Hawkeyes Clinch Third Consecutive Team Title with 7 Soldier Salute Triumphs!

CORALVILLE, Iowa — The University of Iowa wrestling squad secured the 2024 Soldier Salute team championship with a total of 248 points, while seven grapplers claimed individual championships.

“We have many areas to improve,” stated head coach Tom Brands. “We are transitioning to a training period now, with our upcoming dual meet scheduled for January 12. We truly appreciate this competition; it’s in our own backyard/front yard, and we cherish it.”

Drake Ayala clinched the 133-pound title by achieving a technical fall against teammate Kale Petersen.

After the All-Iowa final, a duo of Hawkeyes captured their titles in top-10 matchups, with Kyle Parco overcoming No. 6 Lachlan McNeil of UNC, 8-5, while Michael Caliendo edged past ninth-ranked Andrew Sparks, 7-6.

“He’s a solid opponent, and I was looking forward to the entire tournament,” remarked Parco. “It was a satisfying victory, but I believe I need to wrestle a complete match. There are numerous aspects I need to enhance. I welcome the critiques; they motivate me to work harder. This gives me goals to focus on when I enter the room on Monday or Tuesday.”

Patrick Kennedy also triumphed over a ranked adversary on his way to claiming the title at 174 pounds, winning a 6-2 decision against Navy’s 18^th-ranked Danny Wask.

Angelo Ferrari received a medical forfeit against teammate and sixth-ranked Gabe Arnold at 184-pounds.

Stephen Buchanan (197) outperformed Missouri’s Aeoden Sinclair with a major decision, 15-4, and Ben Kueter (285) achieved a narrow 1-0 triumph against Minnesota’s Bennett Tabor.

In the consolation bracket, Jace Rhodes secured fourth at 141 pounds, while both Joey Cruz (125) and Cullan Schriever (141) placed sixth.

The Hawkeyes are set to resume action with the start of Big Ten competition against Wisconsin on Jan. 12.

 FINALS RESULTS

133 – #4 Drake Ayala (Iowa) tech. fall Kale Petersen (Iowa), 20-5

149 – #4 Kyle Parco (Iowa) dec. #6 Lachlan McNeil (UNC), 8-5

165 – #2 Michael Caliendo (Iowa) vs. #9 Andrew Sparks (Minnesota), 7-6

174 – Patrick Kennedy (Iowa) dec. #18 Danny Wask (Navy), 6-2

184 – Angelo Ferrari (Iowa) MFF #6 Gabe Arnold (Iowa)

197 – #2 Stephen Buchanan (Iowa) major dec. Aeoden Sinclair (Missouri), 15-4

285 – #12 Ben Kueter (Iowa) dec. Bennett Tabor (Minnesota), 1-0

THIRD PLACE RESULTS

141 – Tyson Peach (SDSU) dec. Jace Rhodes (Iowa), 9-3

FIFTH PLACE RESULTS

125 – Adrian Meza (Iowa State) dec. Joey Cruz (Iowa), 4-1 SV1

141 – Julian Tagg (SDSU) dec. Cullan Schriever (Iowa), 7-6