Toggle sidebar

PREVIEW: Trio of past/present Hawkeyes set for Final X wrestle-offs on Friday

T

Tanner Lafever

All-American
Jan 4, 2024
2,355
9,254
113
Published my preview for Friday’s Final X action in Ohio - at which returning World bronze medalists Kennedy Blades, Kylie Welker and Real Woods will wrestle for a spot on Team USA’s 2026 squad:

www.on3.com

Hawkeye trio set for delayed Final X wrestle-offs, Friday in Ohio

This Friday, more than three months after being granted medical delays for their respective Final X series, a trio of Hawkeyes will finally wrestle for
www.on3.com www.on3.com

Of note: there has been some chatter that Blades might get the women’s 68kg spot without contesting her series vs former Hawkeye Bella Mir - but that’s yet to be confirmed.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Nashville_Hawk and owensj02
S

sdvike

All-Conference
Feb 23, 2016
1,234
2,715
113
Bella is very good but I don't see how she would ever beat Blades outside of injury default. So, Im guessing Blades is deciding if she wants to compete both u23s and senior level.
 
S

sdvike

All-Conference
Feb 23, 2016
1,234
2,715
113
Any confirmation on whether Blades vs Mir goes down or not?
Im taking:
Blades in 2 if not by forfeit.
Welker in 3
Bassett in 3
 
T

Tanner Lafever

All-American
Jan 4, 2024
2,355
9,254
113
Official from USA Wrestling:



Weird situation that I still haven’t heard the definitive reason behind - but Blades makes her second World Team without contesting a domestic match this year, and Mir apparently gets the U23 spot.
 
  • Like
Reactions: owensj02 and Squatch96
T

Tanner Lafever

All-American
Jan 4, 2024
2,355
9,254
113
Welker wins Bout 1, 4-1 - controlling all of the early action before Guilford finally started to engage in the latter stages.

Woods loses the opener, 8-4 - scoring the first and last two points of the bout, though Bassett controlled the majority of the match.
 
  • Like
Reactions: BroncHawk
B

blcoach80

All-Conference
Feb 24, 2018
367
1,940
93
vhsalum said:
Bo Bassett on the senior world team…

Le sigh
Click to expand...
I get why we lost him, but man that one hurts. Kid is a stud and wrestles just like Tom and Terry did. Was a perfect Iowa fit and I would be shocked if he doesn't win multiple titles in both folk and freestyle over the next couple years. Really going to sting if he helps VT catch the Hawks. We just can't seem to catch a break lately.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Anon1746362370, Natchrlman2, HawkeyeInOlathe and 8 others
A

Anon1771119513

Freshman
Feb 14, 2026
29
74
13
blcoach80 said:
I get why we lost him, but man that one hurts. Kid is a stud and wrestles just like Tom and Terry did. Was a perfect Iowa fit and I would be shocked if he doesn't win multiple titles in both folk and freestyle over the next couple years. Really going to sting if he helps VT catch the Hawks. We just can't seem to catch a break lately.
Click to expand...
.....when they catch the Hawks?
 
  • Like
Reactions: Nashville_Hawk and sdvike
dtripp26

dtripp26

Heisman
Oct 29, 2003
11,060
32,828
113
blcoach80 said:
I get why we lost him, but man that one hurts. Kid is a stud and wrestles just like Tom and Terry did. Was a perfect Iowa fit and I would be shocked if he doesn't win multiple titles in both folk and freestyle over the next couple years. Really going to sting if he helps VT catch the Hawks. We just can't seem to catch a break lately.
Click to expand...
Doctor Who Reaction GIF
 
  • Haha
  • Like
Reactions: Natchrlman2, Stick Kitty, Born Hawkeye and 2 others
Nashville_Hawk

Nashville_Hawk

All-Conference
Dec 31, 2015
807
2,152
93
blcoach80 said:
I get why we lost him, but man that one hurts. Kid is a stud and wrestles just like Tom and Terry did. Was a perfect Iowa fit and I would be shocked if he doesn't win multiple titles in both folk and freestyle over the next couple years. Really going to sting if he helps VT catch the Hawks. We just can't seem to catch a break lately.
Click to expand...
Between you and me I think VT already caught the Hawks. It’s going to be a tight race for 4th through 7th at NCAAs. Hoping we can stay healthy and our fellas can show up and do damage at NCAAs!
 
  • Like
Reactions: blcoach80, WS_Cop, AndreTheHawk and 1 other person
Mattski

Mattski

All-Conference
Apr 21, 2022
1,189
3,272
113
blcoach80 said:
I get why we lost him, but man that one hurts. Kid is a stud and wrestles just like Tom and Terry did. Was a perfect Iowa fit and I would be shocked if he doesn't win multiple titles in both folk and freestyle over the next couple years. Really going to sting if he helps VT catch the Hawks. We just can't seem to catch a break lately.
Click to expand...
Unfortunately this will be the defining moment in the end of the Brands era. All bc we couldn't figure out how to better manage a training situation with some difficult parents. He's going to be a multi time champion and even more so a program and team changer bc of his style. He's exactly what the program needed. Yeah I'm still pissed and it's going to sting even more when he's winning titles and elevating VT.
 
  • Like
  • Sad
Reactions: KinnickNorthman, vhsalum, honkey69honkey69 and 9 others
T

TarpHawk1

All-Conference
Jul 6, 2025
111
1,254
93
blcoach80 said:
I get why we lost him, but man that one hurts. Kid is a stud and wrestles just like Tom and Terry did. Was a perfect Iowa fit and I would be shocked if he doesn't win multiple titles in both folk and freestyle over the next couple years. Really going to sting if he helps VT catch the Hawks. We just can't seem to catch a break lately.
Click to expand...
We caught a huge break--his name was Bo Bassett.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Stick Kitty, Waukhawk, WhiteDog125 and 5 others
Mattski

Mattski

All-Conference
Apr 21, 2022
1,189
3,272
113
UndercoverHawk said:
This shows you have no idea what the hang ups were. But I’m sure you’d rob the bank all because the pretty girl told you to.
Click to expand...
What we do know is the hang ups weren't anywhere close to "robbing a bank" for them. It was the type of stuff you figure out how to navigate without yelling at the recruit's mother, especially when its the type of recruit that can help rescue your flailing program. But we didn't, he's at VT, and we get to wonder what might have been for the next 4+ years.
 
  • Like
Reactions: so cal hawkfan, Waukhawk, PeterNincompoop and 2 others
dtripp26

dtripp26

Heisman
Oct 29, 2003
11,060
32,828
113
Mattski said:
What we do know is the hang ups weren't anywhere close to "robbing a bank" for them. It was the type of stuff you figure out how to navigate without yelling at the recruit's mother, especially when its the type of recruit that can help rescue your flailing program. But we didn't, he's at VT, and we get to wonder what might have been for the next 4+ years.
Click to expand...
2029 🙏
 
U

UndercoverHawk

Senior
Dec 16, 2015
249
956
93
Mattski said:
What we do know is the hang ups weren't anywhere close to "robbing a bank" for them. It was the type of stuff you figure out how to navigate without yelling at the recruit's mother, especially when it’s the type of recruit that can help rescue your flailing program. But we didn't, he's at VT, and we get to wonder what might have been for the next 4+ years.
Click to expand...
One of the things was illegal…
 
  • Like
  • Haha
Reactions: PeterNincompoop and sdvike
S

sdvike

All-Conference
Feb 23, 2016
1,234
2,715
113
Nashville_Hawk said:
Sucks! Really need 74, 84, and HWT to make the finals…and it would be great to see Ferrari win it all. I thing BK and AF have a real chance…and Gabe a decent chance of making the finals.
Click to expand...
Would be nice. With Gabe, would need to be on other side of bracket from MM like with all the other 74s. I do think Gabe might be able to slow down MM a bit more than Cali but he isn't beating him.
 
azchief32

azchief32

All-Conference
Dec 20, 2012
10,038
1,400
113
WS_Cop said:
Care to remind those of us who have been overly busy and unable to keep up as much as we'd like to? I heard a number of things but I don't remember a confirmation
Click to expand...

Bo wanted to come train at Iowa like Jax Forrest did at Oklahoma State. At the time, the RTC training rules were such that we couldn't bring in recruits to train that lived more than 250 miles away. Although this was a USA wrestling rule, universities had to abide by it via their compliance departments. Well at least some did. When called out about it, USA wrestling said F it and scrapped the 250 mile rule rather than punish those who ignored the rule. Now, Iowa can host recruits to train.
 
  • Like
Reactions: vhsalum, Natchrlman2, T8KUDWN and 9 others
Nashville_Hawk

Nashville_Hawk

All-Conference
Dec 31, 2015
807
2,152
93
sdvike said:
Would be nice. With Gabe, would need to be on other side of bracket from MM like with all the other 74s. I do think Gabe might be able to slow down MM a bit more than Cali but he isn't beating him.
Click to expand...
Concur. Making the finals would be huge but the only person making the finals on MM’s side of the bracket is MM.
 
  • Like
Reactions: sdvike
W

WS_Cop

Junior
Jul 9, 2025
78
205
33
azchief32 said:
Bo wanted to come train at Iowa like Jax Forrest did at Oklahoma State. At the time, the RTC training rules were such that we couldn't bring in recruits to train that lived more than 250 miles away. Although this was a USA wrestling rule, universities had to abide by it via their compliance departments. Well at least some did. When called out about it, USA wrestling said F it and scrapped the 250 mile rule rather than punish those who ignored the rule. Now, Iowa can host recruits to train.
Click to expand...
So the talk about his father wanting more involvement and say than was reasonable, was that just rumor? Or a contributing factor in addition to what you said?
 
T

Tiltman

All-Conference
Sep 14, 2012
219
1,091
93
So he couldn’t come train on campus, was the downfall? If only our coaches wouldn’t of burnt the bridge with the local big club coach a simple call like “hey can Bo, Lee, and Desanto swing over from time to time and get some training in?” Or maybe to City Highs former hawk coach Cory Connell? I would assume if it’s outside of the RTC room there’s not much anyone could’ve done as far as breaking any rules. I’m also guessing thinking outside the box to make this work out wasn’t applied.
 
  • Haha
  • Like
Reactions: Mattski and Trakker
S

sdvike

All-Conference
Feb 23, 2016
1,234
2,715
113
Tiltman said:
So he couldn’t come train on campus, was the downfall? If only our coaches wouldn’t of burnt the bridge with the local big club coach a simple call like “hey can Bo, Lee, and Desanto swing over from time to time and get some training in?” Or maybe to City Highs former hawk coach Cory Connell? I would assume if it’s outside of the RTC room there’s not much anyone could’ve done as far as breaking any rules. I’m also guessing thinking outside the box to make this work out wasn’t applied.
Click to expand...
He could have worked around Compliance Dept but good chance he doesn't coach at Iowa anymore.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Nashville_Hawk and HawkeyeInOlathe
Fatwoodchuck

Fatwoodchuck

Senior
Oct 19, 2023
541
805
93
WS_Cop said:
So the talk about his father wanting more involvement and say than was reasonable, was that just rumor? Or a contributing factor in addition to what you said?
Click to expand...
Yes his dad coaches him and enjoys it, im sure. NoI really dont think any of that was very true. Just people poking fun because of the situation.
 
Stick Kitty

Stick Kitty

All-Conference
Jul 7, 2025
514
1,348
93
azchief32 said:
Bo wanted to come train at Iowa like Jax Forrest did at Oklahoma State. At the time, the RTC training rules were such that we couldn't bring in recruits to train that lived more than 250 miles away. Although this was a USA wrestling rule, universities had to abide by it via their compliance departments. Well at least some did. When called out about it, USA wrestling said F it and scrapped the 250 mile rule rather than punish those who ignored the rule. Now, Iowa can host recruits to train.
Click to expand...

My issue is when that rule changed Iowa wasn't in a place to then re recruit Bo back since the bridge was blown the F up beyond repair. Looking back, was it worth it for Brands to escalate it to that extent?
 
  • Like
Reactions: Praguehawk
You must log in or register to reply here.
Hawkeye Report

Latest

  1. 01 Rivals Football Recruiting Intel: Iowa hosting several Rivals300 recruits for the Ohio State game
  2. 02 Hawkeye Report Olympics '28 LHP/OF Henry Heller announces top five, talks Iowa visit
  3. 03 Hawkeye Report Football Iose Epenesa looks to get Iowa pass rush going
  4. 04 Hawkeye Report Football Trevor Lauck talks Iowa's ground game
  5. 05 Hawkeye Report Football Iowa football players presser news and notes
Top Bottom