Iowa Finishes 4th at Big Ten Wrestling Championships

Hawkeyes qualify 9 wrestlers for NCAA Championships in Cleveland

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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The University of Iowa men's wrestling team finished fourth at the 2026 Big Ten Championships at the Bryce Jordan Center. Seven Hawkeyes finished on the podium, and Iowa qualified nine of 10 weights for the NCAA Championships in Cleveland.

Why it matters

Iowa has sent at least nine wrestlers to the national tournament for 14 straight years, showcasing the program's consistent excellence. The Big Ten is one of the toughest wrestling conferences, so a fourth-place finish is a strong result for the Hawkeyes.

The details

The Hawkeyes won three placement matches, with Drake Ayala (133 lbs), Nasir Bailey (141 lbs), and Dean Peterson (125 lbs) all finishing third in their respective weight classes. Patrick Kennedy (174 lbs) and Ben Kueter (285 lbs) finished fourth. Iowa's lone finalist, Michael Caliendo (165 lbs), dropped his championship match.

  • The 2026 Big Ten Championships took place at the Bryce Jordan Center in State College, Pennsylvania.
  • The NCAA Championships will be held in Cleveland, starting on Thursday.

The players

Tom Brands

Head coach of the University of Iowa men's wrestling team.

Michael Caliendo

Iowa wrestler who finished as the runner-up at 165 pounds.

Mitchell Mesenbrink

Penn State wrestler who won the 165-pound championship.

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What they’re saying

“'Nine in for Cleveland,' said head coach Tom Brands. 'We will see what our seeds are. Wait on Victor Voinovich. Thoughts on the tournament are some good coming back strong today. We want to be on the championship side of things; these guys want to be on the championship side of things. We have work to do to do that. The work will start on Thursday in Cleveland. Thursday, Friday, Saturday.'”

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

What’s next

The NCAA Championships will be held in Cleveland, starting on Thursday, March 20, 2026.

The takeaway

Iowa's consistent success in qualifying wrestlers for the NCAA Championships is a testament to the program's strength and the dedication of the coaching staff and athletes. The Hawkeyes will look to build on their fourth-place Big Ten finish and make a strong showing at the national tournament in Cleveland.