Skip to main content
Iowa
Join Now

#3 Iowa set to host Bellarmine (KY) in rare weeknight home opener

by: Tanner Lafever11/05/25TannerLafever
Angelo Ferrari three
The last time a home men's wrestling dual was held inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena, Angelo Ferrari created an indelible memory for Iowa fans with his upset of returning NCAA finalist Dustin Plott. (Photo Credit: Reece Schrader/Daily Iowan)

It’ll be an unusual, albeit welcomed sight for Iowa wrestling fans on Thursday evening.

The occasion? The third-ranked Hawkeye men’s program will begin its 2025-26 season, taking on Bellarmine (KY) inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

As best as I can tell, Iowa hasn’t wrestled a weeknight, season-opening dual/tournament event since way back on November 21, 2006.

On that date, the Hawkeyes were part of another pair of ‘firsts’ amidst an 18-15 road win over Northern Iowa.

For one, it was head coach Tom Brands’ first dual win leading the Iowa program.

Now set to embark on his 20th year at the helm, Brands has amassed another 290 dual wins (plus four NCAA and six Big Ten titles) since that night in Cedar Falls.

Those 2006-07 Hawkeyes also spoiled the dual debut of the McLeod Center, sending Panther fans home from UNI’s brand-new arena with a loss.

Almost two decades later, it’ll be Iowa playing the rare role of weeknight host.

Thursday also marks the second-ever meeting between the Hawkeyes and Bellarmine – which is led by its own Iowa wrestling alum/head coach, Ned Shuck (2000-05).

Almost a year ago, the Hawkeyes trekked to Louisville, Kentucky for the inaugural dual between the programs. And in an effort that could only be described as both ruthless and efficient, the visitors ran away with a 49-0 victory featuring just two bouts that lasted a full seven minutes.

Iowa proved a less-than-hospitable guest at Bellarmine last season, ending 8/10 matches via early termination.

As we dive into this year’s probable lineups, you’ll notice that a similar scoreline could be at play when the teams meet Thursday night.

Meet the teams

On Monday afternoon, Iowa released its first ‘probable lineup’ of the season – which, as we should all remember, can vary in its degree of accuracy from week to week.

That said, this first edition mostly tracks with what many folks have predicted we’d see to begin the 2025-26 campaign.

Returning All-Americans Drake Ayala (133), Michael Caliendo (165), Patrick Kennedy (174) and Ben Kueter (285) are all listed solo at their respective weights.

Kueter’s status is welcomed news for the Hawkeyes, after he underwent arthroscopic hip surgery this spring to deal with what had become a nagging injury.

He and Ayala are the only Hawkeyes who appear set for rematches from last year’s dual.

Ayala will look to improve upon a 14-6 major decision of Trayce Eckman. Meanwhile, Kueter may find it difficult to replicate his 0:32 pin of #31 Daulton Mayer – the lone ranked wrestler in the Bellarmine lineup.

‘Big Ben’ Kueter is back as Iowa’s starting heavyweight. (Photo Credit: Julian Hansen/Iowa City Press-Citizen)

Elsewhere for returning Hawkeyes, #3 Angelo Ferrari debuts as the full-time dude at 184 and either #32 Ryder Block or Kael Voinovich will get the nod at 149.

Block earned one of his two wins in an injury-plagued season against Bellarmine last November (a 19-4 tech. fall). Voinovich went 12-4 as a redshirting freshman.

Barring a potential Victor Voinovich III appearance at 157, the other four spots in the lineup will all be filled by newcomers.

#12 Jordan Williams (Little Rock) is the other listed option at 157.

At 125, either Rutgers transfer Dean Peterson or top recruit Leo DeLuca will get the call for their first match at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

Meanwhile, 141 and 197 will be manned by #10 Nasir Bailey (Little Rock) and #16 Massoma Endene (Wartburg) respectively.

How to watch

November 6th (Thurs) – vs. Bellarmine

  • Location: Iowa City, IA (Carver-Hawkeye Arena)
  • Time: 6:00 p.m.
  • TV/streaming: B1G+ (subscription required)
  • Radio: AM 800 KXIC, Hawkeye Radio Network, YouTube (see below)

Once again, the tried-and-true combo of Steven Grace and Mark Ironside are back to cover Iowa wrestling over the radio airwaves.

And I’ll have my usual match-by-match coverage going over on Twitter as well.

Keep an eye on

Look, this dual should not be competitive in any shape or form – just as we saw when the Hawkeye women opened their home slate this past Sunday.

Iowa should win 10/10 bouts, and just about all of them comfortably – much like it did a year ago.

But that doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty of intrigue for Hawkeye fans.

How do the four transfers look – all of whom bring athleticism (and unpredictability) to the Iowa lineup.

And after the sneak peek fans got of Angelo Ferrari last season (12 total matches), who isn’t excited to see the redshirt freshman back in his Carver domain – site of arguably Iowa’s biggest individual win of the 2024-25 regular season.

There’s no shortage of excitement among Iowa fans to see Angelo Ferrari back on the mat. (Photo Credit: Julia Hansen/Iowa City Press-Citizen)

Who makes what first impression at 149/157?

How does Kueter look – a bigger, stronger, healthier version of the guy we saw last season.

And for guys like Ayala/Caliendo/Kennedy, Iowa fans should remember that with a limited home schedule this year (just six duals) time is running out to watch these senior stalwarts compete at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

Short time

Anyway, that’ll do it for me.

Thanks as always to everyone for reading.

Enjoy Thursday evening’s home opener – wherever you may be tuning in from – and don’t forget to check back here afterwards for my recap of our first look at the third-ranked Hawkeyes.

You may also like