Iowa 184-pounder, No. 8 Angelo Ferrari fights for head position against Penn State’s No. 1 Rocco Welsh during Session One of the Big Ten Championships at the Bryce Jordan Center in State College, Pennsylvania on Saturday, Mar. 7, 2026. Welsh defeated Ferrari 3-2. The Iowa Hawkeyes qualified ten athletes for the tournament and are ranked No. 4 in the tournament standings. The Big10 Championship hosts the universities of Iowa, Penn State, Nebraska, Ohio State, Minnesota, Michigan State, Indiana, Purdue, Rutgers, Wisconsin, Northwestern, Maryland, and Illinois. (Reece Schrader/Daily Iowan)
The Iowa Hawkeyes competed on the first day of the Big Ten Championships at the Bryce Jordan Center in State College, Pennsylvania on Saturday, March 7, 2026. The Hawkeyes ended with 70 total team points, maintaining a fourth place behind Ohio State, Nebraska, and Penn State.
Fans and athletes attend Session One of the Big Ten Championships at the Bryce Jordan Center in State College, Pennsylvania on Saturday, March 7, 2026. The Iowa Hawkeyes qualified ten athletes for the tournament and are ranked No. 4 in the tournament standings. The Big10 Championship hosts the universities of Iowa, Penn State, Nebraska, Ohio State, Minnesota, Michigan State, Indiana, Purdue, Rutgers, Wisconsin, Northwestern, Maryland, and Illinois. (Reece Schrader/Daily Iowan)
The Big10 Championship hosts the universities of Iowa, Penn State, Nebraska, Ohio State, Minnesota, Michigan State, Indiana, Purdue, Rutgers, Wisconsin, Northwestern, Maryland, and Illinois.
Iowa 133-pounder, No. 5 Drake Ayala connects head with Penn State’s No. 1 Marcus Blaze during Session Two of the Big Ten Championships at the Bryce Jordan Center in State College, Pennsylvania on Saturday, Mar. 7, 2026. Blaze defeated Ayala 4-1. The Iowa Hawkeyes qualified ten athletes for the tournament and are ranked No. 4 in the tournament standings. The Big10 Championship hosts the universities of Iowa, Penn State, Nebraska, Ohio State, Minnesota, Michigan State, Indiana, Purdue, Rutgers, Wisconsin, Northwestern, Maryland, and Illinois. (Reece Schrader/Daily Iowan)
The Hawkeyes qualified ten wrestlers for the tournament including Dean Petersen, Drake Ayala, Ryder Block, Nasir Bailey, Victor Voinovich III, Micheal Caliendo, Patrick Kennedy, Angelo Ferrari, Gabe Arnold, and Ben Keuter.
Nebraska 174-pounder, Christopher Minto celebrates in the face of Iowa Head Coach Tom Brands after defeating No. 3 Patrick Kennedy during Session Two of the Big Ten Championships at the Bryce Jordan Center in State College, Pennsylvania on Saturday, Mar. 7, 2026. Taylor defeated Catrabone 7-1. The Big10 Championship hosts the universities of Iowa, Penn State, Nebraska, Ohio State, Minnesota, Michigan State, Indiana, Purdue, Rutgers, Wisconsin, Northwestern, Maryland, and Illinois. (Reece Schrader/Daily Iowan)
Dean Petersen, 125-pounder, started strong with a 6-2 decision against Michigan’s Diego Sotelo but later fell to Penn State’s Luke Lilledahl in a 8-3 decision. Petersen secured back-to-back wins for the Hawkeyes against Northwestern’s Dedrick Navarro (5-0) and Nebraska’s Kael Lauridsen (4-3).
Iowa 125-pounder, No. 8 Dean Petersen walks off the mat after defeating Michigan’s No. 9 Diego Sotelo during Session One of the Big Ten Championships at the Bryce Jordan Center in State College, Pennsylvania on Saturday, Mar. 7, 2026. Petersen defeated Sotelo 6-2. The Iowa Hawkeyes qualified ten athletes for the tournament and are ranked No. 4 in the tournament standings. The Big10 Championship hosts the universities of Iowa, Penn State, Nebraska, Ohio State, Minnesota, Michigan State, Indiana, Purdue, Rutgers, Wisconsin, Northwestern, Maryland, and Illinois. (Reece Schrader/Daily Iowan)
Ayala secured a first round technical fall against Indiana’s Blaine Frazier. In the 133-pound quarterfinals, Ayala faced Wisconsin’s Zan Fugitt and achieved a 10-3 decision to seal a spot in the semi finals. However, Ayala fell to Penn State’s Marcus Blaze in a 4-1 sudden victory. Ayala will face returning NCAA champion Lucas Byrd of Illinois in the next round of competition.
Iowa 133-pounder, No. 5 Drake Ayala hangs head in defeated after loosing to Penn State’s No. 1 Marcus Blaze during Session Two of the Big Ten Championships at the Bryce Jordan Center in State College, Pennsylvania on Saturday, Mar. 7, 2026. Blaze defeated Ayala 4-1. The Iowa Hawkeyes qualified ten athletes for the tournament and are ranked No. 4 in the tournament standings. The Big10 Championship hosts the universities of Iowa, Penn State, Nebraska, Ohio State, Minnesota, Michigan State, Indiana, Purdue, Rutgers, Wisconsin, Northwestern, Maryland, and Illinois. (Reece Schrader/Daily Iowan) (Reece Schrader/Daily Iowan)
Nasir Bailey secured a 8-4 decision against Wisconsin’s Carson Exferd to enter the quarter finals at 141-pounds. Bailey picked up a 9-1 major decision against Michigan’s Ragusin however failed to obtain a finals spot after losing 19-4 to Ohio State’s Jesse Mendez in the semi-finals.
Iowa 141-pounder, No. 4 Nasir Bailey raises hand in victory after defeating against Michigan’s Dyaln Ragusin during Session One of the Big Ten Championships at the Bryce Jordan Center in State College, Pennsylvania on Saturday, Mar. 7, 2026. Bailey defeated Ragusin 9-1. The Iowa Hawkeyes qualified ten athletes for the tournament and are ranked No. 4 in the tournament standings. The Big10 Championship hosts the universities of Iowa, Penn State, Nebraska, Ohio State, Minnesota, Michigan State, Indiana, Purdue, Rutgers, Wisconsin, Northwestern, Maryland, and Illinois. (Reece Schrader/Daily Iowan)
Ryder Block started with a 4-1 decision against Illinois’s Michael Gioffre to gain a spot in the quarterfinals. Block soon fell to Penn State’s Shayne Van Ness by 5-4 decision and Rutger’s Andrew Clark, 4-0. Block will face Purdue’s Gavin Brown in the next round of competition.
Iowa 149-pounder, No. 8 Ryder Block lifts against Rutger’s Andrew Clark during Session Two of the Big Ten Championships at the Bryce Jordan Center in State College, Pennsylvania on Saturday, Mar. 7, 2026. Clark defeated Block 4-0. The Iowa Hawkeyes qualified ten athletes for the tournament and are ranked No. 4 in the tournament standings. The Big10 Championship hosts the universities of Iowa, Penn State, Nebraska, Ohio State, Minnesota, Michigan State, Indiana, Purdue, Rutgers, Wisconsin, Northwestern, Maryland, and Illinois. (Reece Schrader/Daily Iowan)
Victor Voinovich III lost against Ohio State’s Brandon Cannon, 6-0, and Wisconsin’s Luke Mechler, 8-3, in the first rounds of competition. Voinovich secured his first win of the tournament against Northwestern’s Ty Wilson in a 8-0 decision. Voinovich will face Rutger’s Tony White in the next round of competition.
Iowa Head Coach Tom Brands awaits the commencement of Session Two of the Big Ten Championships at the Bryce Jordan Center in State College, Pennsylvania on Saturday, March 7, 2026. The Iowa Hawkeyes qualified ten athletes for the tournament and are ranked No. 4 in the tournament standings. The Big10 Championship hosts the universities of Iowa, Penn State, Nebraska, Ohio State, Minnesota, Michigan State, Indiana, Purdue, Rutgers, Wisconsin, Northwestern, Maryland, and Illinois. (Reece Schrader/Daily Iowan)
Michael Caliendo secured the Hawkeyes their only finalist with three straight victories against Michigan State’s Jack Conley (Fall), Illinois’s Braeden Scoles (14-5), and Rutger’s Andrew Barbosa (11-3). Caliendo will face off against rival Mitchell Mesenbrick of Penn State in the 165 Championship match.
Athletes warm up alongside mats during Session One of the Big Ten Championships at the Bryce Jordan Center in State College, Pennsylvania on Saturday, March 7, 2026. The Iowa Hawkeyes qualified ten athletes for the tournament and are ranked No. 4 in the tournament standings. The Big10 Championship hosts the universities of Iowa, Penn State, Nebraska, Ohio State, Minnesota, Michigan State, Indiana, Purdue, Rutgers, Wisconsin, Northwestern, Maryland, and Illinois. (Reece Schrader/Daily Iowan)
Patrick Kennedy returned to the semi finals after a technical fall against Maryland’s Seth Digby and a major decision against Rutger’s Lenny Pinto. However, Kennedy fell to Nebraska’s Christopher Minto by 5-1 decision. Kennedy will face Michigan’s Beau Mantanona in the next round of competition.
Iowa 174-pounder, No. 3 Patrick Kennedy walks off matt after defeating Maryland’s No. 14 Seth Digby during Session One of the Big Ten Championships at the Bryce Jordan Center in State College, Pennsylvania on Saturday, Mar. 7, 2026. Kennedy defeated Digby 19-4. The Iowa Hawkeyes qualified ten athletes for the tournament and are ranked No. 4 in the tournament standings. The Big10 Championship hosts the universities of Iowa, Penn State, Nebraska, Ohio State, Minnesota, Michigan State, Indiana, Purdue, Rutgers, Wisconsin, Northwestern, Maryland, and Illinois. (Reece Schrader/Daily Iowan)
Returning from injury, Angelo Ferrari gained his first victory over Indiana’s Sam Goin by a 9-3. In a controversial match, Ferrari once again lost to Penn State’s Rocco Welsh in a 3-2 decision in double overtime. After a 5-1 victory against Purdue’s James Rowley, Ferrari medical forfeited the remaining matches for potential a new injury.
Iowa 184-pounder, No. 8 Angelo Ferrari lifts Penn State’s No. 1 Rocco Welsh during Session One of the Big Ten Championships at the Bryce Jordan Center in State College, Pennsylvania on Saturday, Mar. 7, 2026. Welsh defeated Ferrari 3-2. The Iowa Hawkeyes qualified ten athletes for the tournament and are ranked No. 4 in the tournament standings. The Big10 Championship hosts the universities of Iowa, Penn State, Nebraska, Ohio State, Minnesota, Michigan State, Indiana, Purdue, Rutgers, Wisconsin, Northwestern, Maryland, and Illinois. (Reece Schrader/Daily Iowan)
Transitioning to the 197-pound weight class, Gabe Arnold lost his first match against Maryland’s Branson John by 4-1 decision. Arnold countered soon after with a victory against Illinois’s Dylan Connell in a 5-1 decision but was stopped by Rutger’s Remy Cotton with a 4-1 loss. Rematching Connel in the bracket, Arnold once again won by 4-1 decision in sudden victory. Arnold will face Michigan’s Hayden Walters in the next round of competition.
Iowa 197-pounder, No. 13 Gabe Arnold looks into the eyes of the camera in match against Illinois’s Dylan Connell during Session One of the Big Ten Championships at the Bryce Jordan Center in State College, Pennsylvania on Saturday, Mar. 7, 2026. Arnold defeated Connell 5-.1 The Iowa Hawkeyes qualified ten athletes for the tournament and are ranked No. 4 in the tournament standings. The Big10 Championship hosts the universities of Iowa, Penn State, Nebraska, Ohio State, Minnesota, Michigan State, Indiana, Purdue, Rutgers, Wisconsin, Northwestern, Maryland, and Illinois. (Reece Schrader/Daily Iowan)
Ben Kueter gained an early victory against Minnesota’s Koy Hopke in a 5-2 decision however fell short to Nebraska’s No. 2 AJ Ferrari. Kueter won his two following matches with decisions over Michigan State’s Josh Terrill and Illinois’s Luke Luffman. Kueter will face Cole Mirasola of Penn State in the next round of competition.
Iowa 184-pounder, No. 8 Angelo Ferrari leaves the mat after defeating Indiana’s No. 9 Sam Goin during Session One of the Big Ten Championships at the Bryce Jordan Center in State College, Pennsylvania on Saturday, Mar. 7, 2026. Ferrari defeated Goin 9-3. The Iowa Hawkeyes qualified ten athletes for the tournament and are ranked No. 4 in the tournament standings. The Big10 Championship hosts the universities of Iowa, Penn State, Nebraska, Ohio State, Minnesota, Michigan State, Indiana, Purdue, Rutgers, Wisconsin, Northwestern, Maryland, and Illinois. (Reece Schrader/Daily Iowan)
The Hawkeyes will return to the Big Ten mat on Sunday, March 8, 2026 at 12:00 PM at the Bryce Jordan Center in State College, Pennsylvania.
Wisconsin Head Coach Jon Reader yells at referee during Session One of the Big Ten Championships at the Bryce Jordan Center in State College, Pennsylvania on Saturday, March 7, 2026. The Iowa Hawkeyes qualified ten athletes for the tournament and are ranked No. 4 in the tournament standings. The Big10 Championship hosts the universities of Iowa, Penn State, Nebraska, Ohio State, Minnesota, Michigan State, Indiana, Purdue, Rutgers, Wisconsin, Northwestern, Maryland, and Illinois. (Reece Schrader/Daily Iowan)Iowa 141-pounder, No. 4 Nasir Bailey attempts to roll against Ohio State’s Jesse Mendez during Session Two of the Big Ten Championships at the Bryce Jordan Center in State College, Pennsylvania on Saturday, Mar. 7, 2026. Mendez defeated Bailey 19-4. The Iowa Hawkeyes qualified ten athletes for the tournament and are ranked No. 4 in the tournament standings. The Big10 Championship hosts the universities of Iowa, Penn State, Nebraska, Ohio State, Minnesota, Michigan State, Indiana, Purdue, Rutgers, Wisconsin, Northwestern, Maryland, and Illinois. (Reece Schrader/Daily Iowan)
