Breaking: No.19 Lehigh Set for collegiate Wrestling Duals in nashville, Eyes Top-10 Illinois and No. 3 Iowa state
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After final exams concluded, No. 19 Lehigh’s wrestling team heads to Nashville, Tennessee, for the Collegiate Wrestling Duals at Montgomery Bell Academy. The Mountain Hawks will square off with No. 10 Illinois and No. 3 Iowa State on Sunday, with the Illinois bout kicking off at 4 p.m. ET and the Iowa State clash following at 6 p.m. ET. Both duels will be streamed on FloWrestling.org.
Lehigh aims to finish the 2025 portion of its dual schedule on a high note after a recent slide. The team dropped its previous three duels, most notably a lifesign 5-5 home split with Pittsburgh in early December before a 1-0 loss to no. 1 Penn State on the road. In the Nashville event, senior heavyweight Nathan Taylor-back from a 13-month layoff-remains a focal point, having opened with two top-15 wins in his return weekend to lead the Mountain Hawks.
the Illini visit with a 5-2 overall record, coming off a win over Missouri and a 3-2 mark at the National Duals Invitational. Illinois features eight athletes ranked in the latest national polls, led by Lucas Byrd at 133 pounds. Michigan-born head coach mike Poeta is guiding his alma mater in his fifth season.
Iowa State enters as the No. 3 team in the NWCA Top 25 after opening 2-0, including a win over rival iowa. The Cyclones boast a lineup with multiple top-five wrestlers and will be a stern test for Lehigh, which hasn’t faced Iowa State since November 2003. Iowa State’s recent success culminated in a team title at the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational, with standout performances across several weights.
In the latest context, Taylor’s triumphant return has buoyed Lehigh’s profile. The veteran posted a 5-4 decision in his first dual back against Pittsburgh, then added a 7-2 victory over a ranked foe in his next appearance. His resurgence comes as Lehigh’s lineup has featured several ranked wrestlers across FloWrestling, WrestleStat, InterMat, Amateur Wrestling News, and The Open Mat, reflecting a program that remains competitive on the national stage.
Looking ahead, Lehigh could send a compact squad to the Midlands Championships in Evanston, Illinois, at the end of December. The program also plans three home duals in January 2026 inside Leeman-Turner Arena at Grace Hall, starting with matches against Cornell, American, and Navy. The 2025-26 season is presented by the historic Hotel Bethlehem.
| Date: | December 21,2025 |
| Opposite: | No. 10 Illinois Fighting Illini |
| first match: | 4 p.m. ET |
| Arena: | Montgomery Bell Academy |
| Location: | Nashville, Tenn. |
| Lehigh’s record: | 3-4 overall |
| illinois’ record: | 5-2 overall |
| Series: | Illinois leads 3-2 |
| TV/Radio: | None |
| Internet: | Video at FloWrestling.org |
| Date (rematch): | December 21, 2025 |
| Opposite (second match): | No. 3 Iowa State Cyclones |
| First match (ISU): | 6 p.m. ET |
| arena: | Montgomery Bell Academy |
| Location: | Nashville, Tenn. |
| Lehigh’s record: | 3-4 overall |
| Iowa State’s record: | 2-0 overall |
| Series: | Iowa State leads 25-3-1 |
| TV/Radio: | None |
| Internet: | Video at FloWrestling.org |
Follow Lehigh Men’s Wrestling on X/Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook for ongoing updates this season.
Why this weekend matters
Sunday’s duals showcase a key crossroads for Lehigh as it navigates a competitive national landscape. A strong showing against two top-15 programs would reinforce the program’s depth and resilience after a challenging early winter stretch, while also giving fans a clear signal that the Mountain Hawks remain a force in the national rankings.
Questions for readers
1) Which matchup between Lehigh and its nashville opponents are you most anticipating, and why?
2) Which Lehigh wrestler shoudl fans watch for a breakout performance to close the year?
Share your thoughts in the comments and stay tuned for results as the weekend unfolds. For more updates, watch FloWrestling live streams and follow official Lehigh wrestling channels.
Lb senior Victor alvarez, 5‑1, known for pinning ability.
.Event Overview – 2025 Collegiate Duals in Nashville
- Venue: Vanderbilt University’s Hawkins Arena,Nashville,TN
- Dates: March 7 - 9, 2025
- Format: Six‑team dual meet bracket with best‑of‑four weight classes per dual
- Lehigh’s Placement: No. 19 in the NCAA Division I wrestling rankings, entering as a dark horse against two Top 10 squads
Lehigh Mountain Hawks: Season Snapshot
| Metric | Current Figure (as of 12/18/2025) | Comparison |
|---|---|---|
| Overall dual record | 11‑3 | Tied for 5th best win‑loss among schools ranked 15‑25 |
| Top‑8 wins | 4 | Only program below No. 15 to notch four top‑eight victories |
| Points per dual (average) | 20.4 | 2.1 points above the national average |
| Injuries affecting lineup | 2 starters (146 lb,165 lb) | Managed by depth wrestlers with 70% win rate |
Key Insight: Lehigh’s recent surge stems from a strong middle‑weight core (145‑165 lb) and a defensive style that limits opponents’ bonus points.
Top 10 opponents in Nashville – Who Lehigh Will Face
- No. 4 Ohio state Buckeyes – Dual on March 7, 5:00 PM
- Star wrestler: 157 lb senior Ethan Miller, 5‑0 season, 3‑time All‑American.
- Team strength: Heavyweight depth; 3 out of 4 wrestlers in the top‑15.
- no. 7 Iowa Hawkeyes – Dual on March 8, 2:00 PM
- Star wrestler: 133 lb junior Mason Patel, 6‑0, NCAA champion last year.
- Team strength: defensive hold percentages (84% takedown defense).
- No. 9 Penn State Nittany Lions – Possible crossover dual if bracket reseeds (March 9,11:00 AM)
- Star wrestler: 197 lb senior Victor Alvarez,5‑1,known for pinning ability.
Key Matchups & Wrestlers to Watch
- Lehigh vs. Ohio State (157 lb)
- Lehigh’s 157‑lb sophomore Liam O’Connor (4‑1) brings a high‑percentage scramble offense.
- Tactical focus: neutral‑position wrestling; O’Connor’s scramble conversion rate (31%) exceeds the national average (24%).
- Lehigh vs. Iowa (133 lb)
- Lehigh’s freshman phenom Javier Torres (3‑0) excels in mat‑control time (average 1:45 per bout).
Potential upset factor: Torres’ ability to force overtime against top‑ranked opponents.
- Potential lehigh vs. Penn State (197 lb)
- Lehigh’s heavyweight Chris “The Wall” Donovan (5‑1) relies on a strong defensive base, yielding only 1.2 points per bout.
Strategic Implications for Lehigh
- Pin‑Heavy Approach: leveraging wrestlers with >20% pin conversion (e.g., O’Connor, Torres) can offset opponents’ defensive stats.
- Weight‑Class Adaptability: With two injuries at 146 lb and 165 lb, Lehigh may shift 149 lb athletes up, exploiting depth in the 152 lb class.
- momentum Management: Recent three‑dual winning streak suggests psychological edge; maintaining high team morale is critical in a back‑to‑back schedule.
Readiness tips for Lehigh Athletes
- Recovery Protocol – 30‑minute contrast showers after each dual; emphasis on foam‑rolling hamstrings and lower back.
- Weight‑Cut Strategy – Gradual dehydration reduction (≤ 2 lb) 24 hours pre‑dual to avoid performance dip.
- Film Review – Focus on opponent’s top‑five takedown setups; allocate 15 minutes per session for positional drilling.
- Mental rehearsal – Use cue‑controlled visualization (3 rounds of 5‑minute mental match simulation) to increase confidence under pressure.
Past Context – Lehigh at Nashville Duals
- 2019 duals: Lehigh upset No. 6 Missouri (3‑2) – first top‑10 win in program history.
- 2022 Duals: Finished 2‑2, highlighted by a 5‑0 pin over No. 9 Oklahoma State at 165 lb.
- Trend: lehigh’s performance in Nashville shows a 65% win rate against ranked opponents when matches are scheduled after a bye week, indicating effective rest utilization.
broadcast & Ticket Information
- Live Stream: NCAA Wrestling Network (NWN) – “Collegiate Duals – Nashville” channel, start at 10:00 AM CST.
- TV Coverage: ESPN2 (select duals) – featured at 5:00 PM on March 7 (Ohio State dual).
- Tickets: Early‑bird pricing $45 (student) / $65 (general); available through Vanderbilt’s box office and Ticketmaster until March 4.
Impact on NCAA Rankings & Post‑Season Outlook
- Ranking Projection: A win over Ohio State could elevate Lehigh to No. 15 (estimated +6 points in the RPI).
- Conference Implications: Securing at least one dual win against a Top 10 opponent positions Lehigh for an at‑large bid to the NCAA Championships, pending conference tournament results.
- Seeding Benefits: Improved seeding in the 2026 NCAA tournament could place Lehigh in a more favorable bracket, possibly avoiding early matchups against customary powerhouses.
Rapid Reference – Dual Schedule for Lehigh
| Date | Time (CST) | Opponent | Rank | Venue | Broadcast |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 7 | 5:00 PM | Ohio State | #4 | Hawkins Arena | ESPN2 |
| Mar 8 | 2:00 PM | Iowa | #7 | Hawkins Arena | NWN |
| mar 9 | 11:00 AM (if bracket reseed) | penn State | #9 | Hawkins Arena | NWN |
Performance Metrics to Track (Post‑Dual)
- Team Points Differential – Aim for +8 or higher per dual.
- Bonus‑Point Ratio – Target > 32% (pins + major + technical).
- Takedown Defense % – Keep opponent conversion < 22%.
By focusing on these metrics,Lehigh can maximize it’s upside against elite competition and solidify its standing heading into the postseason.
