#2 Iowa Dominates #10 Illinois in Wrestling Dual

IOWA CITY, Iowa — The second-ranked University of Iowa wrestling team extended its dominance over No. 10 Illinois with a commanding 7-3 victory on Friday, January 17, at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The Hawkeyes won seven of the 10 matches, showcasing their depth and skill in front of a sold-out crowd.

The dual began with a strong performance from Iowa’s Cruz, who secured a 12-3 victory over Illinois’ Riley in the 125-pound weight class. Cruz’s aggressive takedowns and strategic defense set the tone for the Hawkeyes. “Cruz came out with a plan and executed it perfectly,” said Iowa head coach Tom Brands. “He controlled the match from start to finish.”

Iowa’s Ayala followed with a hard-fought 4-2 win over Illinois’ Byrd in the 133-pound match. Ayala’s late takedown in the third period sealed the victory, further extending Iowa’s lead. The Hawkeyes continued their momentum as Pucino edged out a 4-3 win over Block in the 141-pound division, despite a late charge from the Illinois wrestler.

Illinois managed to secure three victories, including a notable win by Kannon Webster over Iowa’s Kyle Parco in the 149-pound match. However, Iowa’s strength in the heavier weight classes proved decisive. Michael Caliendo, Patrick Kennedy, and Stephen Buchanan all secured wins, with Buchanan, the top-ranked 197-pounder, delivering a dominant performance to close out the dual.

The victory marked Iowa’s 13th consecutive win over Illinois, continuing a streak that dates back to 2006. The Hawkeyes now hold a 56-26-1 all-time series lead against the Fighting Illini. “This is a rivalry we take seriously,” said Brands. “Our guys showed up ready to compete, and it paid off.”

Iowa’s next challenge comes on January 25, when they host Ohio State in another highly anticipated Big Ten matchup. The dual will be televised live on the Big Ten Network, with coverage beginning at 1 p.m. CT.