Beav's Wrestling Dual Meet v. #2 Iowa at Gill - 7PM Saturday 11/2/24

bild · Saturday at 5:10 PM

Writeup from The Des Moines Register:

No. 2 Iowa wrestling begins its regular season against No. 30 Oregon State, an opponent that despite being ranked outside the top 25 (naah, beavs are ranked 24) has always drawn the respect of coach Tom Brands, on Saturday at 9 p.m. CT.

What to know about Oregon State

The Beavers placed 19 members of its roster on the probables sheet, with two wrestlers listed at each weight as potential starters except for 197 pounds.

With three-ranked wrestlers on the bout sheet, the Beavers are an underdog in this matchup. As Brands mentioned, however, coach Pendleton (two-time NCAA champion with Oklahoma State) is highly respected amongst coaches in wrestling.

He also has had an Iowa influence, with three Iowans on the roster — Graham Gambrell (Iowa City West), Brett Mower (Glenwood) and McKinley Robbins (Greene County). Gambrell (174 pounds) and Mower (heavyweight) are both listed in the probables.

At Oregon State, wrestling is becoming a marquee sport. In the team's two home events last year, they drew 10,481 fans in total (8,540 vs. Penn State). Oregon State was fifth in attendance as a result above programs like Michigan and Ohio State, meaning the Hawkeyes should wrestle in a tough environment once again.

Two key matchups to watch between Iowa and Oregon State

125 pounds: Joey Cruz vs. No. 27 Maximo Renteria
197 pounds:No. 1 Stephen Buchanan vs. No. 5 (Flowrestling) Trey Munoz

For Cruz, this is a moment for him to seize his role if he wants it. Renteria wrestled in just three duals and an open last year but won all six of his matches. That includes a win over eventual national champion Richard Figueroa (9-5 decision). A win tonight could see Cruz get an extended run at 125, whereas a loss likely puts Petersen back on the clock to get a look once he's healthy.

The marquee matchup of this dual is between Buchanan and Munoz, a two-time All-American at 184 who is bumping up to 197. A win for Buchanan continues to cement him as the top wrestler at the weight until proven otherwise.

Iowa vs. Oregon State wrestling prediction

Should the lineup for Iowa stay set, this should be a solid win for the Hawkeyes. In seven of the 10 bouts, they are heavy favorites with unknowns on Cruz and Block, and a big top-five bout between Buchanan and Munoz.

Our projection is that Iowa wins nine of the 10, with Cruz being the lone wrestler to fall short against a tough Renteria.

Prediction: Iowa 39, Oregon State 3

bild · Saturday at 5:14 PM