The dual meet of the year is upon us, and this year’s CyHawk meeting is taking place on the world stage! Broadcast live on ESPN. This is quite the historical event and it features two outstanding teams with state bragging rights on the line. The dual meet features two top 10 ranked teams with 19 of the 20 starters ranked nationally. The 8th ranked Cyclones host 4th ranked Iowa at Hilton Coliseum in Ames, with the meet starting at 2 p.m.
History: The Hawkeyes have dominated the series winning 68 of 86 meetings between the two teams. The Iowa Hawkeyes have also won 18 straight.
The years meeting between the two rivals appears to be one of the closest meeting between the teams in years! The Hawkeyes are a perfect 2-0 on the season while the Cyclones are also undefeated at 3-0.
Keys To Victory: For the Hawkeyes: Iowa needs to win the close ones while not giving up bonus points. For Iowa State, the Cyclones need to score bonus points at 184 and heavyweight. If both teams win 5 matches, these bonus points could decide the meets outcome.
So without any further ado lets take a look at each match and I will do my best to give you a winner and team score.
125 No. 17 Drake Ayala vs. No. 8 Kysen Terukina
This match-up right here will decide the fate of the dual, so I expect both wrestlers to show up and bring their A games. While Drake is a perfect 4-0 against Iowa State, Terukina brings to the mat a 100% bonus rate on the season! I see this match being action packed from the get-go, with Ayala squeaking out a hard fought 7-5 decision. Putting the Hawkeyes on the board first 3-0.
133 No. 8 Brody Teske vs. No. 19 Evan Frost
This match is one that the Hawkeyes are heavily favored in, however Teske can’t take Frost lightly. Frost likes to shoot and has done a fantastic job so far this season with a perfect 3-0 record. Teske looked great last weekend against Oregon State and will need to do the same in Ames to secure the victory. I see Teske winning the one with a hard fought 7-3 decision, putting Iowa up 6-0.
141 No. 1 Real Woods vs. No. 19 Anthony Echemendia
This match is much much closer than it looks on paper. Echemendia and Woods are both fantastic on their feet and the exchanges while standing should be some of the most exciting of the night. The difference here is Woods ability to turn guys from the top position. If Woods gets in opportunity on top he could really rack up some points. I see Woods with a 12-5 decision, and the Hawks take an early 9-0 lead.
149 No. 9 Victor Voinovich vs. No. 14 Casey Swiderski
While the Iowa wrestler is the higher ranked of the two, I expect Swiderski to impose his will and take control of the match. I see a 14-5 decision for the Iowa State Wrestler, putting the Cyclones on the board for the first time. Iowa leads 9-4.
157 No. 2 Jared Franek vs. No. 18 Cody Chittum
Just like 141, this match is much closer than it looks on paper. Chittum is the real deal and a strong all-american contender. Franek is currently 7-0 with a 71% bonus rate and should be able to rely on his experience to beat the talented freshman. I predict Franek with a 5-2 victory, extending Iowa’s lead 12-4.
165 No. 5 Mikey Caliendo vs. No. 2 David Carr
This is the only Top 10 match-up of the night, and its an exciting one. Carr is a returning NCAA Champion and one of the most talented wrestlers in the country at any weight. Caliendo is an exciting offensive minded wrestler with a chip on his shoulder. Carr is heavily favored in this one, however Caliendo has defeated an NCAA Champion in the past and would love to do so here. I think Carr controls the match and wins a comfortable 14-7 decision. Iowa leads 12-7.
174 No. 17 Gabe Arnold vs. No. 21 MJ Gaitan
Both these wrestlers have a very bright future ahead of them, and both are undefeated on the year. I expect Arnold to use his incredible speed and strength to control the bout. I see Arnold with a comfortable 7-1 vistory, extending Iowa’s lead 15-7.
184 No. 30 Brennan Swafford vs. No. 6 Will Feldkamp
Iowa State is heavily favored in this match and will be looking for bonus points. While Swafford will do his best to keep the match close. I expect Swafford to have improved since his last outing, where he was teched by Oregon States Trey Munoz. Even with some improvement Feldkamp cruises to a 21-9 victory, making the score 15-11 with 3 matches to go.
197 No. 22 Zach Glazier vs. No. 24 Julien Broderson
Both these wrestlers are undefeated on the year, and both are looking to make a name for themselves. I see this match being an absolute dogfight. With Glazier picking up a hard fought victory and securing the dual. Iowa leads 18-11 heading into the final match.
285 Bradley Hill vs. No. 7 Yonger Bastida
With the meet out of reach Bastida racks up a bunch of takedowns before earning the technical fall. The final score of the dual is 18-16 in favor of the Hawkeyes.
Conclusion: Although I have the Hawkeyes winning on paper their is still a lot that could sway this match the other way. In all honesty this match has at least 5 toss ups, while the Cyclones are the only team I see with bonus potential. The only guaranteed winner in this match-up is us the fans! See you in Ames!