Iowa State secured a 31-11 victory over Utah Valley in Orem, Utah, advancing to 2-0 under new head coach Brent Metcalf.
Dru Ayala and Brayden Thompson Join the Team
- Transfer additions like Dru Ayala and Brayden Thompson feature on the team.
Metcalf Era Opens With Utah Valley Victory
Iowa State claimed seven of ten bouts to secure the 31-11 triumph, according to The Gazette. The result marked Brent Metcalf’s first Big 12 Conference dual victory as head coach. Metcalf took over the program after Kevin Dresser transitioned to the role of Director of Men’s and Women’s Wrestling in April.
Rin Sakamoto, Evan Frost, Jacob Frost, Connor Euton, and heavyweight Coby Merrill each contributed technical fall victories. Paniro Johnson and Brady Thompson added decisions to seal the outcome. The Cyclones previously opened their schedule at home with a win over Bucknell, defeating Bucknell 29-12 before 4,080 fans at Hilton Coliseum.
Transfers Deliver Bonus Points in Orem
Sakamoto and Thompson made immediate impacts after transferring, per reports. Sakamoto defeated Geronimo Rivera 19-1, tallying three takedowns and multiple nearfall points. His previous collegiate match came as a Cowboy in February 2025 against Drake Ayala, who now serves as an assistant on the Cyclones staff.
The Cyclones travel next to Bradenton, Florida, for the Sunshine Duals to face Penn and North Dakota State.
Hawkeyes Compete on U.S.S. Yorktown
The Iowa women’s wrestling team finished 2-1 at the Throwdown at the Yorktown III dual event on the deck of the U.S.S. Yorktown in Mount Pleasant, S.C., per The Gazette. The Hawkeyes defeated Delaware State 32-10 and Presbyterian 38-6 before falling 22-20 to Grand Valley State on Sunday. Seventh-ranked Grand Valley State handed the Hawkeyes just their second dual loss in the program’s four-year history.
In international competition, Hawkeye Wrestling Club members Austin DeSanto and Patrick Kennedy claimed freestyle gold medals at the Bill Farrell Memorial International Open in New York. DeSanto earned an 11-0 technical superiority decision over Russia’s Usman Indirbaev at 61 kilograms. Kennedy defeated Carson Kharchla 5-5 on criteria in the 79-kilogram final.
Earlier Cyclones Action Against Bucknell
The home opener against Bucknell on November 1, 2026, saw the Cyclones win seven of the 10 matches and dominate the takedown count 22-3. Evan Frost defeated Bryce Manera 19-3 at 141 pounds with five takedowns, and Jacob Frost defeated Cade Wirnsberger 21-3 in 3:35 for his 23rd career technical fall. Paniro Johnson overwhelmed Ryan Lawler 16-5 with five takedowns at 157 pounds.
Bucknell scored at 165 pounds when Noah Mulvaney pinned Connor Euton in 6:12 after trailing 10-3. Tate Naaktgeboren collected an injury-default victory over Myles Takats at 174 pounds with a 4-1 lead at 6:42. Brayden Thompson lost 4-1 in sudden victory to Dillon Bechtold at 197 pounds. Coby Merrill capped the dual at heavyweight by scoring a takedown eight seconds into the match and defeating Lucas Lawler 6-2.
| Wrestler | Weight Class | Result / Opponent | Event |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rin Sakamoto | Lower Weights | 19-1 tech fall vs. Geronimo Rivera | Utah Valley Dual |
| Brady Thompson | 197 lbs | 9-3 decision vs. Kael Bennie | Utah Valley Dual |
| Austin DeSanto | 61 kg | 11-0 tech fall vs. Usman Indirbaev | Bill Farrell Open |
| Patrick Kennedy | 79 kg | 5-5 decision vs. Carson Kharchla | Bill Farrell Open |
Iowa State returns to action at Utah Valley.
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