Wrestlers and coaches returned to the mats of Xtream Arena for the final day of competition of the Soldier Salute Men’s College Wrestling Tournament on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2025. Sponsored by the Iowa City Area Sports Commission, the two-day tournament honors current, past, and future service members.
The tournament hosted the University of Iowa, Army Prep, Bellarmine, Iowa State, Missouri, North Carolina, Navy, Oklahoma State, South Dakota State, Minnesota, University of Northern Iowa, Wyoming and Virginia Military Institute.
The University of Iowa had six wrestlers wrestle in the finals (1st-5th).
Gabe Arnold faced No.8 Danny Wask of Navy in the 174 pound Championship match. With a 1-1 score for the majority of the matchup, the first place title was granted to Wask after a last second take down in the third period, sealing the score 4-1.
Jordan Williams battled Missouri’s Teague Travis in the 157 pound Championship match. Williams sealed a 7-3 victory to take home the first place title for the Hawkeyes.
Kael Voinovich fell to fourth place finish at 149 pounds after an 11-7 decision to which No. 30 Gabe Willochell of Wyoming placed third.
Kale Petersen placed third at 141 pounds after a 4-2 decision over Navy’s Caedyn Ricciardi in the third place match.
Victor Voinovich III secured a fifth place finish at 157 pounds over Jared Hill by medical forfeit.
Harvey Ludington, facing North Carolina opponent Mickey Calcagno and secured a fifth place victory at 197 for the Hawkeyes.
Outside of the top-five place bouts, four Iowa wrestlers placed in the top-8, including
7th Place: Keyan Hernandez
8th Place: Joey Cruz
6th Place: Nasir Bailey
8th Place: Tyrel Miller
The remaining Iowa wrestlers, including Jace Rhodes, Joey Kennedy, Sebastian Robles, CJ Torres, Lister Bowling IV, Paolo Ciatto and Brody Sampson did not place.
Following the Soldier Salute, the Hawkeyes are set to battle against the No. 19 Wisconsin Badgers at Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Friday, Jan 9, 2025 at 7:00 PM CST.
North Carolina’s assistant coach holds headgear and acquirement during the Soldier Salute Men’s College Wrestling Tournament at X-treme Arena in Coralville, Iowa on Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. The tournament houses the teams of Army Prep, Bellarmine, Iowa State, Missouri, North Carolina, Navy, Oklahoma State, South Dakota State, Minnesota, UNI, Wyoming, and Virginia Military Institute. The two-day tournament is hosted by Iowa City Area Sports Commission with the honoring of service members past, present, and future. (Reece Schrader)Iowa 125 pounder, Joey Cruz pulls in fellow Iowa opponent Keyan Hernandez’s leg during the Constellation Semi Final of the Soldier Salute Men’s College Wrestling Tournament at Xtream Arena in Coralville, Iowa on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2025. Hernandez won by decision over Cruz, 8-5 for seventh place. The two-day tournament is hosted by Iowa City Area Sports Commission and honors the service of past, present and future military members. The tournament hosted the University of Iowa, Army Prep, Bellarmine, Iowa State, Missouri, North Carolina, Navy, Oklahoma State, South Dakota State, Minnesota, University of Northern Iowa, Wyoming and Virginia Military Institute. (Reece Schrader)Iowa 149 pounder, Kael Voinovich raises his hand in victory after defeating VMI opponent, Patrick Jordan, in the Cons. Semi Final of the Soldier Salute Men’s College Wrestling Tournament at Xtream Arena in Coralville, Iowa on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2025. K. Voinovich won by decision over Patrick Jordan, 4-2. The two-day tournament is hosted by Iowa City Area Sports Commission and honors the service of past, present and future military members. The tournament hosted the University of Iowa, Army Prep, Bellarmine, Iowa State, Missouri, North Carolina, Navy, Oklahoma State, South Dakota State, Minnesota, University of Northern Iowa, Wyoming and Virginia Military Institute. (Reece Schrader)North Carolina 285 pounder, Jacob Levy looks into camera after pinning UNI opponent, Adam Ahredsen, during the Constellation Semi Final of the Soldier Salute Men’s College Wrestling Tournament at Xtream Arena in Coralville, Iowa on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2025. Levy won by fall over Ahredsen. The two-day tournament is hosted by Iowa City Area Sports Commission and honors the service of past, present and future military members. The tournament hosted the University of Iowa, Army Prep, Bellarmine, Iowa State, Missouri, North Carolina, Navy, Oklahoma State, South Dakota State, Minnesota, University of Northern Iowa, Wyoming and Virginia Military Institute. (Reece Schrader)Iowa 149 pounder, Kael Voinovich hooks the outside leg of VMI opponent, Patrick Jordan, to gain positioning during the Cons. Semi Final of the Soldier Salute Men’s College Wrestling Tournament at Xtream Arena in Coralville, Iowa on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2025. K. Voinovich won by decision over Patrick Jordan, 4-2. The two-day tournament is hosted by Iowa City Area Sports Commission and honors the service of past, present and future military members. The tournament hosted the University of Iowa, Army Prep, Bellarmine, Iowa State, Missouri, North Carolina, Navy, Oklahoma State, South Dakota State, Minnesota, University of Northern Iowa, Wyoming and Virginia Military Institute. (Reece Schrader)Wrestler fastens ankle band during the Soldier Salute Men’s College Wrestling Tournament at X-treme Arena in Coralville, Iowa on Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. The tournament houses the teams of Army Prep, Bellarmine, Iowa State, Missouri, North Carolina, Navy, Oklahoma State, South Dakota State, Minnesota, UNI, Wyoming, and Virginia Military Institute. The two-day tournament is hosted by Iowa City Area Sports Commission with the honoring of service members past, present, and future. (Reece Schrader)Iowa 141 pounder, Kale Petersen mat returns against Navy opponent, Caedyn Ricciardi, during the Third Place match of the Soldier Salute Men’s College Wrestling Tournament at Xtream Arena in Coralville, Iowa on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2025. Petersen won by decision over Ricciardi, 4-2, placing third overall. The two-day tournament is hosted by Iowa City Area Sports Commission and honors the service of past, present and future military members. The tournament hosted the University of Iowa, Army Prep, Bellarmine, Iowa State, Missouri, North Carolina, Navy, Oklahoma State, South Dakota State, Minnesota, University of Northern Iowa, Wyoming and Virginia Military Institute. (Reece Schrader)Iowa 149 pounder, Kael Voinovich taunts VMI opponent, Patrick Jordan, during the Cons. Semi Final of the Soldier Salute Men’s College Wrestling Tournament at Xtream Arena in Coralville, Iowa on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2025. K. Voinovich won by decision over Patrick Jordan, 4-2. The two-day tournament is hosted by Iowa City Area Sports Commission and honors the service of past, present and future military members. The tournament hosted the University of Iowa, Army Prep, Bellarmine, Iowa State, Missouri, North Carolina, Navy, Oklahoma State, South Dakota State, Minnesota, University of Northern Iowa, Wyoming and Virginia Military Institute. (Reece Schrader)
Iowa 141 pounder, Kale Petersen gains positioning against Navy opponent, Caedyn Ricciardi, during the Third Place match of the Soldier Salute Men’s College Wrestling Tournament at Xtream Arena in Coralville, Iowa on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2025. Petersen won by decision over Ricciardi, 4-2, placing third overall. The two-day tournament is hosted by Iowa City Area Sports Commission and honors the service of past, present and future military members. The tournament hosted the University of Iowa, Army Prep, Bellarmine, Iowa State, Missouri, North Carolina, Navy, Oklahoma State, South Dakota State, Minnesota, University of Northern Iowa, Wyoming and Virginia Military Institute. (Reece Schrader)Iowa 174 pounder, Gabe Arnold awaits referee’s whistle during the Championship match of the Soldier Salute Men’s College Wrestling Tournament at Xtream Arena in Coralville, Iowa on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2025. Arnold lost by decision, 4-1, placing second overall. The two-day tournament is hosted by Iowa City Area Sports Commission and honors the service of past, present and future military members. The tournament hosted the University of Iowa, Army Prep, Bellarmine, Iowa State, Missouri, North Carolina, Navy, Oklahoma State, South Dakota State, Minnesota, University of Northern Iowa, Wyoming and Virginia Military Institute. (Reece Schrader)North Carolina 141 pounder, Luke Simcox, walks out for first place match during the Soldier Salute Men’s College Wrestling Tournament at X-treme Arena in Coralville, Iowa on Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. Simcox won by medical forfeit midway through the match, placing first overall. The tournament houses the teams of Army Prep, Bellarmine, Iowa State, Missouri, North Carolina, Navy, Oklahoma State, South Dakota State, Minnesota, UNI, Wyoming, and Virginia Military Institute. The two-day tournament is hosted by Iowa City Area Sports Commission with the honoring of service members past, present, and future. (Reece Schrader)Referee raises the hand of Iowa 197 pounder, Harvey Ludington after defeating opponent, Mickey Calcagno, in the Fifth Place match of the Soldier Salute Men’s College Wrestling Tournament at Xtream Arena in Coralville, Iowa on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2025. Ludington won by decision, 7-6, placing fifth place overall. The two-day tournament is hosted by Iowa City Area Sports Commission and honors the service of past, present and future military members. The tournament hosted the University of Iowa, Army Prep, Bellarmine, Iowa State, Missouri, North Carolina, Navy, Oklahoma State, South Dakota State, Minnesota, University of Northern Iowa, Wyoming and Virginia Military Institute. (Reece Schrader)
