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The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

DJ Spencer Davis or "DJ Spencer D" practices before the final session of the NCAA Men’s Wrestling Championships at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, on Saturday, March 23, 2024.

Meet Spencer Davis, the DJ at this year’s NCAA Wrestling Championships

Kenna Roering, Sports Editor March 24, 2024

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — When Spencer Davis was 13 years old, he just wanted to be "the cool kid at the party." He didn't know how to dance, so he started teaching himself how to mix music. He burned...

Penn State 174-pound Carter Starocci prepares to wrestle Ohio State Rocco Welsh during the final session of the NCAA men’s wrestling championships at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, on Saturday, March 23, 2024. Starocci defeated Welsh by decision, 2-0, and became a four-time champion.

Photos: Session six of the NCAA Wrestling Championships

Cody Blissett, Visuals Editor March 24, 2024

Iowa 125-pound Drake Ayala lost in the finals in his first NCAA championship after the fifth session of the NCAA Wrestling Championships at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, MO. on Friday. Penn State...

An official holds up Penn State 197-pound Aaron Brooks arm during the fourth session of the NCAA men’s wrestling championships at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, on Friday, March 22, 2024. Brooks defeated Missouri Rocky Elam by technical fall.

Penn State wrestling makes history at NCAA Championships, breaks Iowa’s team point record

Isaac Elzinga, Sports Reporter March 24, 2024

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Penn State head coach Cael Sanderson approaches wrestling with the mindset that "it's just a game." That mindset helped his squad make history during the NCAA Wrestling Championships. "It...

Associate Head Coach Terry Brands observes a match during the third session of the NCAA men’s wrestling championships at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, on Friday, March 22, 2024.

Iowa men’s wrestling leaves NCAA Championships empty-handed

Kenna Roering and Isaac Elzinga March 23, 2024

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Iowa men's wrestler Drake Ayala kept the Hawkeyes' national finalist streak intact, but a few other streaks were broken at the NCAA Championships.  Ayala lost to Arizona State's...

Iowa 125-pound Drake Ayala wrestles Wisconsin Eric Barnet during the fourth session of the NCAA men’s wrestling championships at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, on Friday, March 22, 2024. Ayala won by decision, 3-2.

Iowa’s men’s wrestler Drake Ayala loses in 125-pound national title match

Isaac Elzinga, Sports Reporter March 23, 2024

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Iowa's Drake Ayala finished-runner up at the NCAA Tournament. The 125-pounder fell to Richard Figueroa of Arizona State 7-2 on Saturday night. This will be the first time since...

An official holds up Iowa 125-pound Drake Ayala’s arm during the fourth session of the NCAA Men’s Wrestling Championships at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, on Friday, March 22, 2024. Ayala defeated Wisconsin Eric Barnett by decision, 3-2.

Live updates | Drake Ayala competes for 125-pound national title

Isaac Elzinga, Sports Reporter March 23, 2024

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The final session of the NCAA Championships begins at 6 p.m. at the T-Mobile Center. It will be broadcast on ESPN. Iowa's Drake Ayala, the only Hawkeye who advanced to the finals,...

Iowa 157-pound Jared Franek prepares to get up after wrestling Nebraska Peyton Robb during the fifth session of the NCAA men’s wrestling championships at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, on Saturday, March 23, 2024. Robb won by major decision, 11-2 and placed seventh.

Iowa men’s wrestlers Jared Franek, Real Woods reflect on collegiate careers

Kenna Roering, Sports Editor March 23, 2024

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Two Iowa wrestlers' careers came to an end on Saturday afternoon. Jared Franek placed eighth nationally at 157 pounds, and Real Woods finished fourth at 141, both securing All-American...

Iowa 157-pound Jared Franek walks off the mat after wrestling Nebraska Peyton Robb during the fifth session of the NCAA men’s wrestling championships at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, on Saturday, March 23, 2024. Robb won by major decision, 11-2 and placed seventh.

Photos: Session five of the NCAA Wrestling Championships

Cody Blissett, Visuals Editor March 23, 2024

Iowa 141-pound Real Woods, 165-pound Mike Caliendo, and 157-pound Jared Franek all placed and received all-American status after the fifth session of the NCAA Wrestling Championships at T-Mobile Center...

Penn State 165-pound Mitchell Mesenbrink wrestles Iowa Mike Caliendo during the fourth session of the NCAA men’s wrestling championships at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, on Friday, March 22, 2024. Mesenbrink won by major decision, 17-9.

Live updates | Three Iowa men’s wrestlers compete in medal round of NCAA Championships

Isaac Elzinga, Sports Reporter March 23, 2024

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — We are back for day three of the NCAA Wrestling Championships. Session VI gets underway at 10 a.m. in the T-Mobile Center. The Hawkeyes are in third in the team standings, trailing...

Iowa 125-pound Drake Ayala wrestles Wisconsin Eric Barnet during the fourth session of the NCAA men’s wrestling championships at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, on Friday, March 22, 2024. Ayala won by decision, 3-2.

Photos: Session four of the 2024 NCAA Wrestling Championships

Cody Blissett, Visuals Editor March 23, 2024

After session four, Iowa 125-pound Drake Ayala is the only Hawkeye to advance to the championship round of the NCAA Wrestling Championships at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, MO. on Friday. Iowa 165-pound...

Iowa State 165-pound David Carr gestures after defeating Missouri 165-pound Keegan O`toole during the fourth session of the NCAA men’s wrestling championships at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, on Friday, March 22, 2024. Carr won by decision, 8-6.

Iowa State wrestler David Carr beats Missouri’s Keegan O’Toole in NCAA semifinals to end rivalry on top

Isaac Elzinga, Sports Reporter March 22, 2024

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Iowa State 165-pounder David Carr returned to the NCAA finals in dramatic fashion, winning against two-time reigning national champion Keegan O'Toole from Missouri. O'Toole...

An official holds up Iowa 125-pound Drake Ayala’s arm during the fourth session of the NCAA men’s wrestling championships at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, on Friday, March 22, 2024. Ayala defeated Wisconsin Eric Barnet  by decision, 3-2.

Drake Ayala extends Iowa wrestling’s finalist streak, advances to NCAA title match

Kenna Roering, Sports Editor March 22, 2024

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Coming into the national tournament, Iowa men's wrestling had a tradition to uphold. Since 1990, at least one Hawkeye has advanced to the finals every year, a streak that Iowa...