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Wrestling Weekend Preview: Iowa women open with trio of events

by: Tanner Lafever10/31/25TannerLafever
Reese Larramendy
Reese Larramendy will take center stage for Iowa at Saturday night's NWCA All-Star Classic. (Photo Credit: University of Iowa Athletics)

Another Iowa wrestling season is here, you guys.

I repeat: IOWA WRESTLING SEASON IS HERE.

And as such, it’s only fitting that I set the table for opening weekend.

A programming note before we begin:

I’ll have an article of this sort published a day or two before competition begins each week – from now all the way through the postseason in March.

Sometimes that will include both the men’s and women’s teams (if they’re both competing) in the same article. Other times – particularly if there’s a marquee event on tap – they may be separated into standalone previews.

Regardless, I’ll give folks the lay of the land for all that’s ahead – including schedules, TV/streaming information, and any other relevant nuggets that I can think of.

My goal each week is to get you as prepared as possible, so then all that’s left is to kick back and enjoy the wrestling.

And it’ll typically go a little something like this…

Three-piece combo on the menu for Iowa women

In a bit of twist, the Iowa men’s team won’t make its season debut until next Thursday – a home dual against Bellarmine (KY).

That leaves the Hawkeye women to carry the action by themselves in Week 1. Fortunately, they’re more than ready to pick up the slack.

In fact, their schedule demands it, as Iowa wrestlers will compete across a trio of events this Saturday/Sunday.

First up is the Luther Hill Open – where Iowa will begin its season for the second year in a row.

A total of 13 Hawkeyes will make the trip to Indianola.

Once there, they’ll face a field that includes teams ranked 14/15/17/25 in the NCAA – as well as NAIA powers like #2 Grand View (IA) and #5 William Penn (IA).

One Hawkeye who won’t be competing, however, is #2 Reese Larramendy (145).

That’s because on Saturday night she’ll be in Piscataway, New Jersey at the NWCA All-Star Classic.

Wrestling as part of an exhibition card that also includes 11 Division I men’s bouts, plus a D2 vs. D3 matchup – Larramendy will be among four women’s matches pitting top-tier NCAA/NAIA wrestlers against each other.

Her opponent is a formidable one – William Penn’s Esther Kolawole, a 2024 Olympian from Nigeria.

Turning the page to Sunday, Iowa will open its 2025-26 home slate with a matinee double-dual featuring in-state foes Central and Cornell College.

Neither should present a real test for the Hawkeyes, but with no other (indoor) home athletic events taking place on campus this weekend **Iowa Rowing will be on the river Saturday** it’s a great opportunity to support the two-time reigning national champions.

How to watch

**all times Central Standard**

Saturday, November 1st – @ Luther Hill Open

  • Location: Indianola, IA (Blake Fieldhouse – Indianola Middle School)
  • Time: 9:00 a.m. start
  • TV/streaming: Rokfin/IA Wrestle (subscription required)

Saturday, November 1st – @ NWCA All-Star Classic

  • Location: Piscataway, NJ (Jersey Mike’s Arena)
  • Time: 6:00 p.m. start
  • TV/streaming: FloWrestling (subscription required)
  • Matchup: #2 Reese Larramendy vs. NAIA #1 Esther Kolawole (William Penn)

NOTE: Larramendy is slated for the second match of the night. So, I’d recommend tuning in right at 6:00 p.m. to make sure you don’t miss her.

Sunday, November 2nd – All-Iowa Dual (Cornell College + Central College)

  • Location: Iowa City, IA (Carver-Hawkeye Arena)
  • Time: 2:00 p.m. start
  • TV/streaming: B1G+ (subscription required)
  • Radio: Hawkeye Radio Network (Steven Grace on the call)
  • Tickets available HERE

NOTE: Central and Cornell College will compete in Sunday’s first dual – starting at 2:00 p.m.

Once that has concluded, Iowa will dual Central following a 10-minute intermission.

The process will then be repeated for Iowa vs. Cornell.

Keep an eye on

As many as 26 NCAA/NAIA wrestlers ranked in the top 10 at their weight could theoretically be in the field at the Luther Hill Open – including a pair of Hawkeyes.

But without knowing whom exactly other teams will send, we’ll keep our focus squarely on the Hawkeyes for Saturday.

And in so doing, my attention is drawn immediately to 103/124/131 pounds.

At each weight, a trio of Hawkeyes are entered.

103 stands out above the rest, as returning All-Americans Sterling Dias and #2 Rianne Murphy are joined by Val Solorio – who’s dropping down from 110, where she had excellent results last season.

Dias and Murphy have traded wins in the past – with the latter owning the most recent edge. Do they meet again, or will Solorio throw a wrench in things – and in the process, her name firmly in the discussion at this new weight?

Murphy pinned Solorio in the third-place match at NCWWCs last March.

No outcome would surprise me, nor will it be conclusive as to how the next four months will play out.

(Remember, Iowa can only qualify one wrestler per weight for this year’s NCAA Championships.)

124 gives us a fascinating case of incumbent veteran vs. talented freshman.

#5 Cali Leng has defied expectations at every turn – including winning this spot outright last season and placing seventh at the national tournament. But Isabella Gonzales is both incredibly skilled and experienced beyond her young age.

This could also be the toughest weight of the tournament, so there’s no guarantee these teammates will face off.

And how about 131?

Karlee Brooks was one of the nation’s top recruits in 2024, only for her freshman season to be derailed by a variety of ailments.

Bella Williams had a similar standing as a Class of 2025 prospect.

This matchup would be fascinating given their contrasting styles.

As for the All-Star Classic on Saturday evening, what a great early barometer for Reese Larramendy.

William Penn’s Esther Kolawole isn’t just a great college opponent, but a world-class foe. And her international accolades read as such:

  • Senior Worlds = 5th in 2025, 16th in 2023, 7th in 2022, 8th in 2021
  • U23 Worlds = 3rd in 2024, 9th in 2023, 3rd in 2021

The 2024 Nigerian Olympian had a battle with Hawkeye alum Macey Kilty at U23 Worlds last year – leading 3-1 in the final minute before Kilty scored the winning takedown/pin.

Meanwhile, Larramendy lost twice to her teammate last college season – by scores of 8-1 and 12-0.

The transitive property is hardly a be-all-end-all, of course. But it’s safe to say that if Larramendy can hang with Kolawole on Saturday night it likely indicates she’s jumped levels this offseason.

And that would only be great news for the Hawkeyes.

Short time

That’s going to do it for me, folks.

You can always follow me on social media, where I’ll have constant updates throughout the weekend.

Or, if you’d prefer, check back in on Sunday evening for my full recap of the weekend that was.

At long last, we’ve finally made it back to Iowa wrestling season.

And damn does it feel good.

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