3 

  #1                 Vs              #2
     Yonger Bastida                Crew Howard
      HWT

HWT is going to mirror 197 in a lot of ways.  We have a DI national title contender taking on a D2 national title contender. I'll take it a step further & predict that one day we see Bastida earning Olympic medals for Cuba, to emphasize just how good this wrestler is.  

As to Crew Howard?  Let me say this.  With wins over the likes of Harley Andrews & Peter Ming, I have no doubt that Howard would probably be a top 25 wrestler if he were competing in NCAA Division I.  Swayz and I have talked a lot about it & we both feel based on statistics and results, that would be the case for most top D2 wrestlers if they were to compete in DI.  They'd have respectable records, pull off some great wins, and be qualifiers.  Yet against the top of the top? Against guys like Yonger Bastida?  That's a different story. 

IOWA STATE: 30
UNK: 3


==== 

I respect the Hell out of Nebraska-Kearney for packing up the bags, getting on the bus and traveling the 5 hours it takes to get from Kearney to Ames to do battle with D1's #3 Iowa State Cyclones.  That takes a lot of guts and a lot of tenacity. I have no doubt that each and every one of their wrestlers is going to go out onto the mat and give it 100% .  But this is a D2 Vs D1 dual, and the DI team is ranked #3.  It will reflect that.  

The high school I attended shared their football program with another nearby High school.  The Savages of Sigourney combined with the Eagles of Keota to form the Sigourney-Keota Cobras.   My sophomore year of high school, they won the high school state championship in their division.  I remember the head Coach being asked how he thought the team would fare against Dowling Catholic, who had won the largest Division.  He said while he thought that his boys would put up a good fight, ultimately, it'd probably be a lopsided victory for D.C.    

We have Divisions for a reason, and that is a good thing.  Success is measured in a multitude of ways.  Iowa State will be bringing home a team trophy in DI most likely & UNK will be bringing home a team trophy in D2.  At the end of the day, both are impressive in their own rights.