The 2024 Soldier Salute event took an unexpected turn when the highly anticipated showdown between Angelo Ferrari and Gabe Arnold at 184 lbs didn’t happen as expected. As one of the final wrestling events in the year 2024, it had the community buzzing with excitement. However, the unexpected turn not only caught everyone’s attention but also put the team’s strategy for the season in question.

While Ferrari was prepared to face his fellow Hawkeye teammate, it was revealed that Arnold wouldn’t be competing in the event,

owing to a medical forfeit. As the wrestling community speculated, the focus shifted towards Iowa’s strategic decisions at the 184 lbs weight class. Analysts and fans eagerly awaited the team’s strategy, curious to see how the team would navigate this scenario.

In a recent video shared by FloWrestling on X, a wrestling expert provided insight into Iowa’s current strategy. The expert highlighted that the tactical decision is to potentially preserve Angelo Ferrari’s eligibility for future seasons.

“He redshirted last year, and he’s there this year, and Angelo can redshirt… Iowa’s not in the title contending conversation right now,” he stated. Choosing Arnold now or reserving Ferrari later reflects Iowa’s balance of present success and future strategy. This indicated the urgency for the team to rethink their approach.

The decision to redshirt Ferrari will be beneficial for the athlete in long-term development, as this will provide him with an extra year to refine his skills crucial for his career’s trajectory. The wrestling expert commented,

“The synergy is too good with wrestling Gabe this year, and it still makes the most sense.”

“So does Angelo put you over the line to win a title this year? I don’t think so. which we don’t know. Right now, Angelo’s best win is Evan Bockman, and we have seen Gabe beat some guys,” he added. Arnold has four wins against ranked opponents, including the highest-ranked win over Will Feldkamp. This highlights that Arnold’s performance might better serve this season’s title aspirations. However, Arnold’s withdrawal from Soldier Salute raised a lot of questions on team dynamics.

The impact of unexpected events on the team’s dynamic post Soldier Salute

In the wake of Gabe Arnold’s unexpected exit from the Soldier Salute, Coach Tom Brands‘ silence became a discussion. According to HawkFanatic, Iowa wrestling coach Tom Brands spoke with members of the media Friday. However, when he did not disclose any information about Arnold’s unexpected exit, it left the entire wrestling community frustrated. The team also shared a picture of Ferrari picking up his trophy after a swift victory on X.

Arnold’s forfeit due to a medical problem was a straight win for Ferrari over his teammate. This unexpected turn of events disappointed fans who had been eagerly anticipating the showdown. One fan stated, “So lame they didn’t wrestle.” Another shared their frustration, saying, “I hate to be the wrestling naysayer, but this was probably the most anticipated match of the weekend, and it didn’t happen. Bummer.” Wrestling is a brutal sport, but it’s the bouts on the mat that bring the real thrill. Watching Arnold and Ferrari wrestle against each other on the mat raised the fans’ excitement. They wanted to see the two go against each other, making the forfeit a disappointment.

The frustration quickly escalated, with fans directing their disappointment and blame toward the coach. Iowa’s head coach, Tom Brands, was criticized for his decision-making as one fan stated, “This is why Brands needs to go.” One fan wrote, “Thought Iowa liked tough wrestlin? Wussies.” Another fan added, “Come on, man, I just wanted to see these two go down against each other on the mat.” The Iowa City Area Sports Commission was responsible for organizing the Soldier Salute. Hence, it was their duty to make sure that the event goes smoothly. The situation opened a window for blame to directly target the University of Iowa. This added an air of mystery and speculation around the situation.

The Soldier Salute controversy has placed Iowa wrestling’s choices under the microscope, sparking debate amongst the wrestling community. While Arnold’s medical forfeit introduced speculations, Ferrari’s redshirt decision means gains in the longer run. Will these choices lead Iowa to the results they are aiming for?