Iowa City was buzzing with anticipation as the No. 3 Iowa Hawkeyes faced off against the No. 2 Oklahoma State Cowboys on February 23, 2025, at the legendary Carver-Hawkeye Arena. This highly anticipated wrestling dual, drawing 8,000 fans, was not just any match; it was the 58th confrontation between two giants of collegiate wrestling.
The significance of this event wasn't lost on Iowa's head coach Tom Brands, who reflected on the deep history of rivalry when he stated, "This is definitely a place where wrestling is relevant... That’s exciting. We love it." The excitement was palpable as both teams prepared to battle for supremacy. Brands called it another chapter of the historic series, which has seen the Cowboys currently leading with 29 victories to Iowa’s 26, yet Iowa had won eight of the last ten meetings. This dual marked another chance for the Hawkeyes to assert dominance.
The dual featured some thrilling matchups, with Iowa’s true freshman Angelo Ferrari stealing the spotlight at 184 pounds. Stepping in for starter Gabe Arnold, Ferrari pulled off a stunning upset against All-American Dustin Plott, winning 6-3 after forcing sudden victory. His performance not only electrified the home crowd but also proved pivotal for Iowa, as they were leading 14-11 heading to unexpected territory. “He stepped up big for us,” said Brands, highlighting the importance of young talent stepping to the fore.
Before Ferrari's match, the dual was already shaping up to be dramatic, with the teams trading victories. Iowa’s Drake Ayala, ranked No. 2, earned impressive points with an 11-1 major decision over Rin Sakamoto, tying the team score early on. Following Ayala, Kyle Parco and Jacori Teemer brought home victories, keeping Iowa competitive. Parco, who defeated No. 18 Carter Young 7-1, showcased Iowa's depth, even against Oklahoma State's historically strong lineup.
On the other hand, the Cowboys had solid performances of their own. Troy Spratley kickstarted the night with dominant 17-3 victory over Iowa's Joey Cruz at 125 pounds, putting Oklahoma State on the board first. Following this, Tagen Jamison secured bonus points at 141 pounds with an 8-0 shutout victory over Jace Rhodes. Jamison's ability to control the tempo kept momentum on the Cowboy's side early.
The dual ramped up tension at 165 pounds as Iowa's No. 2 Mikey Caliendo outperformed Cameron Amine, taking the victory 10-1 and extending the Hawkeyes' lead to 14 points. It was these strategic bonuses, coupled with individual determination, which demonstrated Iowa's resolve to not only compete but to dominate.
At 197 pounds, Iowa's Stephen Buchanan, ranked No. 1 nationally, showcased his elite status with a decisive 10-1 victory over No. 6 Luke Surber. Bounding with energy, he reiterated the importance of preparation heading toward the Big Ten Championships set to commence soon. “You come in and do the work,” Buchanan said, emphasizing the team’s work ethic.
Yet, as the dual reached its climax with the heavyweights, all eyes turned to the final contest. Oklahoma State’s Wyatt Hendrickson, also ranked No. 3, was expected to swing the dual back toward the Cowboys by facing off against Iowa's Ben Kueter. Hendrickson’s technical prowess had proven too much for opponents throughout the year, and he showcased his dominant skillset with another technical fall victory.
Despite Hendrickson's late onslaught, Iowa still held firm, sealing victories through smart wrestling early on. The final score settled at 21-16, favoring the Hawkeyes. "We’re just going to keep getting more formidable with every match," Ayala optimistically noted after the match, hinting at the team's focus on progressing toward the championship part of the season.
The rivalry between Iowa and Oklahoma State is one steeped not only in wins and losses but also in the wrestlers' individual journeys. Both teams will now shift their attention to the upcoming conference tournaments, with aspirations of achieving gold at the national level.
With the dual season closing, the Hawkeyes look forward to utilizing the energy from their victory to fuel their drive for success as they prepare for the upcoming NCAA Championships. This dual served as yet another reminder of why wrestling holds such reverence at the collegiate level, with its combination of athleticism, tenacity, and legacy exciting fans on the edge of their seats.