The ups and downs of the 2024-25 Iowa men’s wrestling program culminate in an electric finale with serious postseason implications as second-ranked Oklahoma State comes to town.

The Hawkeyes, 13-1, remain third in the country with 372 points. They’re still behind No. 2 Oklahoma State at 13-0 with 379 points and No. 1 Penn State at 14-0 with 400 points. But with a 37-3 shellacking of Northwestern on Sunday inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena, there’s a burst of confidence in the wrestling room moving into the final month of the season.

The only loss of the day was the first match as the Wildcats’ No. 9 Trevor Chumbley beat Miguel Estrada at 157 pounds by a slim 4-1 overtime decision. But the Hawkeyes’ best showed just how stratified the collegiate wrestling world is.

Iowa’s No. 2 165-pounder Michael Caliendo picked up a 19-4 technical fall over No. 18 Maxx Mayfield, and top-ranked 197-pounder Stephen Buchanan remained undefeated with an 18-2 technical fall over No. 14 Evan Bates.

Nelson Brands, nephew of Iowa head coach Tom Brands, made his return to the mat at 174 pounds after a knee injury two months ago, slapping Aiden Vandenbush around into a 21-5 technical fall. 

“Especially in Carver-Hawkeye [Arena], you’ve got so much adrenaline going, so you don’t notice it, right?” Nelson said after the meet. “So that’s the best part about competing is once you step on the mat and that whistle blows, pretty much everything goes out the window.”

Iowa’s No. 11 285-pounder Ben Kueter beat Dirk Morley by 20-4 technical fall. And the Hawkeyes’ No. 3 149-pounder Kyle Parco got a 9-2 ranked win over No. 25 Sam Cartella too.

“The biggest thing is I get better every time I step on the mat,” Kueter said after the meet. “That’s just how I’m wired as a person and everything I do in life.”

One more time

This season — through its highs, lows, narrow wins, and shaky losses — culminates in one of the most highly anticipated wrestling dual meets in college wrestling. The second-ranked Oklahoma State Cowboys come to town at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday in the final meet of the year.

A combined 58 NCAA Championships between the two, Iowa has won eight of the last 10 meets and won the last five meetings in Iowa City. This time around will be no walk in the park, though, as every bout is set to be a ranked matchup.

“Every week is the same, so you’re training the same for Northwestern … you’re training the same for Oklahoma State,” Nelson said. “But the cool thing about an Okie State and Iowa dual is that it’s just electric. And especially on a Sunday night, I think it’ll be really fun here.”

This time, it’ll be a serious test for the back end of the lineup as Caliendo will start with No. 6 Cameron Amine at 165 pounds before Brands or No. 7 Patrick Kennedy will take All-American Wisconsin transfer No. 3 Dean Hamiti at 174.

“I think our role for every single guy on the team is be ready,” Nelson said. “Tom always stresses to be ready. So whether you get the chance to go today or you don’t get the chance to go at all, it doesn’t matter because you’re still trying to be the best person you can be on the mat and outside of the mat. And I think that’s the best part about this.”

Iowa’s No. 7 184-pounder Gabe Arnold, to fans’ surprise not replaced by freshman superstar Angelo Ferrari, will match up against No. 3 Dustin Plott. Plott’s dominance in a loaded weight class makes an upset a lofty goal for Arnold’s struggle to score points and loss at Minnesota last Friday.

But while Buchanan seeks to stay undefeated in another ranked contest this time in No. 5 Luke Surber at 197 pounds, Kueter will have a top pound-for-pound bout in No. 3 Wyatt Hendrickson at heavyweight.

“I’m looking forward to it,” Buchanan said at media availability on Feb. 18. “I’m glad it’s in Carver. It’ll be an exciting atmosphere.”

While Tom and Terry Brands certainly need some upsets back there to win this one, a lot suddenly rests on the lighter weights to carry this dual home safely.

Iowa’s No. 14 125-pounder Joey Cruz is climbing rankings for the Hawkeyes but now sees No. 4 Troy Spratley in what has potential to be a sleeper match, Cruz’s quick hits and athleticism a strong upset threat.

But No. 1 133-pounder Drake Ayala will be back as the starter for No. 17 Reece Witcraft, and the Hawkeyes will need match points from him in the shape of at least a major decision or technical fall. The same goes for No. 2 157-pounder Jacori Teemer, back in the lineup too and in better shape for No. 13 Caleb Fish.

“I think there’s just a lot on the line,” Ayala said. “It should be a good dual. I think it’s probably going to be a zoo in there. We’ve got to put our blinders on, and we’ve got to go out and have some fun. Do our job.” 

And while Iowa’s unranked Cullan Schriever will need some magic for No. 6 Tagen Jamison, Parco needs match points over No. 14 Carter Young too for a comfortable cushion as the back-end of the lineup comes up.

The Cowboys are well-rounded and, arguably, a good contender for the national title this year. Mix in the postseason seeding implications, and a phenomenal show of rivalry wrestling is guaranteed for a packed Carver-Hawkeye Arena this Sunday.