Iowa Crowns Seven All-Americans on Day Two of NCAA Wrestling Championships

Hawkeyes sit fourth in team standings after strong performance in Cleveland

Mar. 21, 2026 at 9:04am

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The Iowa Hawkeyes wrestling team crowned seven All-Americans on the second day of the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships in Cleveland, Ohio on Friday, March 20, 2026. The Hawkeyes currently sit fourth in the team standings with 81 points, behind Penn State (153 pts), Oklahoma State (111.5 pts), and Nebraska (90.5 pts).

Why it matters

The Hawkeyes' performance on Day Two of the NCAA Championships showcases the strength and depth of their wrestling program, which has consistently been among the nation's elite. Their ability to crown multiple All-Americans is a testament to the program's coaching, recruiting, and development of talent.

The details

Iowa 133-pounder Drake Ayala, 149-pounder Ryder Block, and 165-pounder Michael Caliendo all clinched All-American status on Friday. Caliendo will return to the 165-pound championship bout against Penn State's Mitchell Messenbrink for the second year in a row. 184-pounder Angelo Ferrari and 197-pounder Gabe Arnold also secured All-American finishes, while 125-pounder Dean Petersen and 141-pounder Nasir Bailey saw their seasons end with losses in the blood rounds.

  • The NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships are taking place from March 19-21, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio.
  • The second day of competition was on Friday, March 20, 2026.

The players

Iowa Hawkeyes

The wrestling team from the University of Iowa, a perennial powerhouse in college wrestling.

Drake Ayala

Iowa's 133-pound wrestler who clinched his third All-American title.

Ryder Block

Iowa's 149-pound wrestler who clinched his first All-American title as a Hawkeye.

Michael Caliendo

Iowa's 165-pound wrestler who will return to the NCAA championship bout for the second straight year.

Angelo Ferrari

Iowa's 184-pound wrestler who secured an All-American finish.

Gabe Arnold

Iowa's 197-pound wrestler who clinched his first All-American title as the No. 27 seed.

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What they’re saying

“I had him right where I wanted him.”

— Michael Caliendo

“It means everything, it means the world to me.”

— Gabe Arnold

What’s next

The Hawkeyes will complete the final day of the NCAA tournament on Saturday, March 21, 2026, where they will look to improve their team standing and crown individual champions.

The takeaway

Iowa's strong performance on Day Two of the NCAA Wrestling Championships demonstrates the program's continued excellence and ability to develop elite-level talent. The Hawkeyes' depth across weight classes positions them as a top contender for the team title heading into the final day of competition.