The Iowa Hawkeyes made their mark on the college wrestling scene by defeating the Oklahoma State Cowboys 21-16 at the Carver-Hawkeye Arena on February 23, 2025. This thrilling dual not only showcased the fierce rivalry between these two prestigious programs but also clinched Iowa's standing as one of the top teams heading toward the postseason.
This match had all the makings of a classic, with both teams bringing stellar lineups and intense energy. The dual kicked off with 125-pound wrestlers taking the spotlight, with Oklahoma State's No. 4 Troy Spratley defeating Iowa's No. 16 Joey Cruz decisively with a major decision, 17-3. Spratley’s performance set the tone early, logging five takedowns and establishing his dominance.
But the Hawkeyes weren't about to back down. At 133 pounds, Iowa's No. 2 Drake Ayala, fresh off his impressive season, faced Rin Sakamoto, who was making his dual debut for Oklahoma State. Ayala quickly took control and emerged victorious with an 11-1 major decision, tying things up and demonstrating Iowa's capability to respond.
Next was the 141-pound match, where Oklahoma State's No. 5 Tagen Jamison continued the Cowboys' strong showing against Iowa's Jace Rhodes. Jamison, with his usual vigor, secured another major decision, 8-0, pushing OSU to an 8-4 lead.
But close behind, Iowa’s No. 3 Kyle Parco countered by winning against OSU’s No. 18 Carter Young, edging out with a 7-1 decision. The competition remained tight as Iowa climbed back, and they were just one point behind at 8-7.
The match at 157 pounds saw Iowa’s No. 3 Jacori Teemer wrestle against Caleb Fish. Teemer's cunning tactics paid off, winning the match 10-6 but not without drama as he faced stalling calls.
With the dual tied at 10-8, the tension escalated as the bouts continued. At 165 pounds, No. 2 Michael Caliendo faced off against Oklahoma State’s Cameron Amine. Caliendo delivered, winning 10-1, giving the Hawkeyes the lead at 14-8.
Heading to the 174-pound match, OSU’s No. 3 Dean Hamiti displayed his skill by defeating Iowa's Nelson Brands 8-1, keeping the Cowboys within reach at 14-11. The stakes grew evidently higher during the highly anticipated 184-pound match between Oklahoma State’s No. 3 Dustin Plott and Iowa's true freshman Angelo Ferrari.
This bout proved to be the turning point of the night. With the match tied 3-3 entering sudden victory, Plott had ridden out Ferrari for the entire third period, demonstrating his experience and skill. But the true freshman remained undeterred, responding with exceptional agility and composure.
With the clock winding down, Ferrari seized the moment, scoring the decisive takedown after several scrambles and tough exchanges, culminating his victory over Plott with a score of 6-3. This victory shifted the dual’s momentum decisively, putting Iowa up 17-11 and electrifying the crowd.
The match concluded with Iowa's No. 1 Stephen Buchanan dominating No. 6 Luke Surber at 197 pounds, securing another major decision at 10-1. This clinched the overall victory for Iowa, and even though OSU’s Wyatt Hendrickson managed to close out the dual with a technical fall against Ben Kueter, it wasn’t enough to turn the tide.
The final score of 21-16 not only reflected Iowa's strength but also handed Oklahoma State their first loss of the season, bringing their record to 13-1, as the Hawkeyes improved to 14-1. Both teams are gearing up for the Big 12 Championships scheduled for March 8-9, where they will seek redemption and aim for national qualification.
This dual served as both entertainment and preparation for the prestigious collegiate wrestling postseason, with all eyes now on how these athletes will fare when competing for championship titles. The intensity and spirit exhibited during this contest sets high expectations for environments of competition to come, making it clear why these rivalries are cherished traditions.