#7 Iowa men's wrestlers come from behind to defeat #10 Michigan 19-17

Hawkeyes rally with technical falls at 133 and 165 pounds to win close dual meet

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The seventh-ranked University of Iowa wrestling team defeated No. 10 Michigan, 19-17, on Friday night at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Iowa and Michigan split the matches 5-5, but Iowa got technical falls at 133 and 165 pounds, which proved to be the difference. The Hawkeyes had 18 takedowns to Michigan's 10 and outscored the Wolverines in total match points, 67-58.

Why it matters

This was an important Big Ten dual meet between two highly ranked wrestling programs. The come-from-behind victory for Iowa shows the team's resilience and ability to win close matches, which will be crucial as they look to make a deep run in the postseason.

The details

Iowa trailed 13-7 at one point, but rallied with technical fall wins from Michael Caliendo at 165 pounds and Drake Ayala at 133 pounds to secure the victory. The Hawkeyes also got key wins from Gabe Arnold at 184 pounds and Harvey Ludington at 197 pounds.

  • The dual meet took place on Friday, February 13, 2026 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.

The players

Tom Brands

Head coach of the University of Iowa wrestling team.

Michael Caliendo

Iowa wrestler who won a technical fall at 165 pounds.

Drake Ayala

Iowa wrestler who won a technical fall at 133 pounds to clinch the dual meet victory for the Hawkeyes.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“It is important to the team. Those are five-point wins, each of them. There was never a question like, oh, I'm going to feel it out and see if this guy is going to crack or not. It was foot on the gas, smart wrestling, foot on the gas. They just went out and got the tech fall.”

— Tom Brands, Head Coach (1630kcjj.com)

“It was awesome. I've never felt anything like that. Obviously, in high school in Jersey you have a big arena for state and stuff, but nothing like Carver. Hearing everyone yelling as one big noise is awesome.”

— Harvey Ludington, Iowa Wrestler (1630kcjj.com)

“You have to focus on your match, but then again you're in the arena; you know what is going on. But I knew if I just wrestled my match, I knew what I was capable of. It is a little of both, a little bit staying in your match but also having a little more energy than normal.”

— Drake Ayala, Iowa Wrestler (1630kcjj.com)

What’s next

The Hawkeyes will look to build on this big win as they continue their Big Ten schedule and prepare for the postseason tournaments.

The takeaway

Iowa's ability to rally from behind and secure bonus point wins in key matches shows the team's depth and resilience, which will serve them well as they aim for a high finish in the Big Ten and NCAA championships.