Penn State 174-pounder Levi Haines lifts up championship belt at the conclusion of the Big Ten Championships at the Bryce Jordan Center in State College, Pennsylvania on Sunday, March 8, 2026. Penn State had seven champions crowned in the finals and broke the record for most team points scored since 1995. (Reece Schrader/The Daily Iowan)
The Iowa Hawkeyes secured a fourth place finish at the Big Ten Championships at the Bryce Jordan Center in State College, Pennsylvania on Sunday, March 8, 2026. Iowa had six athletes finish in the top-five and the remaining five placing within the top-ten.
Nebraska’s Antrell Taylor runs onto mat during the finals of the Big Ten Championships at the Bryce Jordan Center in State College, Pennsylvania on Sunday, March 8, 2026. The Iowa Hawkeyes finished in fourth place behind Ohio State, Nebraska, and Penn State with six placers in the top-five. (Reece Schrader/The Daily Iowan)
No. 8 Dean Petersen, 125-pounder, placed fifth overall in a 5-2 decision against Michigan’s No. 9 Diego Sotelo.
Iowa 141-pounder No. 4 Nasir Bailey attempts to defend an escape attempt by Minnesota’s Vance VomBaur during the third place match of the Big Ten Championships at the Bryce Jordan Center in State College, Pennsylvania on Sunday, March 8, 2026. Bailey defeated VomBaur 7-4. The Iowa Hawkeyes finished in fourth place behind Ohio State, Nebraska, and Penn State with six placers in the top-five. (Reece Schrader/The Daily Iowan)
Drake Ayala placed third overall with an impressive 4-1 tournament run. After losing in the semi finals to Penn State’s Marcus Blaze, Ayala fell back to the consolation semis to battle against Illinois’s No. 2 Lucas Byrd. Rematching last year’s Big Ten and NCAA finals, Ayala defeated Bryd in an 4-1 upset. In his third place match, Ayala defeated Wisconsin’s No. 4 Zan Fugitt in a 4-2 decision to secure his spot on the podium. “I think I am the most battle tested guy in the country” expressed Drake after being asked about facing adversity and its effect on preparing for nationals.
Wisconsin 133-pounder No. 4 Zan Fugitt is defended by Iowa’s No. 5 Drake Ayala in the third place match of the Big Ten Championships at the Bryce Jordan Center in State College, Pennsylvania on Sunday, March 8, 2026. Ayala defeated Fugitt by a 4-2 decision. The Iowa Hawkeyes finished in fourth place behind Ohio State, Nebraska, and Penn State with six placers in the top-five. (Reece Schrader/The Daily Iowan)
Nasir Bailey pushed the pace with an early victory in the consolation semifinals against Rutger’s No. 10 Joey Olivieri, 11-6. Bailey would then secure his top-three finish with a 7-4 decision against No. 3 Vance VomBaur of Minnesota.
Indiana friends and family cheer on athlete during the Big Ten Championship at the Bryce Jordan Center in State College, Pennsylvania on Sunday, March 8, 2026. (Reece Schrader/The Daily Iowan)
Ryder Block and Victor Voinovich III placed ninth overall with a victory against No. 6 Chance Lamer of Nebraska (Block) and a forfeit (Voinovich).
Penn State fans await free t-shirt toss during the finals of the Big Ten Championships at the Bryce Jordan Center in State College, Pennsylvania on Sunday, March 8, 2026. The Iowa Hawkeyes finished in fourth place behind Ohio State, Nebraska, and Penn State with six placers in the top-five. (Reece Schrader/The Daily Iowan)
Michael Caliendo placed second after falling to Penn State’s No. 1 Mitchell Messenbrink in a 12-3 major decision.
Iowa 165-pounder No. 3 Michael Caliendo attempts to fight offensive attack against Penn State’s No. 1 Mitchell Messenbrink during the finals of the Big Ten Championships at the Bryce Jordan Center in State College, Pennsylvania on Sunday, March 8, 2026. Messenbrink defeated Caliendo 12-3. The Iowa Hawkeyes finished in fourth place behind Ohio State, Nebraska, and Penn State with six placers in the top-five. (Reece Schrader/The Daily Iowan) Penn State 165-pounder No. 1 Mitchell Messenbrink points to crowd after defeating Iowa’s No. 3 Michael Caliendo during the finals of the Big Ten Championships at the Bryce Jordan Center in State College, Pennsylvania on Sunday, March 8, 2026. The Iowa Hawkeyes finished in fourth place behind Ohio State, Nebraska, and Penn State with six placers in the top-five. (Reece Schrader/The Daily Iowan)
Patrick Kennedy placed fourth overall after falling to Ohio State’s No. 4 Carson Kharchla, 7-3.
Ohio State 285-pounder No. 3 Nick Feldman is taken down in Consulation Semi-final during the Big Ten Championship at the Bryce Jordan Center in State College, Pennsylvania on Sunday, March 8, 2026. Feldman placed third overall. (Reece Schrader/The Daily Iowan)
Gabe Arnold secured a spot in the 11th place finals after clearing his semi-final with a 4-2 victory against Michigan’s No. 10 Hayden Walters. Arnold received his 11th place victory after a medical forfeit by No. 7 Kael Wisler of Michigan State.
Michigan 285-pounder Taye Ghadiali picks up relative after defeating Nebraska’s AJ Ferrari in the finals of the Big Ten Championships at the Bryce Jordan Center in State College, Pennsylvania on Sunday, March 8, 2026. Ghadiali defeated Ferrari by decision. The Iowa Hawkeyes finished in fourth place behind Ohio State, Nebraska, and Penn State with six placers in the top-five. (Reece Schrader/The Daily Iowan)
Ben Kueter placed fourth after falling to Ohio State’s No. 3 Nick Feldman by 6-2 decision.
Ohio State 285-pounder Nick Feldman pushes Iowa’s Ben Kueter out of bounce during the third place match of the Big Ten Championships at the Bryce Jordan Center in State College, Pennsylvania on Sunday, March 8, 2026. Feldman defeated Kueter 6-2. The Iowa Hawkeyes finished in fourth place behind Ohio State, Nebraska, and Penn State with six placers in the top-five. (Reece Schrader/The Daily Iowan)
The Hawkeyes are set to travel to Cleveland, Ohio for the NCAA Championships at Rocket Arena on Thursday, March 19, 2026.
Iowa 165-pounder No. 3 Michael Caliendo stares blankly on podium after loosing in the finals of the Big Ten Championships at the Bryce Jordan Center in State College, Pennsylvania on Sunday, March 8, 2026. Penn State’s No. 1 Messenbrink defeated Caliendo 12-3. The Iowa Hawkeyes finished in fourth place behind Ohio State, Nebraska, and Penn State with six placers in the top-five. (Reece Schrader/The Daily Iowan)
