Iowa men’s wrestling has announced that Massoma Endene is no longer part of the team, according to head coach Tom Brands. This news was revealed during the Hawkeyes’ weekly media availability on Tuesday.
Endene joined Iowa this season after a successful stint at Wartburg College, where he secured three Division III national titles. He also excelled as a two-time NJCAA All-American while competing at Iowa Lakes Community College. This season, Endene had a strong record of 6-1, defeating three ranked opponents at the 197-pound weight class, and boasting an impressive overall career record of 81-2.
Recently, Endene welcomed his first child, which led him to miss a dual match against Wisconsin on January 9. With his departure from the roster occurring just ahead of Iowa’s much-anticipated dual meet against No. 1 Penn State on January 16, the team will look to redshirt freshman Brody Sampson or freshman Harvey Ludington to step in at 197 pounds.
While Brands did not delve into the specifics surrounding Endene’s exit, he expressed his well wishes for the wrestler’s future endeavors. “Sometimes things work, and sometimes they don’t work, and this one just didn’t work out. We wish him the best,” Brands shared with Eli McKown of The Des Moines Register. Endene’s departure marks a significant change for the Hawkeyes as they prepare for their upcoming challenges in the wrestling season.