ST. CHARLES, Missouri – The University of Iowa wrestling squad secured two dual victories on Friday evening at Francis Howell High School as part of the Journeymen ‘Uncivil War’. The Hawkeyes triumphed over Princeton with a score of 39-3, followed by a 23-16 win against Army in the latter match. This second victory marked head […]
ST. CHARLES, Missouri – The University of Iowa wrestling squad secured two dual victories on Friday evening at Francis Howell High School as part of the Journeymen ‘Uncivil War’. The Hawkeyes triumphed over Princeton with a score of 39-3, followed by a 23-16 win against Army in the latter match.
This second victory marked head coach Tom Brand’s milestone 300th career dual win.
“We have plenty of work ahead of us,” Brands remarked. “This squad has much to improve on. A good coach focuses on the future rather than the past.”
The Hawkeyes emerged victorious in 15 of the 20 matches across the two duals, earning bonus points in 11 contests.
In the first dual of the evening, Iowa secured nine wins against Princeton, including six consecutive bonus-point victories.
The run of technical fall wins for Iowa began with Kyle Parco at 149, who defeated Christopher Martino 17-2. Miguel Estrada made his dual debut with a victory over Cody Tavoso, winning 21-6 at 157. Michael Caliendo achieved a 19-3 victory over Hudson Hightower at 165, and Nelson Brands finished with a 20-4 result against Xavier Giles at 174.
At 197, Stephen Buchanan also recorded a technical fall, defeating No. 18 Luke Stout 18-3.
Iowa also gained major decision wins from Drake Ayala, who defeated Daniel Jones 13-2 at 133, and Gabe Arnold, who triumphed over 27th ranked Michael Squires with a score of 19-6 at 184.
“It feels great to get out there,” Ayala stated. “Not everything went flawlessly, but it’s early December, meaning there’s still a long way to March. We have a lot to work on.”
In addition, Iowa secured a decision win at 125 with Joey Cruz overcoming No. 30 Ethan Rivera 6-1. The dual concluded with Ben Kueter’s 8-2 decision against No. 33 Sebastian Garibaldi.
Beginning the dual against Army with a 4-0 deficit, the Hawkeyes responded at 133 with Drake Ayala’s win over No. 23 Ethan Berginc, 7-3. Army took the lead at 141 before Kyle Parco achieved a major decision over No. 26 Trae McDaniel, tying the dual at 7-7.
A pin for Army at 157 once again placed them in the lead, but Iowa responded with four consecutive victories to secure the match. At 165, Michael Caliendo delivered a major decision over 13th ranked Gunner Flipowicz, 11-2. Patrick Kennedy added a technical fall at 174 against No. 31 Dalton Harkins, winning 21-4.
Gabe Arnold staged a comeback at 184, winning by decision 11-7 over Andrew Christie to bring the score to 18-13. Stephen Buchanan solidified the dual for the Hawkeyes at 197, defeating No. 18 Luke Stout via technical fall, 18-3.
“The coaches emphasize being prepared for all scenarios,” Arnold noted. “Being down 5-0 is unfamiliar for me, but it signifies significant progress. Last year, I doubt I could have recovered from that situation as I did.”
Army wrapped up the dual with a victory at heavyweight, resulting in a final score of 23-16.
No. 2 Iowa 39, Princeton 3
125 | Joey Cruz (I) dec. #30 Ethan Rivera (P), 6-1
133 | #6 Drake Ayala (I) major dec. Daniel Jones (P), 13-2
141 | Eligh Rivera (P) dec. Cullan Schreiver (I), 4-2
149 | #4 Kyle Parco (I) tech. fall Christopher Martino (P), 17-2
157 | Miguel Estrada (I) tech. fall Cody Tavoso (P), 21-6
165 | #2 Michael Caliendo tech. fall Hudson Hightower, 19-3
174 | #8 Nelson Brands (I) tech. fall Xavier Giles (P), 20-4
184 | #8 Gabe Arnold (I) major dec. #27 Michael Squires (P), 19-6
197 | #2 Stephen Buchanan (I) tech. fall #18 Luke Stout (P), 18-3
285 | #13 Ben Kueter (I) dec. #33 Sebastian Garibaldi (P), 8-2
Officials: Pete Mankowich, Matt Zeitz
No. 2 Iowa 23, Army West Point 16
125 | #22 Charles Farmer (A) major dec. Joey Cruz (I), 8-0
133 | #6 Drake Ayala (I) dec. #23 Ethan Berginc (A), 7-3
141 | #29 Braden Basile (A) dec. Cullan Schriever (I), 11-6
149 | #4 Kyle Parco (I) major dec. #26 Trae McDaniel (A), 14-5
157 | Dakota Morris (A) pinned Kael Voinovich (I), 6:00
165 | #2 Michael Caliendo (I) major dec. #13 Gunner Flipowicz (A), 11-2
174 | Patrick Kennedy (I) tech. fall #31 Dalton Harkins (A), 21-4
184 | #8 Gabe Arnold (I) dec. Andrew Christie (A), 11-7
197 | Stephen Buchanan (I) tech. fall Wolfgang Frable (A), 20-4
285 | #27 Lucas Stoddard (A) dec. Easton Fleshman (I), 2-0
*Iowa was deducted a team point during the 165-pound bout.
Officials: Matt Zeitz, Pete Mankowich
