The University of Iowa men’s wrestling team, currently ranked third nationally, will host No. 19 Pittsburgh on November 21 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The event marks the first meeting between the two programs and the Panthers become the 121st unique opponent for the Hawkeyes.
Friday’s dual will be broadcast live on Big Ten Network with Shane Sparks and Jim Gibbons providing commentary. Fans can also listen to coverage via AM 800 KXIC, the Hawkeye Radio Network, or online at hawkeyesports.com (via YouTube), with Steven Grace and Mark Ironside on the call. Updates will be available through Iowa wrestling’s official social media channels.
Iowa’s probable lineup features several high-ranked wrestlers, including Dean Peterson at 125 pounds, Drake Ayala at 133 pounds, and Patrick Kennedy at 174 pounds. Multiple weight classes have potential alternates listed as well.
In recent competition history, Patrick Kennedy holds a win over Pitt’s Luca Augustine from last year’s NCAA Championships. Ben Kueter also has a victory against Dayton Pitzer from the same event.
Massoma Endene has made an immediate impact since joining Division I this season, maintaining a perfect record and extending his overall winning streak to 67 matches across divisions. Endene was previously a three-time NCAA Division III Champion.
The Hawkeyes enter this matchup following a runner-up finish at the National Duals Invitational, where they earned $170,000 in prize money after defeating several ranked teams before falling to Ohio State in the finals. This marked Iowa’s fifth second-place finish at National Duals in program history.
Several athletes made their debuts for Iowa during a decisive win over Bellarmine earlier this month: Nasir Bailey, Massoma Endene, Dean Peterson, and Jordan Williams all competed for the first time in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
The roster includes multiple sets of brothers currently competing or coaching for Iowa men’s wrestling—Drake and Dru Ayala; Joey and Patrick Kennedy; Victor and Kael Voinovich—as well as head coach Tom Brands and associate head coach Terry Brands.
Five All-Americans are present on this season’s roster: Drake Ayala (125/133), Nasir Bailey (133), Michael Caliendo (165), Patrick Kennedy (174), and Ben Kueter (285). The program has produced at least one All-American in each of the past 54 tournaments since 1972.
Iowa’s home venue offers complimentary Cambus shuttle service from Hancher Auditorium Parking Lot when available on meet days. The new Goschke Family Wrestling Training Center opened in May 2024 as a $31 million facility supporting both men’s and women’s wrestling programs with expanded practice space and amenities.
Last season saw Iowa average more than 13,600 fans per home date—the highest attendance nationally for collegiate wrestling—and achieve two capacity crowds exceeding 14,800 spectators each. The program has led national attendance figures throughout Tom Brands’ tenure as head coach.
Ten current Hawkeyes have NCAA Championships experience. Last season concluded with a third-place finish at Big Ten Championships and fourth place nationally; five athletes achieved All-American status while ten were named Academic All-Big Ten honorees by maintaining GPAs above 3.0.
Looking ahead to their schedule, nine of fifteen dual opponents are ranked in the top-25 nationally according to preseason polls. Major televised events include appearances on BTN against Pittsburgh, Penn State, Michigan; road duals versus Nebraska and Ohio State; as well as broadcasts on ESPN networks for other key matchups.
Former Hawkeye Spencer Lee won silver at the Paris Olympics in 2024—the eleventh Olympic medalist produced by Iowa wrestling.
The Hawkeyes’ historical achievements include twenty-four national team titles—more than any other school—alongside thirty-seven Big Ten championships. Since moving into Carver-Hawkeye Arena in 1983, Iowa boasts an all-time home record of .914 winning percentage under current leadership.
Following Friday’s meet against Pittsburgh, Iowa will travel to face rival Iowa State in Ames on November 30 as part of the annual Cy-Hawk Series; that dual will air live on ESPN.