Iowa set for major early season test at National Duals Invitational

[HawkeyeHypnosis]

Iowa set for major early season test at National Duals Invitational

In just its second competition of the 2025-26 season, Iowa men's wrestling heads to Tulsa (OK) to test itself against the nation's best.

www.on3.com

From article:

This weekend, Iowa will compete as part of 16-team bracket to not only determine a champion, but to divvy up a total purse of more than $1 million dollars.

To do so, it’ll have to navigate a field featuring 15/16 teams ranked in the top 25 of the latest NCAA Division I Men’s Coaches Poll – including 10 of the top 12.

(The only exceptions being #1 Penn State – who declined to participate – and #6 Iowa state – who failed to qualify.)

 

[Fryowa]

Iowa wrestling is no more, folks.

It’s doneski. I said this was going to happen multiple times.

 

[Gibsonian]

Iowa had 3 takedowns the entire meet folks. 3

 

[Fryowa]

Iowa had 3 takedowns the entire meet folks. 3

And a forfeit at HWT.

Also, if your best HWT is Ben Keuter and you're supposed to be a top-tier, marquee wrestling program...you got problemos.

 

[Gibsonian]

What is wrong with Keuter anyway? He didn't wrestle one match did he?

 

[FanOHawk]

What is wrong with Keuter anyway? He didn't wrestle one match did he?

Someone said holis that's

And a forfeit at HWT.

Also, if your best HWT is Ben Keuter and you're supposed to be a top-tier, marquee wrestling program...you got problemos.

Very sad, great at standing around, no shooting till 3 period.

 

[Fryowa]

What is wrong with Keuter anyway? He didn't wrestle one match did he?

Nope.

 

[Grady]

Yeah, the finals matchup with Ohio St was sobering, for sure.
Altho I'm reminded of the old adage 'It's probably not as bad or as good as it seemed.' Iowa DID win 4 of the 9 contested matches, and at the end of a tough weekend of wrestling they still walk away with 4 guys ranked in the Top 3 in their weight class. That ain't chopped liver.
True, finishing 3rd or 4th at the NCAAs is this team's ceiling; but the ceiling isn't crashing down either. It's not like Penn State's football team this year, which started the season with expectations of a national title...nobody expects this Iowa squad to finish above 2nd or below 6th, and barring injury, that's where they'll end up.

 

[Gibsonian]

Ohio State is wrestling like Iowa used to, that's my heartburn.

I do appreciate the pep talk Grady though thanks. Time to come in from the ledge..............