RIVERSIDE, California – The second-ranked University of Iowa wrestling team won all 10 matches – eight via bonus points – in a 40-0 shutout of California Baptist on Saturday evening in its season opener at the Dale E. and Sarah Ann Fowler Events Center.
The Hawkeyes had two technical falls and six major decisions, while having a 31-1 advantage in takedowns as they notched their first victory of the 2023-24 season in blowout fashion.
“Guys that had opportunities came out ready to wrestle,” said associate head coach Terry Brands. “Looking to score points and for the most part they are wrestling through and protecting themselves with great wrestling position. Building leads. I learned that we have a room full of competitors. I learned that what I thought I knew, I knew. It’s every week though, now it’s in the past we gotta move forward.”
Iowa stormed out to a 13-0 lead in the first three matches. Sophomore Drake Ayala picked up a ranked win over Elijah Griffin via a major decision. Senior Brody Teske used a big third period to put away Hunter Leake with a major decision before Real Woods used just 2:04 to record a technical fall against Darren Green.
The next three weights saw three new faces make their Hawkeye debuts. Sophomore Victor Voinovich recorded a, 2-0, decision over Dayne Morton before grad student Jared Franek closed out the first half of the dual with an, 8-1, decision over Drayden Morton. Sophomore Michael Caliendo recorded the Hawkeyes second technical fall of the night and their first of five straight bonus point victories out of the break over Mateo De La Pena.
“I felt great, you know, not really more to it. I mean, I train every day, so no business as usual,” said Caliendo. “Business as usual you know, there’s not really any nerves. All the training is done once you get here. Just go out on the mat and do what I know how to do best, wrestle.”