The Big 12 returned to action in a big way, with teams having success at the Midlands and Southern Scuffle. West Virginia continues to look like one of the most improved teams in the country with a program record Midlands performance. Missouri kicked off 2024 dual action with a superb back-and-fo.
Luft won a state title for Charles City at the inaugural Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union sanctioned wrestling championships held here in February. Now, she’s part of Iowa in its first official season of women’s competition – the first by a Power-5 institution. Luft earned a spot in the 136-pound finals of the second annual Soldier Salute.
Patrick Kennedy returned from injury and filled in at 174 pounds in Iowa men’s wrestling duals before the holiday break. He looked strong at 165, reaching the semifinals at the Soldier Salute Friday at Xtream Arena in Coralville.
This week saw most of the attention go to CKLV, while some great duals occurred as well. Iowa State ended up winning the tournament with seven on the podium, while Oklahoma State and South Dakota State made the top ten as well. Northern Iowa and Wyoming both had some individual under-the-radar pe.