Iowa
Last season Iowa finished in 4th place with 76 points. This was the 12th straight year that the Hawkeyes finished in the top 5 and 9th straight year not finishing #1. Iowa went 14-1 in duals with their only loss coming against Oklahoma State. Due to the quirks of Big Ten scheduling, Penn State, Ohio State and Michigan were notable absences from the schedule. Iowa won their 28th Midlands team title and placed 3rd at the Big Ten Championship.
This season, in addition to their nine Big Ten dual meets with Penn State, Michigan and Ohio State back on the schedule, Iowa will be hosting UT-Chattanooga, Iowa State (yes, I know it’s in Ames) and Oklahoma State and visiting Princeton. Iowa will also be winning their 29th Midlands team championship. Iowa returns all six of their All-Americans from last season and welcome back two-time AA Michael Kemerer from a season ending injury. The Hawkeyes have a very real shot at ending Penn State’s 4+ season dual win streak at Carver and are in their best position to compete for the team title since the 2014/15 season.
125
Spencer Lee (Jr) <Franklin Regional, PA>
What does Spencer Lee and Vincenzo Joseph have in common? Both are two-time national champions and neither have won a Big 10 or Midlands championship. Lee successfully defended his title last season while wrestling at 83% (or less according to some circles). As the 3 seed at the NCAA Championship, he avenged a dual meet loss by fall to Nick Piccininni (OkSt) and defeated previously undefeated Jack Mueller (UVA) in the championship match. This season Lee will be wrestling an abbreviated collegiate schedule as he prepares to challenge for a spot on the Olympic team. {Bonus: 73.1%, RPI: .717}
133
Gavin Teasdale (Fr) <Jefferson Morgan, PA>
This is one of the intriguing questions about Iowa’s line-up this season. Is Gavin really beating DeSanto in the room? I can believe it. I’ve heard from our intrepid practice room reporter, S. Pyker, that Cael passed on DeSanto after Nico manhandled him during his visit to Penn State. If DeSanto can’t even beat Nico, I don’t think he can beat Teasdale either.
141
Austin DeSanto (Jr) <Exeter, PA>
Max Murin (So) <Central Cambria, PA>
There are more questions here if Teasdale cracks the line-up at 133. Will DeSanto use his redshirt? Will Murin move up to 149 to challenge Lugo? Or will DeSanto and Lugo relegate Murin to the bench? And, the most important question of them all, what’s the over/under for DeSanto penalty points this season? Anyway, DeSanto had a very successful season for the Hawkeyes as a true sophomore @133, going 23-6 and placing 5th at the NCAA Championship from the 7 seed. {Bonus: 41.4%, RPI: .700}
Last season at 141, Max Murin placed 7th at the Big 10 Championship and received the 22 seed at the NCAA Championship. He had a stronger than expected tournament facing only Big 10 opponents with upsets over #11 Tristan Moran (Wisc) and #6 Michael Carr (Illini) before losing to #3 Nick Lee and then to #16 Chad Red (Neb) in the Round of 12. {Bonus: 25.9%, RPI: .611}
149
Pat Lugo (Sr) <South Dade, FL>
While not achieving at the level of some unrealistic fan expectations, Lugo did get to the podium for the first time with an 8 place finish at the NCAA Championship from the 10 seed. He placed 3rd at the Big Ten Championship and his season record was 23-10. {Bonus: 27.8%, RPI: .658}
157
Kaleb Young (Jr) <Punxsutawney, PA>
Young was yet another Hawkeye wrestler to finish higher than his seed at last season’s NCAA Championship. After a 4th place finish at the Big 10 Championship, Young had the 6 seed at the NCAAs. He was sent to the wrestlebacks by <edit> Tyler Berger (Neb) and beat Ryan Deakin (NW) a second time in the 5th place match. With 157 substantially cleared out ahead of him with Nolf, Berger and Pantaleo all gone, Young is starting the season at #2 behind Hayden Hidlay (NCSt). {Bonus: 38.7%, RPI: .674}
165
Alex Marinelli (Jr) <St. Paris Graham, OH>
Will this be the year Alex Marinelli breaks through to win a NCAA Championship? Marinelli will be one of the biggest puzzle pieces that needs to fall into place in order for Iowa to finally end their almost decade long team championship drought.
Question: When was the last time Iowa went 9 straight seasons without winning the national championship?
Answer: 60% of the current population in the USA weren’t born yet.
Last season, Marinelli entered the NCAA Championship en fuego with a 23-0 record and a convincing win over Vincenzo Joseph for the Big 10 Championship, earning the #1 seed. After an early scare against Joe Smith and a victory over #16 Thomas Bullard (NCSt), Marinelli then ran into the story of the tournament, Mekhi Lewis (VT), in the Championship quarterfinals. It didn’t get any easier for Alex in the wrestlebacks as he had to defeat #6 Logan Massa (Mich) just to get back onto the podium. He did defeat Massa and then lost to #5 Chance Marsteller (LHU). Marinelli finished in 7th place, defeating #11 Bryce Steiert (UNI). {Bonus: 51.7%, RPI: .724}
174
Michael Kemerer (Jr) <Franklin Regional, PA>
Kemerer is back from injury to man 174 for the Hawkeyes this season. Kemerer is a two-time AA at 157, placing 3rd in 2017 and 4th in 2018. Like 157, the top of 174 has cleared out a bit with Zahid Valencia moving to 184, Myles Amine taking an Olympic redshirt and Daniel Lewis out of eligibility. In place of Kemerer last season, outgoing senior Mitch Bowman went 8-8 and didn’t qualify for the NCAA Championship.
184
Cash Wilcke (Sr) <OA-BCIG, IA>
After three straight NCAA Championships making it to the Round of 12 or 16, Wilcke will be attempting to finish his collegiate career on the podium. Last season, Wilcke went 23-8 and placed 5th at the Big Ten Championship to get the 12 seed at NCAAs. He had a very close loss in SV-1 to #5 Max Dean (Corn) and lost again in the Round of 16 to #4 Emery Parker (Illini). If you only looked at last year’s NCAA finishes at 184, this weight class has cleared out more than any other with Dakota Geer (OkSt) as the only returning 184 AA from last season. However, there’s still plenty of competition with Zahid moving up to 184, Ben Darmstadt (Corn) coming back from injury and former AAs, Shakur Rasheed and Taylor Venz (Neb) trying to get back to form. {Bonus: 22.6%, .645}
197
Jacob Warnerov (So) <Washington Community, IL>
Warner had a solid season with the Hawkeyes in his first year as a starter going 22-6, placing 3rd at the Big 10 Championship and becoming an All-American. He received the 5 seed for the NCAA Championship and wrestled back for a 7th place finish after being upset by #21 Thomas Lane (Poly) in the 2nd round and #16 Josh Hokit (Fresno) in the consi semis. <Bonus: 21/4%, RPI: .664>
Heavy
Anthony Cassioppi (Fr) <Hononegah, IL>
Cassioppi enters the line-up after a very good redshirt season going 20-2. His two losses were to AA Matt Stencel (CMU) and former R12 Jere Heino (Camp). Cassioppi’s biggest win came against two-time national qualifier, AJ Nevills (Fresno). He definitely has a shot at reaching the podium as long as he doesn’t make any surprise visits to teammates residences in the wee hours of the morning.
Last season at Heavyweight, Sam Stoll had a shot at becoming a two-time All-American even after actually getting shot. Stoll was unable to secure an automatic NCAA bid after being upset by Jacob Aven (Pur) at the Big 10 Championship. However, Stoll did receive an at-large bid and 28 seed from the NCAA. He started the tournament well with big wins over #5 Mason Parris (Mich) and #12 Conan Jennings (NW) before losing to #4 Jordan Wood (Leh) and then #10 Youssif Hemida (MD).
New Faces
Abe Assad <Glenbard North, IL>
Assad is a two-time Illinois state champion @170 in 2018 and @182 in 2019. He was a Cadet Greco national champion at 170 and a Junior Freestyle nation champion at 182.
Last season Iowa finished in 4th place with 76 points. This was the 12th straight year that the Hawkeyes finished in the top 5 and 9th straight year not finishing #1. Iowa went 14-1 in duals with their only loss coming against Oklahoma State. Due to the quirks of Big Ten scheduling, Penn State, Ohio State and Michigan were notable absences from the schedule. Iowa won their 28th Midlands team title and placed 3rd at the Big Ten Championship.
This season, in addition to their nine Big Ten dual meets with Penn State, Michigan and Ohio State back on the schedule, Iowa will be hosting UT-Chattanooga, Iowa State (yes, I know it’s in Ames) and Oklahoma State and visiting Princeton. Iowa will also be winning their 29th Midlands team championship. Iowa returns all six of their All-Americans from last season and welcome back two-time AA Michael Kemerer from a season ending injury. The Hawkeyes have a very real shot at ending Penn State’s 4+ season dual win streak at Carver and are in their best position to compete for the team title since the 2014/15 season.
125
Spencer Lee (Jr) <Franklin Regional, PA>
What does Spencer Lee and Vincenzo Joseph have in common? Both are two-time national champions and neither have won a Big 10 or Midlands championship. Lee successfully defended his title last season while wrestling at 83% (or less according to some circles). As the 3 seed at the NCAA Championship, he avenged a dual meet loss by fall to Nick Piccininni (OkSt) and defeated previously undefeated Jack Mueller (UVA) in the championship match. This season Lee will be wrestling an abbreviated collegiate schedule as he prepares to challenge for a spot on the Olympic team. {Bonus: 73.1%, RPI: .717}
133
Gavin Teasdale (Fr) <Jefferson Morgan, PA>
This is one of the intriguing questions about Iowa’s line-up this season. Is Gavin really beating DeSanto in the room? I can believe it. I’ve heard from our intrepid practice room reporter, S. Pyker, that Cael passed on DeSanto after Nico manhandled him during his visit to Penn State. If DeSanto can’t even beat Nico, I don’t think he can beat Teasdale either.
141
Austin DeSanto (Jr) <Exeter, PA>
Max Murin (So) <Central Cambria, PA>
There are more questions here if Teasdale cracks the line-up at 133. Will DeSanto use his redshirt? Will Murin move up to 149 to challenge Lugo? Or will DeSanto and Lugo relegate Murin to the bench? And, the most important question of them all, what’s the over/under for DeSanto penalty points this season? Anyway, DeSanto had a very successful season for the Hawkeyes as a true sophomore @133, going 23-6 and placing 5th at the NCAA Championship from the 7 seed. {Bonus: 41.4%, RPI: .700}
Last season at 141, Max Murin placed 7th at the Big 10 Championship and received the 22 seed at the NCAA Championship. He had a stronger than expected tournament facing only Big 10 opponents with upsets over #11 Tristan Moran (Wisc) and #6 Michael Carr (Illini) before losing to #3 Nick Lee and then to #16 Chad Red (Neb) in the Round of 12. {Bonus: 25.9%, RPI: .611}
149
Pat Lugo (Sr) <South Dade, FL>
While not achieving at the level of some unrealistic fan expectations, Lugo did get to the podium for the first time with an 8 place finish at the NCAA Championship from the 10 seed. He placed 3rd at the Big Ten Championship and his season record was 23-10. {Bonus: 27.8%, RPI: .658}
157
Kaleb Young (Jr) <Punxsutawney, PA>
Young was yet another Hawkeye wrestler to finish higher than his seed at last season’s NCAA Championship. After a 4th place finish at the Big 10 Championship, Young had the 6 seed at the NCAAs. He was sent to the wrestlebacks by <edit> Tyler Berger (Neb) and beat Ryan Deakin (NW) a second time in the 5th place match. With 157 substantially cleared out ahead of him with Nolf, Berger and Pantaleo all gone, Young is starting the season at #2 behind Hayden Hidlay (NCSt). {Bonus: 38.7%, RPI: .674}
165
Alex Marinelli (Jr) <St. Paris Graham, OH>
Will this be the year Alex Marinelli breaks through to win a NCAA Championship? Marinelli will be one of the biggest puzzle pieces that needs to fall into place in order for Iowa to finally end their almost decade long team championship drought.
Question: When was the last time Iowa went 9 straight seasons without winning the national championship?
Answer: 60% of the current population in the USA weren’t born yet.
Last season, Marinelli entered the NCAA Championship en fuego with a 23-0 record and a convincing win over Vincenzo Joseph for the Big 10 Championship, earning the #1 seed. After an early scare against Joe Smith and a victory over #16 Thomas Bullard (NCSt), Marinelli then ran into the story of the tournament, Mekhi Lewis (VT), in the Championship quarterfinals. It didn’t get any easier for Alex in the wrestlebacks as he had to defeat #6 Logan Massa (Mich) just to get back onto the podium. He did defeat Massa and then lost to #5 Chance Marsteller (LHU). Marinelli finished in 7th place, defeating #11 Bryce Steiert (UNI). {Bonus: 51.7%, RPI: .724}
174
Michael Kemerer (Jr) <Franklin Regional, PA>
Kemerer is back from injury to man 174 for the Hawkeyes this season. Kemerer is a two-time AA at 157, placing 3rd in 2017 and 4th in 2018. Like 157, the top of 174 has cleared out a bit with Zahid Valencia moving to 184, Myles Amine taking an Olympic redshirt and Daniel Lewis out of eligibility. In place of Kemerer last season, outgoing senior Mitch Bowman went 8-8 and didn’t qualify for the NCAA Championship.
184
Cash Wilcke (Sr) <OA-BCIG, IA>
After three straight NCAA Championships making it to the Round of 12 or 16, Wilcke will be attempting to finish his collegiate career on the podium. Last season, Wilcke went 23-8 and placed 5th at the Big Ten Championship to get the 12 seed at NCAAs. He had a very close loss in SV-1 to #5 Max Dean (Corn) and lost again in the Round of 16 to #4 Emery Parker (Illini). If you only looked at last year’s NCAA finishes at 184, this weight class has cleared out more than any other with Dakota Geer (OkSt) as the only returning 184 AA from last season. However, there’s still plenty of competition with Zahid moving up to 184, Ben Darmstadt (Corn) coming back from injury and former AAs, Shakur Rasheed and Taylor Venz (Neb) trying to get back to form. {Bonus: 22.6%, .645}
197
Jacob Warnerov (So) <Washington Community, IL>
Warner had a solid season with the Hawkeyes in his first year as a starter going 22-6, placing 3rd at the Big 10 Championship and becoming an All-American. He received the 5 seed for the NCAA Championship and wrestled back for a 7th place finish after being upset by #21 Thomas Lane (Poly) in the 2nd round and #16 Josh Hokit (Fresno) in the consi semis. <Bonus: 21/4%, RPI: .664>
Heavy
Anthony Cassioppi (Fr) <Hononegah, IL>
Cassioppi enters the line-up after a very good redshirt season going 20-2. His two losses were to AA Matt Stencel (CMU) and former R12 Jere Heino (Camp). Cassioppi’s biggest win came against two-time national qualifier, AJ Nevills (Fresno). He definitely has a shot at reaching the podium as long as he doesn’t make any surprise visits to teammates residences in the wee hours of the morning.
Last season at Heavyweight, Sam Stoll had a shot at becoming a two-time All-American even after actually getting shot. Stoll was unable to secure an automatic NCAA bid after being upset by Jacob Aven (Pur) at the Big 10 Championship. However, Stoll did receive an at-large bid and 28 seed from the NCAA. He started the tournament well with big wins over #5 Mason Parris (Mich) and #12 Conan Jennings (NW) before losing to #4 Jordan Wood (Leh) and then #10 Youssif Hemida (MD).
New Faces
Abe Assad <Glenbard North, IL>
Assad is a two-time Illinois state champion @170 in 2018 and @182 in 2019. He was a Cadet Greco national champion at 170 and a Junior Freestyle nation champion at 182.
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