The University of Iowa wrestling team, ranked seventh nationally, secured a 19-17 win over No. 10 Michigan on Friday at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City. Both teams won five matches each, but technical falls by Iowa wrestlers at 133 and 165 pounds proved decisive.
“It is important to the team,” said head coach Tom Brands. “Those are five-point wins, each of them. There was never a question like, oh, I’m going to feel it out and see if this guy is going to crack or not. It was foot on the gas, smart wrestling, foot on the gas. They just went out and got the tech fall.”
Iowa finished with more takedowns than Michigan (18 to 10) and led in total match points (67–58). The dual began at 141 pounds where Kale Petersen lost by major decision to Michigan’s Dylan Ragusin after a late takedown secured bonus points for the Wolverines.
Michigan built an early lead as Lachlan McNeil defeated Ryder Block and Cameron Catrabone overcame Jordan Williams with a late takedown at 157 pounds.
Iowa’s Michael Caliendo responded at 165 pounds with a technical fall over Justin Gates, scoring seven takedowns in his final home appearance for the Hawkeyes.
At 174 pounds, Beau Mantanona edged Patrick Kennedy in sudden victory overtime following a stall call that tied the match in regulation.
Gabe Arnold gave Iowa another win at 184 pounds by defeating Brock Mantanona in tiebreakers with riding time advantage. Freshman Harvey Ludington earned his first Carver-Hawkeye Arena victory by beating Hayden Walters at 197 pounds.
“It was awesome,” said Ludington of the crowd. “I’ve never felt anything like that. Obviously, in high school in Jersey you have a big arena for state and stuff, but nothing like Carver. Hearing everyone yelling as one big noise is awesome.”
Michigan extended its lead when Taye Ghadiali defeated Ben Kueter by major decision at heavyweight.
With two matches left and trailing by six points, Dean Peterson kept Iowa’s hopes alive with an overtime win against Diego Sotelo at 125 pounds.
Drake Ayala then clinched the dual for Iowa with a technical fall over Gauge Botero at 133 pounds after accumulating multiple takedowns throughout the match.
“You have to focus on your match, but then again you’re in the arena; you know what is going on,” Ayala said. “But I knew if I just wrestled my match, I knew what I was capable of. It is a little of both, a little bit staying in your match but also having a little more energy than normal.”
Attendance for the event was reported as 11,483.