University of Iowa Athletics
Nelson  Brands - Men's Wrestling - University of Iowa Athletics

Nelson Brands

Height 5-9
Weight 174 lbs.
Class Sr.
Hometown Iowa City, Iowa
High School Iowa City West

2023-24
• Did not compete

2022-23
• NCAA All-American
• Finished 5th at Big Ten Championships, earning an automatic spot in NCAA Championships
• No. 11 seed at the NCAA Championships, posting a 5-2 record
• Advanced to quarterfinals at NCAAs, won three of four matches in consolations to finish fifth… won matches against No. 15, No. 5, No. 11, No. 7 and No. 6 ranked wrestlers
• Ranked as high as No. 11 nationally
• Posted a 15-8 overall record at 174 pounds with one major decision
• Went 6-4 in duals and 3-3 in Big Ten duals
• Scored 19 team dual points
• Went 9-8 against ranked opponents
• Recipient of the Most Improved Award
• Academic All-Big Ten selection
• Letterwinner

2021-22
• Posted at 5-1 overall record at 174 pounds
• Scored 17 team points in dual competition
• Recorded two major decisions and went 1-0 in overtime matches during the season
• Climbed as high as No. 14 in the national rankings
• Dean’s List honoree during spring semester
• Letterwinner

2020-21
• Posted a 8-6 overall record at 184 pounds
• Started all five conference duals, posting a 3-2 record
• Had seven wins over ranked opponents
• Placed fourth at the Big Ten Championships to earn an automatic berth to the NCAA Championships
• No.12 seed at the NCAA Championships
• Reached as high as No. 6 in the national rankings
• Named Most Improved Wrestler by coaching staff
• Letterwinner

 

2019-20
• Posted a 9-4 overall record at 184 pounds, competing in two tournaments
• Posted a 2-2 dual record, going 1-1 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena, and scoring six team points in dual competition
• Won title at Don Parker Blugold Open
• Recorded two pins, two major decisions and one technical fall
• Letterwinner

2018-19
• Redshirted
• Recorded an 18-0 overall record competing unattached in four tournaments
• Scored bonus points in 10 matches, including three technical falls, three major decisions, and four pins
• Won tournament titles at the Grand View Open, Lindenwood Open, UNI Open, and Loras Open

High School
• Three-time Iowa high school state champion
• Won the 160-pound title in 2018, the 152-pound title in 2017, and the 138-pound title in 2016
• Three-time first team all-conference and all-state
• Named team MVP in 2017
• Holds school records for takedowns in a season (485) and in a career (1,250)
• Fastest pin recorded in seven seconds
• Placed third at 2016 UWW Cadet Nationals
• Placed third at Fargo Junior Nationals in 2018

Personal
• Born February 11, 1999
• Son of Terry and Michelle Brands
• Has one sister, Sydney
• Father Terry is Iowa’s associate head coach and a two-time NCAA champion at the University of Iowa
• Majoring in sport and recreation management (coaching & sport instruction)

Overall Dual Big Ten Dual Dual Pts. Big Ten NCAA OT MD TF Pins Fastest
Year Record Record Record Scored Place Place W/L W/L W/L W/L Pin
2019-20 9-4 2-2 0-0 6 1-1 2-0 1-0 2-0 2:54
2020-21 8-6 3-2 3-2 10 4th dnp 0-1 1-1 0-0 0-0 – –
2021-22 5-1 5-1 0-0 17 1-0 2-0 0-0 0-0
2022-23 15-8 6-4 3-3 19 5th 5th 2-2 1-0 0-0 0-0
Career 37-19 16-9 6-5 52 4-4 6-1 1-0 2-0 2:54