CORALVILLE, Iowa — The University of Iowa wrestling team won the 2024 Soldier Salute team title scoring 248 points as seven wrestlers brought home individual titles.
“We have a lot of work to do,” said head coach Tom Brands. “We are going into a training phase now, with our next dual meet being January 12. This competition here we love it, in our own back yard/front yard we love it.”
Drake Ayala won the 133-pound title with a technical fall over teammate Kale Petersen.
Following the All-Iowa final, a pair of Hawkeyes won top-10 matchups to clinch their titles with Kyle Parco defeating No. 6 Lachlan McNeil of UNC, 8-5, and Michael Caliendo defeating ninth-ranked Andrew Sparks, 7-6.
“He is a good opponent, I was looking forward to the whole tournament,” said Parco. “It was a good win, but I think I need to wrestle a full match. I have a lot of things I need to work on. I like the criticism; I like that I have more to work on. It gives me to something to do when I go in the room on Monday or Tuesday.”
Patrick Kennedy also took down a ranked opponent en route to his title at 174 pounds. Kennedy won a 6-2 decision over Navy’s 18th-ranked Danny Wask.
Angelo Ferrari accepted a medical forfeit over teammate and sixth-ranked Gabe Arnold at 184-pounds.
Stephen Buchanan (197) defeated Missouri’s Aeoden Sinclair via major decision, 15-4, and Ben Kueter (285) won a tight 1-0 decision against Minnesota’s Bennett Tabor.
In the consolation bracket, Jace Rhodes took fourth at 141 pounds, while Joey Cruz (125) and Cullan Schriever (141) each took sixth.
The Hawkeyes return to action opening Big Ten competition against Wisconsin on Jan. 12.