NEW article: Gabe Arnold reportedly back/still with Iowa wrestling program

[Tanner Lafever]

Just getting back/settled in from a family reunion/vacation, so I know this story has probably been bandied about plenty in this forum already.

But yes, Gabe Arnold is reportedly back/still with the Iowa wrestling program entering 2025-26.

K.J. Pilcher of The Gazette had the first story with actual comment from U of I officials yesterday, and as I wrote here on Hawkeye Report - it was an odd bit of contradiction/semantics as compared to the previous story of his departure at the end of June.

Regardless, I broke down this reversal of events in a few hundred words or so, including several of the tea leaves that were dropped along the way:

Turns out, Gabe Arnold will wrestle for Iowa in 2025-26 after all - On3

 

[Dean111!]

Just getting back/settled in from a family reunion/vacation, so I know this story has probably been bandied about plenty in this forum already.

But yes, Gabe Arnold is reportedly back/still with the Iowa wrestling program entering 2025-26.

K.J. Pilcher of The Gazette had the first story with actual comment from U of I officials yesterday, and as I wrote here on Hawkeye Report - it was an odd bit of contradiction/semantics as compared to the previous story of his departure at the end of June.

Regardless, I broke down this reversal of events in a few hundred words or so, including several of the tea leaves that were dropped along the way:

Turns out, Gabe Arnold will wrestle for Iowa in 2025-26 after all - On3

Reading the linked article(s) regarding Gabe Arnold. What gibberish, drivel, claptrap, et al. Arnold’s issues, the University of Iowa’s wrestling program issues are never identified, nor are they even considered/discussed in these commentaries.

Four minutes to read both of these obscurities/analyses and the reader is certainly less informed, and more puzzled about the real issue(s) involved in the current Gabe Arnold babble. Annoyed, or just Grumpy?

 

[just_somebody]

Reading the linked article(s) regarding Gabe Arnold. What gibberish, drivel, claptrap, et al. Arnold’s issues, the University of Iowa’s wrestling program issues are never identified, nor are they even considered/discussed in these commentaries.

Four minutes to read both of these obscurities/analyses and the reader is certainly less informed, and more puzzled about the real issue(s) involved in the current Gabe Arnold babble. Annoyed, or just Grumpy?

I vote just grumpy.

IIRC correctly, somebody got mad at Kyle previously for not dabbling more in reporting rumors, but I believe he fancies himself an actual journalist, not an content creator a la Mineo and Smalls. As such, its appropriate for him to only report on what he can substantiate.

If you want the rumors, there is plenty of info in the threads. But the summary is that Gabe wasn't doing what he needed to in terms of training and lifestyle, the coaches called him out, and Gabe seems to seen the light. Actually pretty refreshing

 

[Tanner Lafever]

Reading the linked article(s) regarding Gabe Arnold. What gibberish, drivel, claptrap, et al. Arnold’s issues, the University of Iowa’s wrestling program issues are never identified, nor are they even considered/discussed in these commentaries.

Four minutes to read both of these obscurities/analyses and the reader is certainly less informed, and more puzzled about the real issue(s) involved in the current Gabe Arnold babble. Annoyed, or just Grumpy?

Appreciate the feedback.

I understand the frustration over the lack of clarity around the Arnold story. I share some of that frustration given what an odd ordeal the entire thing has been.

If you're so inclined, there is more 'information' out there regarding what may/may not have led to this sequence of events, but as has always been my approach here covering wrestling, I'm usually not going to indulge in much of the rumors/hearsay (even when I believe it may be true) unless I can personally verify the content and/or implicitly trust the source of the information.

In some instances, that might mean I'm later to share/discuss certain developments that may already be swirling out in the Iowa wrestling ether, but I'd rather go about things in that manner rather than jumping the gun on every little morsel and hoping I don't get burned if it doesn't pan out.

Now, as for your comment that "the University of Iowa's wrestling program issues are never identified, nor are they even considered/discussed in these commentaries" perhaps you didn't catch the pseudo 'state of the program' article that I published about a month ago.

That's a pretty deep dive that identifies what I believe to be Iowa's biggest issues at present as it seeks to regularly compete for national titles.

Or, if you're a glutton for further punishment, you can always go back and read my recap from last year's Penn State dual.

Point being, I do think there's quite a bit of consideration/discussion here on Hawkeye Report as it pertains to Iowa wrestling's flaws/issues - be they smaller or bigger picture in nature. Not to mention there are plenty of other folks besides myself in the threads/forums who bring up their own insightful critiques as well.

Hopefully you'll manage to start locating more of those stories/settings on the site so that our wrestling coverage can be as comprehensive as you're hoping for.

 

[Rick Honcho]

Nice attempt to hijack the other Arnold thread on here that has been keeping up with this story for a few weeks now

 

[Tanner Lafever]

Nice attempt to hijack the other Arnold thread on here that has been keeping up with this story for a few weeks now

I post a new thread for every new article that I write - both in the wrestling forum and the Swarm Lounge. Always have, always will.

Nobody is trying to ‘hijack’ anything.

In fact, the very first sentence of this thread included the following caveat:

“I know this story has probably been bandied about plenty in this forum already.”

 

[bnicolls]

Buddy, I post a new thread for every new article that I write - both in the wrestling forum and the Swarm Lounge. Always have, always will.

Nobody is trying to ‘hijack’ anything.

In fact, the very first sentence of this thread included the following caveat:

“I know this story has probably been bandied about plenty in this forum already.”

It's summer and all the tourney's are over, no news and people need to create some.

A lot of people: worked hard, are working hard, will be working hard with Gabe. We all are trying to do what is best for him. My advice if you are not in this group is pray for him and us to keep him moving in the right direction......wrestling and living.

 

[UNIHawk]

Iowa wrestling will keep NCAA qualifier, Iowa City High grad Gabe Arnold to stay on roster

NCAA qualifier and Iowa City High grad Gabe Arnold will stay on the Iowa wrestling roster.

www.hawkcentral.com