Author: marklongmainstream (Page 103 of 174)

The 2020-2021 Iowa Hawkeye wrestling team capped a near perfect season, showing a level of dominance rarely shown in college wrestling. The 2021-2022 team is equally as impressive, and returns 10 former All-Americans. It should come as no surprise to anyone that the Hawkeyes are again the number 1 ranked team in the nation! In this article we will dive into the 5 reasons Iowa is favored to repeat as National Champions. So without further ado, lets get into it.

1.  Bonus Points:  Very few teams can match the bonus rate Iowa puts out. Spencer Lee, Austin DeSanto, Jaydin Eierman, Alex Marinelli, Michael Kemerer, and Tony Cassioppi are all known to rack up bonus points in bunches.  In a tournament format this is especially important.  With the team race expected to be very close this year, bonus points will likely make the difference.

2. Depth: As Iowa proved last season, its not the number of individual champions that make up a team championship, it’s the depth of the team that wins the title. Iowa will likely qualify all 10 weight classes, and I fully expect all 10 to score points, and its not out of the realm of possibility for all 10 to wind up on the podium.  This would be a first for Iowa wrestling.

3. Seniors: Iowa has strong senior leadership on this year’s team, and these seniors are some of the best pound for pound in the nation. But, what sets these seniors apart from some of the others, is unmet goals.  These guys are using their extra year of eligibility for one reason, to win national titles. Both team and individual titles are on the line, and the Hawkeyes plan on bringing home both. Spencer Lee, Austin DeSanto, Jaydin Eierman, Alex Marinelli, and Michael Kemerer are all back and are all in the hunt for a national title.

4. Spencer Lee:  Mr. Lee is back and is aiming to make history, by becoming the first 4x NCAA champion in school history.  Spencer winning another title will generate huge points for Iowa, as well as spark a surge within the program and get everyone else fired up.

5. Superior Coaching: Iowa is led by one of the best coaches in the country. Coach Tom Brands has been named NWCA coach of the year 3x and has led the Hawks to 6 Big 10 team titles, and 4 NCAA team titles. Bottom line, Coach Brands knows how to get his wrestlers prepared, and there is no one I would rather have leading the Hawkeyes into battle.

With six returning All Americans graduating at the end of the 2021-2022 season, it would be easy to think that next season will be a rebuilding year for the storied Hawkeye wrestling program.  While it will in fact be exactly that, and we should expect to see a lot of new faces in the lineup next year at this time. Often times the phrase rebuilding year, is interpreted as a season with less than desirable results.  However, it’s this writers belief that the 2022-2023 Iowa wrestling team will contend for a National Title.

In this article we will take a look at this years team, as well as what we should expect down the road for our beloved Hawkeyes.

The 2021-2022 team is the top team in the country for the 3rd straight season,they are the defending NCAA Champion Team, and carry the longest current winning streak in division 1 wrestling.  The team is lead by NCAA title contenders, Spencer Lee, Austin DeSanto, Jaydin Eierman, Alex Marinelli, and Michael Kemerer, as well as U23 World Champion Tony Cassioppi.

This amazing lineup looks like this:

125 Spencer Lee 3x defending NCAA Champion, and 2x Hodge Trophy winner.

133 Austin DeSanto 3x All American.

141 Jaydin Eierman 4x All American.

149 Max Murin 1x All American

157 Kaleb Young 3x All American

165 Alex Marinelli 3x All American

174 Michael Kemerer 4x All American

184 Abe Assad 1x All American

197 Jacob Warner 3x All American

HWT Tony Cassioppi 2x All American and U23 World Champion

All you have to do is take one look at this line up to see how truly special it is.  Its easy to see why the 2021-2022 Iowa Hawkeyes are the number 1 ranked team in the country.  But what these stats don’t show, is that Iowa has graduating seniors at 125, 133, 141, 157, 165, and 174.  Those 6 are among the most accomplished on the Iowa squad.  So it’s easy to see, why so many think Iowa will drop off the podium next season.

@iowahawkeyewrestling

I for one don’t think that is the case at all.  In fact I think next years team will have an outstanding season and should again contend for a national title.  Lets take a look at the squad that will represent Iowa in the 2022-2023 season.

125 Iowa has two strong contenders competing for the starting spot.

Jesse Ybarra 3x state champion from Arizona, was ranked number 1 in the country at 120 lbs in high school.

or

Drake Ayala 3x state champion from Iowa, super 32 champion.

I expect Ybarra to red-shirt next season, giving Ayala the starting position. From everything I’ve seen of Drake Ayala, I fully expect him to be Iowa’s next 4x All American, finishing somewhere on the podium between 3rd and 6th next season.

133 Cullan Schriever Will likely get the starting position for the Hawks at 133.  Schriever is ready to wrestle right away and has been very impressive this year.  I believe he would  be an all American contender this season if it wasn’t for Austin DeSanto holding down the starting spot.  Schriever is another potential 4x all american. Next year I see him finishing in the 4th -7th place range, maybe higher depending on how the weight shapes out.

141 Wyatt Henson is the leading contender at this weight, and so far he is off to a fantastic start. Wyatt is a 3x state champion, winning his first title in Missouri before moving to the wrestling rich state of Pennsylvania and winning 2 more. Since entering the college ranks he has won 2 tournament championships and sports a perfect 9-0 record.  It’s also noteworthy to mention, that his father Sammie Henson was a 2x NCAA champion, a world champion, and an Olympic Silver Medalist!

149 Max Murin returns for his senior season with a career record of 40-18 (as of now).  Max is a returning All- American and will be looking to return to the podium for his senior year.

157 Several wrestlers will compete for the starting spot at 157, among them are Jack McClimon,  and Joe Kelly. With neither of these two winning a state title in high school, I’m a little concerned about this weight class and its ability to compete amongst the nations best. However with Max Murin holding down the 149 spot for his senior season, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Caleb Rathjen or Bretli Reyna make the move to 157 in an attempt to secure the starting spot. Caleb was a 4x state finalist and 2x champion from Ankeny Iowa, he was also a multi time Fargo all- american.  Bretli was a 4x Florida state champion, and saw limited action last season.

165 Patrick Kennedy is the future of this weight class and wow he has certainly been impressive this far. This kid is the real deal, he was a 4x state champion in wrestling rich Minnesota, he was a Super 32 Champion, as well as a Fargo champion in High School.  In college, he has been just as impressive. Last year his only loss was a 7-4 decision against  #4 ranked Mikey Labriola of Nebraska. This year his only loss was against teammate Alex Marinelli.  It’s my opinion that Kennedy would finish top 3 in the NCAA if he was our starter this year. Next season I predict nothing short of an NCAA title.

174 The Hawks have two contenders for the starting spot at 174. Both Nelson Brands and Brennan Swafford, are excellent candidates for the position.

Brennan was a 2x state place winner at state in High School, but it was at Graceland College that his skills really began to shine. Brennan would go on to become a 3x All-American, and a 2x National Champion at the NAIA level. What I really like about this kid, is that it wasn’t enough.  It would of been easy to stay at Graceland and likely become a 3x National Champion.  Rather than take the easier path Brennan, transferred to Iowa in an attempt to compete for a Division 1 National Title.

Nelson Brands has seen a lot of action with the Hawkeyes over the last few seasons, and has shown mixed results. He’s had impressive sometimes even dominating wins over Taylor Venz, Rocky Jordan, Samuel Colbray, and Zach Braunagel. But he’s also had some frustrating loses along the way as well.  Hopefully the move down to 174 will help Nelson overcome some of those setbacks he faced at 184. So far this year he is off to a perfect start and is currently undefeated while filling in for an injured Michael Kemerer.

I could see either of these two reaching the NCAA podium next season, somewhere between the 6th-8th range.

184 Abe Assad was a highly touted recruit coming out of high school as a 2x Illinois state champion, he was also a cadet world bronze medalist. As a true freshman Abe didn’t disappoint beating out Cash Wilkie and Nelson Brands for the starting spot, he finished 2nd at Midlands, and 4th in the Big Ten. He finished the season with a 22-7 record and achieved all-american status. However, Abe missed all of last season due to injury, and hasn’t looked the same this season either.  If Assad can remain injury free the sky’s the limit and he should again reach all-american status.

197 Jacob Warner will return for his senior season, with one goal: winning a NCAA title.  He is already a 3x All-American, and will likely be a 4x all american at the conclusion of this season.  Next year I see Warner finishing no lower than 3rd at the NCAA tournament and possibly winning the top prize.

HWT Tony Cassioppi Is one of the best heavyweights Iowa has ever had, and expectations will be sky high for him next season. At this point anything less than a national title will be disappointing for Tony.

If my predictions hold true, I see the Hawkeyes with 7 maybe 8 All-Americans with 3 in the finals.  I also wouldn’t be surprised to see Wyatt Henson surpass my expectations and reach the podium as well.  The only real hole in the line up I see is at 157, however that could just be my lack of knowledge on the the wrestlers competing for the starting spot.  I could also see someone transferring in to fill that spot.  184 also has some questions, will Assad be healthy enough to compete at the highest levels?  Hopefully this question is answered before the conclusion of this season.

This talent rich team will likely feature 5 freshman, setting Iowa up for years to come. If that wasn’t enough, the Hawkeyes have an incredible recruiting class coming in the next two years. Yes, for the Iowa Hawkeyes wrestling program, the future looks bright!!!

For the most park I’m not a fan of winter. Aside from the occasional ski trip or ice fishing, and the beauty of a frozen waterfall, I’m just not a fan of the cold.  However, after seeing some of these incredible ice castles I may need to rethink my winter dread.

Ice Castles/Facebook

The Ice Castles of Lake Geneva Wisconsin

For more information, click here.

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The Ice Castles Of  New Brighton Minnesota

For more information, click here.

Ice Castles/Facebook

The Saint Paul Winter Carnival Minnesota

For more information, click here.

Saint Paul Winter Carnival

The Ice Caves Of Eben Michigan

For more information, click here.

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Cave of the Mounds, was discovered in 1939, in Blue Mound Wisconsin, and has been open for cave tours for over 75 years. Since then Cave of the Mounds has become recognized as the premier cave in the upper Midwest, often referred to as the jewel box of America’s show caves.

In 1988, Cave of the Mounds was designated a National Natural Landmark by the United States Department of the Interior and the National Park Service.

Guided tours of this underground wonderland follow paved, lighted walkways everyday of the year. (except Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve and Day). These cave tours take you past an amazing array of crystal formations, stalactites, stalagmites, and columns. Weather you’re looking for a fun way to beat the summer heat,(the cave has a constant temperature of 50-degrees) or an experienced cave explorer, this tour has something for everyone.

Exploring the cave is only one part of everything there is to do at Cave of the Mounds. Visitors can also enjoy the Fossil Dig, the Butterfly Gardens, the Gemstone Mine and the amazing gift shop, or you can take in lunch in one of the picnic areas.

The hiking and bike trails are a great way to enjoy, a beautiful spring day. Cave of the Mounds is located just off of the Military Ridge bike trail which winds the beautiful drift-less area of Southwest Wisconsin, known for its beautiful views.

A trip to Cave of the Mounds is an opportunity to create memories which will last a lifetime.

For more information click here. or call 608 437-3038

or just stop in for a visit

Cave of the Mounds
2975 Cave of the Mounds Road
P.O. Box 148
Blue Mounds, Wisconsin 53517-0148

Situated high above the Ohio River near Madison, Clifty Falls State Park provides breathtaking views, not just of the river but also of the many waterfalls for which the park is named. Depending on the season, the falls vary from roaring plunges to delicate mists.  During the winter months the falls turn into gleaming frozen titans.

Clifty Creek’s stone bed is littered with fossil remnants telling of a long-vanished marine ecosystem that teemed with life that included ancient corals, ancestral squids, brachiopods, and more. Fossil collecting within Clifty Falls State Park is prohibited but nearby collecting locations are readily accessible.

The rugged splendor of Clifty Canyon offers exciting year-round hiking and scenery.

There are 10 different trails hikers can enjoy, most of which are rugged and have steep climbs before reaching the  bluffs. While the hikes maybe strenuous your efforts will be rewarded at the end, as there is an incredible view or other unique feature is waiting along the trail. Waterfalls are some of the most spectacular sights you will find within the park. The park offers excellent year-round hiking opportunities for all ages. There is even an old railroad tunnel to explore.

Make a full day out of adventuring through this incredible park, and make plans to stay the night.  There are more than 160 different campsites, there is also the Clifty Inn Lodge which has the delicious Falls Restaurant! You won’t find a better place to get away from it all.

Clifty Falls State Park is located at 1501 Green Rd, Madison, IN 47250

For more information, click here.