The 2024-25 NCAA wrestling season has been a blast for the fans. Many teams have been performing really well, and this list includes the Iowa Hawkeyes. However, the team did have its challenges coming to their latest match against the Ohio State Buckeyes. And how did they do? Despite the Hawkeyes missing out on one of their star players in the 133-pound division, they still emerged as a winner with a score of 24-13. But what about their next match? It is against the Penn State.

The Penn State Nittany Lions just go by their name when it comes to a bout on the mat. Indeed, their dominance in NCAA Division 1 has made them a formidable competitor, even for a team like the Hawkeyes. The Bryce Jordan Center will be greeted with a ton of action, and heading into a big match, the Hawkeyes’ coach is hopeful of the return of their star wrestler, who didn’t wrestle against the Buckeyes.

So, who is this wrestler everyone is talking about? Drake Ayala has been a key part of the roster of the Iowa Hawkeyes. Indeed, last year’s 125-pound runner-up got caught up with an upper extremity injury, which has always been a nightmare for wrestlers. Even though his team didn’t announce this particular information anywhere on social media, the news eventually got out in no time when he wasn’t seen on the roster of the Hawkeyes against the Buckeyes.

As reported by Eli McKown on X, the Iowa Hawkeyes’ head coach, Tom Brands, addressed the absence of Ayala, stating, “When he’s ready, he will be in that lineup. I think he’ll be in the lineup.” Indeed, he is hopeful that their 133-pound junior will make a big return during the Hawkeyes match against Penn State. They know the stakes of the match and that Iowa will need its best fighters.

Even if Ayala is present at the match against Penn State, who will he be facing? It will be Braeden Davis, and to give the Hawkeyes their revenge from last year, the 133-pound junior will have to emerge victorious. But did Brands speak anything more about his wrestler? “So I’m speaking for him a little bit … But here’s the thing, I’m just going to leave it at that. I’m private. I mean, our team is better with him in the lineup, and today, the right call was to have him not go in the lineup,” said the Iowa head coach, focusing on the strategy of his team.

Brands have kept his star boy for the major event. Indeed, he wanted him to be fully ready for their match against Penn State, as he didn’t want to give his opponents any chances on the mat. While Ayala wasn’t in the team, the Hawkeyes did have a bit of trouble but still managed to secure the victory, and it was another win in their bag for the season.

Iowa thrashes Ohio State before the match against Penn State

Surely, the Iowa Hawkeyes prevailed over the Ohio State Buckeyes 24-13, and it was an intense match that the crowd at the Carver-Hawkeye Arena enjoyed a lot. While the Hawkeyes performed well, at some point they required a push from a few wrestlers from their side, who contributed on a larger scale to this particular victory.

Their names? Gabe Arnold secured his 4-1 overtime win over No. 19 Ryder Rogotzke in the 184-pound, and this was the victory that gave back the Hawkeyes their lead in the match. Furthermore, an 18-1 technical fall from Stephen Buchanan over No. 17 Seth Schumate was game-changing for the team in black singlets.

However, how did Keyan Hernandez perform? Indeed, the eyes were on him as he was present instead of Drake Ayala, but he didn’t perform to what many expected as he lost against Ben Davino, who won 19-4. After all the bouts on the mat, 24-13 was the final score, and with this, the Iowa Hawkeyes secured one more victory in the NCAA and will be readying themselves for their next match against Penn State.