The No. 2 Iowa Hawkeyes showcased their wrestling prowess against the No. 12 Iowa State Cyclones, winning decisively 21-15 in the highly anticipated 2024 Cy-Hawk dual. The match was characterized by stellar performances from a mix of established veterans, skilled transfers, and promising newcomers, underscoring Iowa's depth and talent.

One of the biggest surprises of the night was Patrick Kennedy, who, despite being projected as a backup for the season at 174 pounds, delivered an astounding 19-4 technical fall victory over former teammate Aiden Riggins. Riggins, not currently ranked, could not keep pace with Kennedy’s offensive onslaught, which was a significant boost for the Hawkeyes, shifting the momentum back in Iowa's favor after a series of tightly contested matches.

Veteran and All-American Stephen Buchanan also contributed a critical victory, besting No. 20 Christian Carroll 10-0 at 197 pounds, which effectively clinched the dual for Iowa as the team surged ahead. The excitement continued as Iowa State's No. 4 Yonger Bastida managed to secure a 7-2 victory over Iowa’s No. 13 Ben Kueter in the heavyweight division, exhibiting the dynamic skills and athleticism that could make both wrestlers serious contenders as they head into the NCAA championships in March.

Iowa's roster was bolstered by NCAA finalist Drake Ayala, who overcame No. 5 Evan Frost 11-7 at 133 pounds, while All-American Kyle Parco edged No. 7 Anthony Echemendia in another tightly contested match, finishing 4-3. However, the night wasn’t without setbacks for the Hawkeyes; a significant blow was felt when NCAA finalist Jacori Teemer had to injury default against No. 10 Paniro Johnson, which swung the team score momentarily in favor of the Cyclones, 12-6, halfway through the dual.

In an exciting display, freshman Angelo Ferrari stepped into the spotlight at 184 pounds, taking the place of anticipated starter Gabe Arnold. Ferrari dazzled the crowd with an 8-2 decision victory over No. 15 Evan Bockman, demonstrating an intensity and action-oriented style that aligns well with Iowa's competitive spirit—positioning himself as a future fan-favorite.

Additionally, Iowa suffered losses at 125, 141, 157, and 285 pounds—all crucial weight classes—but managed to limit the damage, with no match ending in bonus points, aside from the injury default.

This victory marks Iowa’s 20th consecutive win over Iowa State in the historical rivalry, confirming their dominance in the series while once again underlining the fierce competitiveness and electric atmosphere that accompanies these duels.

Match Results:

- 125: Adrian Meza over No. 27 Kale Petersen, 5-1 (ISU leads 3-0) - 133: No. 9 Drake Ayala over No. 5 Evan Frost, 11-7 (Tied 3-3) - 141: Zach Redding over No. 31 Ryder Block, 5-4 (ISU leads 6-3) - 149: No. 4 Kyle Parco over Anthony Echemendia, 4-3 (Tied 6-6) - 157: No. 10 Paniro Johnson over No. 1 Jacori Teemer, INJURY DEFAULT (ISU leads 12-6) - 165: No. 2 Mikey Caliendo over Connor Euton, 12-7 (ISU leads 12-9) - 174: Patrick Kennedy over Aiden Riggins, 19-4 (IOWA leads 14-12) - 184: Angelo Ferrari over No. 15 Evan Bockman, 8-2 (IOWA leads 17-12) - 197: No. 2 Stephen Buchanan over No. 20 Christian Carroll, 10-0 (IOWA leads 21-12) - 285: No. 4 Yonger Bastida over No. 13 Ben Kueter, 7-2 (Final Score: IOWA 21, ISU 15)

With this year's Cy-Hawk dual living up to its storied history, Iowa's combination of seasoned veterans and emerging talent shows promise for an exciting college wrestling season ahead. Fans can look forward to seeing if Iowa can maintain this momentum and challenge for national titles as the postseason approaches!