The Iowa State Cyclones wrestling team is one of the most prestigious programs in NCAA history. Founded in 1916, their legacy is undeniable, with eight NCAA titles and 50 athletes who have collectively won 71 individual NCAA titles. However, in recent years, the team hasn’t quite lived up to its storied past.

Currently ranked 11th in the NCAA, the Cyclones are reeling from a tough loss to Stanford. Meanwhile, their rivals, the Iowa Hawkeyes, are sitting pretty in second place, dominating the wrestling standings. As if that weren’t enough, the Cyclones have suffered another setback with the loss of a rising star.

In a disappointing turn of events, Iowa State Wrestling star Casey Swiderski is set to miss the entire 2024-25 season. Swiderski, an All-American at 149 pounds last year who finished seventh at the NCAA Championships with a 24-5 record, was poised to be a major force this season. The injury was announced by head coach Kevin Dresser, who confirmed it happened during training earlier this week.

Dresser shared the news, saying, “Casey suffered a knee injury earlier this week in practice and will have surgery tomorrow to repair that knee. He will use his redshirt for the 2024-25 season, and we look forward to his return in the spring and his final two years of eligibility.” It’s a tough break for the Cyclones, who were counting on Swiderski’s talent to help turn their wrestling season around.

One wrestling fan said, “Swiderski has been snakebitten his whole college career. Come back strong.” Casey has been plagued with injuries ever since he joined the Iowa State wrestling team. In his first year, which was 2022-23, he showed a lot of promise, beating two top-20-ranked opponents within the opening weekend. But this great start was shattered in December when he suffered a shoulder injury and couldn’t get back to his best after his return to the team.

Even last season, when he had made the All-American, his year was riddled with injuries, as he most missed of December and January through injury. Thus, while the knee injury is worse than any of the ones suffered before, it is not an anomaly. But wrestling fans were still worried about him, as they felt that he had the potential to really break through this season.

Wrestling community saddened by Casey Swiderski’s huge injury blow

Many fans from the wrestling community have sent their well wishes to Casey Swiderski, hoping for a speedy recovery. Some fans noted how unlucky Iowa State has been with injuries lately. While Swiderski’s injury is a major blow, he’s not the only one to suffer this season. Just days earlier, on November 11, the college announced that Conrad Hawley would be out indefinitely with a left shoulder injury, which he sustained during their opening win over Mississippi Valley State.

“Thus, he has also been sidelined like Casey. Who has worse injury luck than the Iowa State Cyclones? Absolutely no one,” one frustrated fan remarked. But Swiderski’s injury hits especially hard as he was in the midst of transitioning back to 141 pounds this season, a weight class he first competed in before moving up to 149 pounds last year. Now, the Cyclones will need to find a replacement in that weight class.

“Brutal news for Swiderski and the Cyclones, as he was working his way to 141 pounds. Jacob Frost and Zach Redding seem like the likely candidates to fill in the role,” one fan noted. Jacob Frost, a sophomore with a 5-1 record last season, could potentially step up to fill Swiderski’s shoes. Zach Redding, a senior with a 9-3 record last season, also appears ready to step in. Redding, who competed in both the 141 and 149 categories last year, is definitely one to watch.

Despite these potential replacements, there’s no denying that Swiderski’s injury is a massive blow to Iowa State wrestling’s season. The team has been struggling, and their recent 21-23 loss to Stanford dropped them from 6th to 11th in the rankings. Meanwhile, their crosstown rivals, the Iowa Hawkeyes, are sitting comfortably in second place—another sign of how far Iowa State has fallen this season.

“Man, that sucks. Iowa State was rolling! I wanted to see Iowa and Iowa State like the good old days! #1 and #2 and UNI in the hunt too!” one fan lamented, reflecting the stark contrast in the rivalry. Swiderski’s injury not only hurts Iowa State’s chances for a respectable finish this season but also significantly impacts his own promising career. “Damn, that blows. Hope he has a full recovery!” said another fan. It’ll be tough for Swiderski to bounce back from such a serious knee injury, but fans remain hopeful he can overcome the odds and return stronger in due time.