Iowa State returns a solid team after an impressive 15-1 season last year. The team is led by NCAA Champion David Carr and all-americans Marcus Coleman, and Yonger Bastida. I expect another outstanding year for the Cyclones as they carry a ton of momentum into the new season. In this article we will take a look at the starters at each weight class and maybe even give a prediction of where they might finish in March.
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Kysen Terukina is back for his junior season after an impressive sophomore campaign. Last season he finished with a 15-8 record with 3 of those being bonus point victories. He finished 8th at the Big 12 tournament making him a 2x NCAA qualifier. He also won tournaments at the Grand View Open and Warren Williamson Daktronics Open. I look for Kysen to improve on last season and finish the year an all-american.
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Ramazan Attasauov also had an outstanding sophomore season. Ramazan brings and overall record of 46-18 into his junior year. Last season he had a solid 16-8 record with 4 wins by bonus points. He placed 3rd at the Big 12 tournament and qualified for the NCAA tournament. Unfortunately he suffered an injury in the first round of the tournament and had to medical default. Ramazan is another Cyclone wrestler with a serious chance of landing on the podium in March!
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Freshamn Casey Swiderski will enter the line up a true blue chip recruit from Michigan. Casey had an unbelievable high school career going 166-3, and winning 3 state titles.
Also competing for the starting spot is Zach Redding. Zach, is another talented junior on the Cyclone roster. He was a 2021 NCAA qualifier, after finishing 3rd in a loaded Big 12 tournament featuring 11 ranked wrestlers. Last season he wrestled in a back-up roll, and went 6-2 while winning a title at the Warren Williamson Daktronics Open.
I could see either of these wrestlers qualifying for the national tournament and maybe even landing on the podium.
149
Junior Andrew Flora is the front runner at 149, he has a 14-17 overall record in his college career. I expect someone from 141 or maybe even 157 to change weight classes and challenge him for the starting spot.
Freshman Paniro Johnson is another option as well. This weight class seems to be a bit thin, but they may change as the season progresses.
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Isaac Judge and Davis Carr have decided to switch weight classes this year, and I expect this move to benefit both of them greatly! Isaac has always been a solid competitor, and he has spent his college career wrestling at 165, with mixed results. Back at his natural weight class I expect much better results for him. He brings a wealth of experience into his senior season with an overall 55-43 record. Last season he finished 6th at the Big 12 tournament. This year at a more suitable weight class I expect a strong showing from him, and he should be able to qualify for the NCAA tournament in March.
165
David Carr is back for his senior year, and is up a weight class to 165 pounds. I feel this weight class is better suited for his body, and should help his energy levels not having to cut down to 157. David is already a 3x all-american, an NCAA champion, and a Junior World Champion. He will be looking to add to this impressive resume in his senior season. 165 is a loaded weight class and the addition of Carr makes it even more interesting. I have no doubt he will once again reach the podium in March, but will he be able to reclaim the top spot? Only time will tell. David has an incredible 88-3 college record.
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Senior Joel Devine is back and looking to improve on an impressive 2022 season that saw him finish 7th an the Big 12 tournament and qualify for the NCAA tournament. With an overall college record of 52-32, Joel is a battle tested leader and is another solid weight class for the Cyclones. I look for Joel to have another outstanding year and again qualify for the NCAA tournament.
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Senior Marcus Coleman is one of the three returning all-americans on this loaded Iowa State team. Already a 4x NCAA qualifier, Marcus will be looking to make history this season by becoming a rare 5x NCAA qualifier and barring injury he should also pick up his 100th college victory. His record currently stands at an impressive 95-40. Last season he scored 11 wins over ranked opponents, and laid a 13-2 beating on 6th ranked Trey Munoz of Oregon State at the NCAA Championships. I look for an impressive senior year for Marcus and I expect him to return to the podium one last time.
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Yonger Bastida
Youger brings a 29-11 career record into his Junior year He is also a returning NCAA qualifier and all-american finishing 5th at the national tournament. The thing about Youger is that he is still adjusting to folkstyle wrestling, as he continues to make the necessary adjustments to transition from freestyle the sky is the limit. He already has a win over NCAA runner-up Jacob Warner. This guy is a real dark horse contender for a NCAA title in March. At the very least, I expect another top 5 finish.
Heavyweight
Senior Sam Schuyler is another returning NCAA qualifier, and looks to improve on his 17-8 record from last season. Sam is also a very talented freestyle wrestler, in 2019 he won the UWW Junior Nationals Freestyle Championships. The heavyweight division is again very deep with talent but I expect Sam to have a solid season and again qualify for the NCAA tournament.
This years Iowa State wrestling team, much like last season, is loaded from top to bottom. with the only real weak spot being at 149. I see the team finishing with 5 All-Americans and 9 NCAA qualifiers! Will that be enough to bring home a team trophy? Only time will tell. But I can say for sure this team is rock solid.