Penn State vs. Iowa Wrestling: Comprehensive Weight-by-Weight Preview

Penn State and Iowa will clash in a highly anticipated wrestling dual at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. This event is set for Friday at 7 PM ET and garners attention as Penn State aims to extend its 78-match winning streak. Ranked No. 1, Penn State is once again viewed as the team to beat, thanks to its lineup featuring four wrestlers ranked in the top five.

Penn State vs. Iowa: A Historical Context

The rivalry intensified after Iowa handed Penn State its last dual loss in 2020. Since then, Penn State has taken four consecutive victories against the Hawkeyes. Meanwhile, Iowa has struggled this season, suffering two losses against No. 2 Ohio State and No. 3 Iowa State, the latter marking the first defeat to Iowa State in over two decades.

Weight-by-Weight Breakdown

125 Pounds: Luke Lilledahl vs. Dean Peterson

• Luke Lilledahl (No. 2) holds an undefeated record, facing Dean Peterson (No. 6), who has a record of 7-1.
• The previous match-up favored Peterson, who won 4-1, but Lilledahl outperformed him at the NCAAs.

133 Pounds: Marcus Blaze vs. Drake Ayala

• Marcus Blaze (No. 4) enters the dual with an impressive 11-0 record.
• Drake Ayala (No. 8) has lost three of his last four matches and holds a record of 4-4.

141 Pounds: Braeden Davis vs. Nasir Bailey or Kale Petersen

• Braeden Davis has returned from injury and is 5-0 this season.
• He could face either Nasir Bailey (9-5) or Kale Petersen (8-1).

149 Pounds: Shayne Van Ness vs. Ryder Block

• Shayne Van Ness (No. 1) boasts an 11-0 record, defending his position after a successful season.
• Ryder Block (No. 17) will be looking to rebound from a recent loss.

157 Pounds: PJ Duke vs. Jordan Williams or Victor Voinovich III

• PJ Duke (No. 3) is undefeated with a 9-0 record.
• Jordan Williams (No. 12) enters with momentum, having won five consecutive matches.

165 Pounds: Mitchell Mesenbrink vs. Michael Caliendo

• Mitchell Mesenbrink (No. 1) is also undefeated at 11-0, with prior victories over Caliendo.
• This match-up promises to be a highlight due to their history in NCAA competitions.

174 Pounds: Levi Haines vs. Patrick Kennedy or Gabe Arnold

• Levi Haines (No. 1) will wrestle against either Patrick Kennedy (No. 3) or Gabe Arnold.
• Haines holds a prior victory over Kennedy from last season’s dual.

184 Pounds: Rocco Welsh vs. Angelo Ferrari

• Both competitors are undefeated, setting up a crucial bout at 184 pounds.
• This match could influence rankings significantly in national tournaments.

197 Pounds: Josh Barr vs. Harvey Ludington or Brody Sampson

• Josh Barr (No. 1) looks to maintain an undefeated record against inexperienced opponents.
• The depth of Iowa’s roster may represent a challenge for Barr.

285 Pounds: Cole Mirasola vs. Ben Kueter

• Ben Kueter (No. 5) is anticipated to lead the charge for Iowa against Cole Mirasola (No. 13).
• This match-up could be critical in determining the overall outcome of the dual.

The impending dual promises to deliver excitement and showcase top-level collegiate wrestling talent. Fans eagerly await what each match-up brings to both teams as they strive for victory.