Iowa City Today

The University of Iowa men's wrestling team, ranked third nationally, will begin its 2025-26 season with a home dual against Bellarmine on Thursday, November 6 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City. The match is scheduled for 6 p.m. Central Time and will be streamed live on B1G+. Radio coverage will be available through AM 800 KXIC, the Hawkeye Radio Network, and online at hawkeyesports.com via YouTube.

This meeting marks only the second time the two programs have faced each other; Iowa won the previous contest last season with a decisive 39-0 victory in Louisville. The upcoming event will also see six Hawkeyes—Leo DeLuca, Dean Peterson, Nasir Bailey, Kael Voinovich, Jordan Williams, and Massoma Endene—potentially making their Carver-Hawkeye Arena debuts.

Iowa's probable lineup features several highly ranked wrestlers including Drake Ayala (133 lbs), Michael Caliendo (165 lbs), Patrick Kennedy (174 lbs), Angelo Ferrari (184 lbs), and Ben Kueter (285 lbs). Five past All-Americans are part of this year's roster: Ayala, Bailey, Caliendo, Kennedy, and Kueter. "The Hawkeyes have crowned at least one All-American in 54 consecutive tournaments," according to program information.

Bellarmine’s head coach Ned Shuck is an alumnus of Iowa Wrestling from 2000-2005. He competed in open tournaments during his time as a student-athlete and was recognized for both athletic and academic achievements.

Last season’s matchup saw dominant performances by multiple returning Hawkeyes. For example, Drake Ayala has defeated Trayce Eckman twice previously; Kael Voinovich holds a win over Nate Higley; Ben Kueter pinned Daulton Mayer in just 32 seconds.

The Hawkeyes’ schedule this year includes nine dual opponents ranked in the NWCA Preseason Coaches’ Poll top 25—six of which are in the top ten—including Penn State (#1), Nebraska (#2), Ohio State (#4), Oklahoma State (#5), Iowa State (#6), Minnesota (#9), Michigan (#11), Missouri (#18) and Pittsburgh (#21). Their season consists of one regular-season tournament, fourteen duals including six at home dates at Carver-Hawkeye Arena, as well as postseason appearances at the Big Ten Championships and NCAA Championships.

In preparation for this season opener against Bellarmine, head coach Tom Brands continues his tenure that has seen consistent high performance from his teams. Under Brands' leadership since 2006-07, Iowa has compiled a strong record at Carver-Hawkeye Arena with only fourteen losses compared to 138 wins.

Reflecting on last year’s results: "The University of Iowa wrestling team finished the 2024-25 season with a 14-1 overall record and a 7-1 Big Ten mark. The Hawkeyes placed third at the Big Ten Championships and fourth at the NCAA Championships. Iowa had five All-Americans. The program had 10 Academic All-Big Ten selections."

Among notable achievements from returning athletes is Michael Caliendo’s U23 National Title win at 74 KG earlier this year. "Caliendo won the 74 kg division winning eight of his nine matches to make the world team," states recent program updates.

Facility improvements were completed earlier this year as well; construction concluded on the $31 million Goschke Family Wrestling Training Center—a new home base for both men’s and women’s wrestling programs featuring expanded practice space and modern amenities connected directly to Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

Attendance remains strong for Iowa wrestling events: last season averaged more than thirteen thousand fans per home date—a streak leading all collegiate programs for eighteen straight years since NBC Sports dubbed Iowa City “Wrestletown USA” during its hosting of Olympic Team Trials in 2016.

Looking ahead after Bellarmine, Iowa travels to Tulsa for the National Duals Invitational where they will face Missouri on November 15 with competition beginning at 9 a.m. Central Time.