The undefeated Iowa Hawkeyes host the Fighting Illini on Friday January 17th at 6 pm in Iowa City Iowa. This is always a fun one for Hawkeye Fans. Illinois brings a solid 7-1 record, while the Hawkeyes are a perfect 7-0. While Iowa is heavily favored, several  intriguing match-ups do exist.149 will be fantastic and Webster (despite being from Illinois) is one of my favorite wrestlers. Ayala vs Byrd at 133 should also be a good one. Arnold and Ruth at 184 is another one, you won’t want to miss!

History: Iowa leads the series 12-2 and has won the last 10 in a row! The last time these two met Iowa won 36-6 in Champaign in 2024.

Keys To Victory: For Iowa its simple, just show up. For Illinois it’s a little more complicated, their best bet to leave without a loss is the meet getting canceled by blizzard or power outage. Iowa is favored in 7 of the 10 bouts.

125 Joey Cruz VS  Caelen Riley

133 Drake Ayala #3 VS Lucas Byrd #2

141 Jace Rhodes VS Danny Pucino #17

149 Kyle Parco #4 VS Kannon Webster #11

157 Jacori Teemer #1 or Miguel Estrada  VS Jason Kraisser #32

165 Michael Caliendo #2 VS Braeden Scoles #12

174 Patrick Kennedy #6 VS Danny Braunagel #19

184 Gabe Arnold #6 VS Edmond Ruth #13

197 Steven Buchanan #1 VS Zac Braunagel #11

285 Ben Kueter #13 VS Luke Luffman #11

Conclusion: Iowa is favored in 7 of the 10 matches, Illinois is favored at 133, 141, and Heavyweight. I see Iowa winning 9 of the 10 bouts and securing a 28-3 victory.

Located at 982 IL-146, in Golconda, Illinois. Tucked away in the rolling hills of Pope County, Illinois, lies Dixon Springs State Park, a hidden gem waiting to be explored. With its unique sandstone cliffs, rocky ravines, and lush forests, this 292-acre park is a nature lover’s paradise. For more information, click here.

Dixon Springs State Park offers several recreational activities, including hiking, camping, and picnicking. The park features 45 campsites with electric hookups, as well as several primitive sites. The park’s natural area features unique geological formations, including sandstone cliffs and rocky ravines. Visitors can explore the park’s many trails, which range from easy to challenging. Dixon Springs State Park is also home to a variety of wildlife, including white-tailed deer, turkey, and rabbit.

As you wander through the park’s many trails, you’ll discover a diverse range of flora and fauna. Keep an eye out for white-tailed deer, turkey, and rabbit, as they roam freely through the park’s woods and meadows. The park’s natural beauty is also a haven for birdwatchers, with numerous species calling Dixon Springs home.

For those who love the great outdoors, Dixon Springs State Park offers a range of recreational activities to suit all interests. Hike through the park’s scenic trails, pitch a tent and spend the night under the stars, or simply sit back and enjoy a picnic with family and friends.

One of the park’s standout features is its stunning geological formations. The sandstone cliffs and rocky ravines that crisscross the park are a testament to the region’s unique geological history. Take a moment to appreciate the intricate patterns and colors of the rock formations – it’s a truly breathtaking sight.

Popular activities at the park include: Hiking, Camping, Picnicking, Hunting, and Fishing! The park also has a modern swimming pool, bathhouse, and 45-foot water slide are provided for swimmers’ enjoyment. A lifeguard is on duty at all times. Towering oaks, elms, and birch trees shade the pool.

Whether you’re a nature enthusiast, a photographer, or simply someone who loves spending time outdoors, Dixon Springs State Park is a must-visit destination. So pack a picnic, grab your hiking boots, and come and discover the natural beauty of this Illinois gem.

For more of the best adventures in the United States, click here. For the best nearby parks and amazing locations, click here. For the best Hotels, Resorts, and Vacation Homes, click here.

The #7 UNI Panthers are back on the mat on Friday January 17th in Tempe Arizona, against #18 Arizona State in what should be an outstanding meet. The dual features 14 ranked wrestlers and 4 ranked head to head bouts. Each team has a returning NCAA Champion on their roster, so this dual is a must see.

Don’t Miss: The dual features 2 NCAA Champions, and another NCAA finalist. However the bout of the night takes place at 165 lbs. 141 should also be good!

Keys To Victory:  UNI is favored in 5 of the 10 bouts and need to take full advantage and score as many points as possible in each of them. I expect Arizona State to score big points at 125 and Heavyweight. So the Panthers will need every match they can get.

125 Trevor Anderson #23 vs  Richard Figueroa #3

133 Julian Farber vs Julian Chlebove #18

141 Cael Happel #5 vs     Emilio Ysaguirre

149 Colin Realbuto #15 vs Jesse Vasquez #13

157 Ryder Downey #4 vs Michael Kilic

165 Jack Thomsen #18 vs Nicco Ruiz #15

174 Jared Simma #16 vs Chance Mclane

184 Parker Keckeisen #2 vs Azizbek Fayzullaev

197 Wyatt Voelker #13 vs Jacob Meissner

285 Lance Runyon #17 vs Cohlton Schultz #4

Conclusion: This is a great dual featuring a few of the best wrestlers in the country. I can see UNI winning 7 of the 10 bouts and cruising to a 24-9 victory. The big question for this meet is weather or not Richard Figueroa, will wrestle.

The Cozy Cottage in Branson Missouri is a dream come true romantic getaway destination! Just imagine sitting in the hot-tub, or roasting marshmallows next to the fire with that special someone. Well you can do all that and more at this adult only vacation home, with a private waterfall swimming hole! For more information or to check prices and availability, click here.

The property is 550 square feet, with one bedroom and one bathroom, and can accommodate two adults. The inside features a 55″ smart TV, mini fridge, microwave and Keurig. Wireless internet and Netflix are provided. It features a private outdoor covered porch with a hot tub and gas fire pit to enjoy year round.

The Cozy Cottage is located just 12 minutes from the famous Branson Strip, and there is still plenty of dates available this summer. Don’t wait until its to late book now!

Cozy Cottage is located directly in front of the swimming pond and from the front porch there are sensational views of the beautiful swimming pond and its 3 waterfalls that is open for swimming during the summer months.

Unwind by your private hot tub or snuggle up by the fireplace’s warm glow as you gaze out at breathtaking views of the tranquil swimming pond. This is one vacation home you will want to visit again and again!

For more of the best adventures in the United States, click here. For the best nearby parks and amazing locations, click here. For the best Hotels, Resorts, and Vacation Homes, click here.

A picturesque setting, Pounds Hollow campground and lake are tucked away amongst the Shawnee Hills, where you can relax and get away from it all. Completed in the early 1940’s, Pounds Hollow Lake is popular for the same reasons it was 60 years ago and continues to provide opportunities to picnic, fish, swim, camp and hike. Ponds Hollow Recreation Area is located near Harrisburg Illinois in Shawnee National Forest in Illinois. For more information, click here.

The Pine Ridge Campground is located on the ridge-top above Pounds Hollow Lake and offers 13 electric sites and 22 non-electric campsites, each with a picnic table, lantern pole and fire ring with grill.  Water spigot is located at the campground entrance across from pay station.  20, 30 & 50 amp at electric campsites.

Day-use Activities: At 25 acres, Pounds Hollow Lake is large enough to provide its many visitors some seclusion during their visit. This day-use area offers swimming, picnicking, fishing, boating and hiking. No public boat ramp is available.  There are several lakeside picnic sites, plus a fishing pier and a large picnic shelter overlooking the beach.

Lake and Pond Fishing: This 25 acres Lake was built in 1940 and provided much sought after pastimes, before the electronic gadgets of today.  There is a fishing pier just below the parking lot. In addition to the pier, shoreline fishing is good on the southwest side of the Lake.  A small dirt trail leads to the other side of the lake, but the trail is dense with vegetation and casting is more difficult on that side of the Lake.

Only small boats and electric motors are allowed on the lake. The lake contains largemouth bass, channel catfish and sunfish. The tranquil surroundings of the area are a great way to spend an afternoon enjoying the outdoors.

For more of the best adventures in the United States, click here. For the best nearby parks and amazing locations, click here. For the best Hotels, Resorts, and Vacation Homes, click here.