NFL
By: Zachary Draves
One of the most storied collegiate athletic programs in history kicked off its season before a vibrant and enthusiastic crowd of over 14,000 at Carver Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City. The #2 Iowa Hawkeyes came in ready to take on California Baptist University and unsurprisingly they were victorious by an insurmountable margin at 42-3.
The widely talented Hawkeyes wasted know time and demonstrated why they are simply the best winning their first four duals. Junior Cobe Stiebrecht kicked things off by winning easily 11-1 in the 157 weight class. He capped it off by pinning CBU’s Joey Mora with exactly one second left in the second period
(Courtesy: Geoff Stellfox/The Gazette)
In the 165 weight class period, #14 ranked senior Patrick Kennedy had a bit of a more competitive battle in terms of points but eventually he was in complete command and won 20-5 over Mateo De La Pena to give the Hawkeyes an 11-0 lead in team points.
Freshman Drake Rhodes made his debut in the 157 weight class. He came out with ferocious intensity and immediately got a two point take down just 51 seconds into the period. CBU’s Zachary Rowe almost had him pinned but Rhodes made a quick maneuver to get another two point takedown approaching thirty seconds to the end of the first period to be up 4-1. As the second period was winding down, Rhodes was still the best wrestler but wasn’t able to generate the points in rapid succession. Nevertheless, he led 7-2.
In the third period, Rhodes didn’t relent and went on to win handley by pinning Rowe down before coming away with an epic two point takedown right before the end to come up victorious 13-4 and put the Hawkeyes up 15-0 in team points.
(Courtesy: Geoff Stellfox/The Gazette)
In the 184 pound division, #10 ranked Abe Assad came out big over Peter Acciardi 11-4 before the Hawkeyes really hit their mark.
In the 197 pound division, one of the best wrestlers in the nation #2 Jacob Warner got a two pointer right from the get go and immediately dispatched Elijah Sobas in an epic takedown to put the Hawkeyes up 24-0 going into the locker room.
At 285 pounds #4 Tony Cassioppi with all his muscle and prowess utilized those traits to his advantage with another takedown over Christopher Irelandto put the Hawkeyes up 30-0
In the 125 pound division, Aidan Harris was the only Hawkeye to trail in the entire match as he lost the first period to Elijah Griffin. In the second period, he was held captive by Griffin’s aggressiveness and was largely unable to break free. Under 20 seconds, that dynamic was very much in play and Griffin led 4-1. In the third period, Griffin continued his onslaught and even though Harris was able to escape with a point, Griffin held it down and came away with a 8-4 victory and giving California Baptist their first three points of the match.
In the 133 weight division, junior Brody Teske, a Northern Iowa/Penn State transfer in his Hawkeye debut and living out a lifelong dream, had some similar struggles against Hunter Leake . He had some moments of trying to be in control but his duel came down to the wire and he held on for a 6-4 win and 33-3 Hawkeye lead.
(Courtesy: Geoff Stellfox/The Gazette)
Senior and Northern Iowa transfer Drew Bennett joined Teske and Rhodes in notching his first victory as a Hawkeye came with a 16-5 victory in the 141 weight division. Finally, there was the 149 pound division with Max Murin. His 24-9 victory helped the Hawkeyes come away with a resounding season opening victory.
The final box score is as follows:
157 – Cobe Siebrecht (UI) pinned Joey Mora (CBU), 4:59
165 – #14 Patrick Kennedy (UI) tech. fall Mateo De La Pena (CBU), 20-5
174 – Drake Rhodes (UI) major dec. Zach Rowe (CBU), 13-4
184 – #10 Abe Assad (UI) dec. Peter Acciardi (CBU), 11-4
197 – #2 Jacob Warner (UI) pinned Elijah Sobas (CBU) 0:38
285 – #4 Tony Cassioppi (UI) pinned Christopher Ireland (CBU), 2:13
125 – Elijah Griffin (CBU) dec. Aidan Harris (UI), 9-4
133 – Brody Teske (UI) dec. Hunter Leake (CBU), 6-4
141 – Drew Bennett (UI) major dec. Edison Alanis (CBU), 16-5
149 – #7 Max Murin (UI) tech fall Chaz Hallmark (CBU), 24-9
Afterwards, Teske spoke towards his debut and about what it truly means to be living the dream.
“It’s a dream and I know it’s achievable just by doing it” he said. “There’s so much more upside and I can’t wait to bring my best out. That’s what I go to work for everyday.
For head coach Tom Brands used some basketball metaphor to emphasize what he expects out of his team going forward as they prepare to hit the road.Geoff Stellfox/The Gazette
“We want slam dunks,” he said. “We are going to Army on Thursday and then we will wrestle Sacred Heart in Buffalo. That’s what’s next and that’s where we are at. We are gonna bring more than ten guys for those ten weight classes and we will see where we are at and keep getting better.”
The Hawkeyes (1-0) will travel to take on Army on Thursday November 17 at 6:00pm CST and Sacred Heart on Friday November 18 at 5:30pm CST.
