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#1 Iowa set for historic (and high-powered) Sunday home duals

by: Tanner Lafever7 hours agoTannerLafever

On Sunday afternoon, the Iowa women’s wrestling program will host a pair of duals at historic Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

And if you can believe it, a top five showdown between the #1 Hawkeyes (3-0) and #5 Colorado Mesa (3-0) isn’t even the headliner.

That’s because Sunday marks the first-ever (women’s) matchup between Iowa and Oklahoma State. And it’ll hopefully be just the start of a burgeoning rivalry – much like the one wrestling fans have witnessed on the men’s side combine for 59 NCAA team titles featuring countless all-time great athletes and coaches.

When news of this forthcoming meeting emerged two months ago, I wrote at length about its significance to each of Iowa, Oklahoma State and women’s wrestling as a whole.

And while the Cowgirls (club) program has still yet to officially declare its pursuit of Division I varsity status – it continues to behave in such a manner as to suggest that’s its ultimate destination so long as the momentum keeps rolling.

Here’s hoping the Hawkeyes and Mavericks (Colorado Mesa) can play a part in that effort by contributing in their own ways to a great event this weekend.

Because a full-fledged varsity program at Oklahoma State wouldn’t just be good for the Cowgirls, it’d be great for the entire sport – including Iowa.

How to watch

December 7 (Sun) – #5 Colorado Mesa + Oklahoma State (club)

  • Iowa City, IA (Carver-Hawkeye Arena)
  • Time: 2:00 p.m. CT start (CMU/OKST first, IA/CMU next, IA/OKST last)
  • TV/streaming: B1G+
  • Radio: Hawkeye Radio Network, YouTube (see below)

In terms of Sunday’s viewing schedule, the two visitors will lead things off at 2:00 p.m. – per Iowa’s digital program.

Following Colorado Mesa/Oklahoma State, there will be a 10-minute intermission. Then, Iowa squares off with the Mavericks.

(Remember, freestyle duals run quick – so don’t mess around getting to the arena, even if you just want to watch the Hawkeyes.)

And after one more 10-minute intermission, Iowa and Oklahoma State will take the mat for their historic first dual.

What to watch for – Colorado Mesa

Simply put, the Mavericks – under head coach Travis Mercado – have been one of the more consistent, upper-echelon programs in the sport since the start of the decade.

A perennial top five contending team at the national tournament, this year’s squad is no different.

CMU boasts a half dozen ranked wrestlers in its lineup, plus another who just dropped out of the top 10:

  • #8 Mia Zuniga (103)
  • #9 Adriana Gomez (110)
  • #6 Isabella Morales (117)
  • #2 Lorianna Piestewa (124)
  • Hania Halverson (131)
  • #6 Gretchen Donally (145)
  • #4 Jayleen Sekona (207)

Piestewa – a reigning U20 World Team Trials champion – will be a sizable favorite over whomever Iowa puts out at 124.

Meanwhile, both Gomez (110) and Halverson (131) nearly knocked off highly-ranked Hawkeyes at the Missouri Valley Open two weeks ago.

A last-second takedown was all that prevented then-top-ranked Ava Bayless from surviving against Gomez, 6-5. And Halverson was inches away from pinning eventual champion – and newly minted #1 in the country – Karlee Brooks.

Potential rematches at either weight would make for some compelling viewing on Sunday. And previous All-Americans Zuniga (103), Morales (117) and Sekona (207) aren’t about to lie down for the home team either.

In the end, Iowa’s depth and talent will likely prevail via a comfortable margin. However, the Mavericks aren’t trekking to Iowa City as some tomato can resigned to taking a beating before they fly back to Grand Junction, CO.

What to watch for – Oklahoma State

When it comes to Oklahoma State, Iowa (and perhaps Colorado Mesa) should handle the Cowgirls with relative ease.

Because although the burgeoning Stillwater club is rising fast, it probably lacks the depth and overall talent to compete with most top NCAA programs as of today.

That isn’t to say there isn’t talent, however – as evidenced by last year’s fifth-ranked recruiting class according to FloWrestling.

Daniella Nugent (145) beat Iowa’s Cadence Diduch in a best-of-three final to make the 2025 U20 World team – then finished a win shy of bronze in Bulgaria a few months later.

The Cowgirls also have Iowa native, Molly Allen, already making her mark at 124 pounds.

The four-time, undefeated state champion for Riverside-Oakdale arrived in Stillwater with elite credentials to her name as well – including Fargo/Super 32 titles and a #4 national ranking.

Allen has already won two open tournaments this season and finished seventh at the prestigious Missouri Valley Open – where one of her two losses came via fall to Iowa freshman Isabella Gonzales.

The Cowgirls also have promising athletes like three-time Fargo All-American Kailey Benson (131) now plying their trade under a coaching staff that includes the following:

  • Two-time NCAA men’s All-American Izzak Olejnik (head coach)
  • Two-time NCWWC women’s national champion Amani Jones (assistant coach)
  • Five-time NCAA men’s national championship head coach and six-time World/Olympic champion John Smith (volunteer assistant)

Again, Iowa should win this dual with plenty of room to spare. But far more important than that is what this matchup’s very existence could symbolize for the future of the women’s college wrestling.

And in short time, who’s to say Hawkeyes/Cowgirls won’t rival the titanic clashes the men have staged for so many years?

I know I’d sure as heck love to see it.

Short time

As usual, you can follow along with my live coverage of the action on social media if you choose.

I’ll be in the building at Carver-Hawkeye Arena – marking the first time I’ve seen the Iowa women compete this season at a venue other than a World War II aircraft carrier.

And for a full recap of things post-dual(s), check back at Hawkeye Report for my wrap-up story, as well as press conference footage of head coach Clarissa Chun and select Hawkeyes.

Thanks again to everyone for reading. Enjoy the wrestling on Sunday and I’ll talk to you again real soon.

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