In a highly anticipated wrestling duel, the No. 1 ranked Penn State Nittany Lions will bring their impressive 78-match winning streak to Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Friday night to take on the No. 4 Iowa Hawkeyes at 7 PM ET. This clash has significant implications as Penn State looks to continue their dominance against a longtime rival.
The Nittany Lions, led by four top-ranked wrestlers and eight within the top five, are aiming to extend their current dual match winning streak, which began after a loss to Iowa back in 2020—the last team to defeat them in this format. Since that meeting, Penn State has achieved four straight victories over the Hawkeyes. In contrast, Iowa has faced challenges this season, with two losses already, including a surprising defeat against No. 3 Iowa State, marking their first loss to the Cyclones in over two decades.
As the teams prepare for their 45th meeting, a breakdown of the anticipated bouts highlights the excitement:
At 125 pounds, No. 2 Luke Lilledahl remains undefeated and will face No. 6 Dean Peterson, who has previously bested Lilledahl 4-1 in their last matchup. This opening match could significantly influence the direction of the dual.
The 133-pound clash features No. 4 Marcus Blaze, holding an undefeated record, against No. 8 Drake Ayala, who finds himself struggling with a 4-4 record this season. Blaze, a U20 World champion, is looking to seize his opportunity to assert dominance in Iowa.
Moving to 141 pounds, new Penn State addition Braeden Davis looks to make a strong impression against Iowa’s potentially two options, Nasir Bailey and Kale Petersen. Davis has started strong with a 5-0 record, setting up an intriguing matchup.
In the 149-pound match, No. 1 Shayne Van Ness aims to maintain his perfect record against No. 17 Ryder Block, who enters the dual looking to rebound after a recent loss. Van Ness’s capability to score big points will be critical for the Nittany Lions.
At 157 pounds, freshman standout PJ Duke, also undefeated, is set to face either Iowa’s Jordan Williams or Victor Voinovich III, both of whom present solid challenges. This match could be a tipping point for the Nittany Lions.
The 165-pound showdown features a rematch between No. 1 Mitchell Mesenbrink and No. 3 Michael Caliendo, with Mesenbrink looking for another victory to cement his status.
No. 1 Levi Haines will confront one of Iowa’s options at 174 pounds, likely Patrick Kennedy, looking to maintain an undefeated record against a familiar competitor.
At 184 pounds, the matchup will be between No. 4 Rocco Welsh and No. 1 Angelo Ferrari, a key battle that could set the tone for future conference and national tournaments.
Heavyweight will see Iowa’s Ben Kueter against Penn State’s No. 13 Cole Mirasola, as Kueter looks to deliver a standout performance after his recent win over a ranked opponent.
This dual promises to be an electrifying event for wrestling fans, showcasing top-tier talent and the storied rivalry between Penn State and Iowa. The stakes are high, and the outcome is sure to impact both teams’ trajectories as they progress through the season. The excitement builds as each wrestler prepares to leave it all on the mat, adding to the rich tradition of college wrestling.