Iowa Wrestlers Shine at NCAA Finals

Hawkeyes crown four more All-Americans as Michael Caliendo advances to championship bout

Mar. 21, 2026 at 3:11pm

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The University of Iowa wrestling team had a strong showing at the 2026 NCAA Championships in Cleveland, with Michael Caliendo (165) advancing to the finals and four additional Hawkeyes earning All-America honors. Iowa sits fourth in the team standings with 81 points.

Why it matters

The NCAA Wrestling Championships are one of the most prestigious events in collegiate sports, and Iowa's performance highlights the strength of their wrestling program. The Hawkeyes' success not only brings pride to the university and its fans, but also showcases the talent and hard work of the student-athletes.

The details

Caliendo, the No. 3 seed at 165 pounds, avenged a regular season loss to No. 2 seed Joey Blaze of Purdue, winning 8-5 in sudden victory to earn a spot in Saturday night's championship bout. He will face top-seeded Mitchell Mesenbrink of Penn State in the finals. Additionally, Drake Ayala (133), Ryder Block (149), Gabe Arnold (197), and Ben Kueter (285) all won their blood-round matches to secure All-America honors for the Hawkeyes.

  • The 2026 NCAA Championships are taking place this weekend in Cleveland.
  • Session IV, where the Hawkeyes had their strong performance, was held on Friday night.

The players

Michael Caliendo

A University of Iowa wrestler competing at 165 pounds, who advanced to the NCAA finals for the second consecutive season.

Mitchell Mesenbrink

The top-seeded wrestler at 165 pounds, who Caliendo will face in the championship bout.

Drake Ayala

A University of Iowa wrestler who won his blood-round match at 133 pounds to secure All-America honors.

Ryder Block

A University of Iowa wrestler who won his blood-round match at 149 pounds to secure All-America honors.

Gabe Arnold

A University of Iowa wrestler who won his blood-round match at 197 pounds to secure All-America honors.

Ben Kueter

A University of Iowa wrestler who won his blood-round match at 285 pounds to secure All-America honors.

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What’s next

The finals matchup between Michael Caliendo and Mitchell Mesenbrink will take place on Saturday night, concluding the 2026 NCAA Wrestling Championships.

The takeaway

Iowa's strong performance at the NCAA Wrestling Championships showcases the depth and talent of their wrestling program, which continues to be one of the best in the country. The Hawkeyes' success not only brings pride to the university, but also highlights the hard work and dedication of their student-athletes.