One of the most anticipated arch-rivals, the Iowa Hawkeyes and Penn State wrestling teams, locked horns with each other in a recent showdown. While Iowa Hawkeyes are placed in third position, Penn State reigns supreme at the team’s ranking by the NCAA Coaches Poll released earlier this season. Iowa’s Real Woods came into the match to bring himself back onto the winning path after an upset defeat against Michigan’s Sergio Lemley.

However, today’s showdown once again brought misfortune to the Hawkeyes wrestler. He suffered a loss in the hands of Penn State’s Beau Bartlett. Eventually his team, the Iowa Hawkeyes, also had the same fate.

Iowa Hawkeyes’ top prospect faces a setback

Penn State Wrestling took it to their Twitter account and announced ecstatic news among the spectators. They penned, “141: No. 1 Beau Bartlett PSU dec. No. 2 Real Woods, 7-2 Penn State 7, Iowa 3.” In today’s first showdown, Penn State’s Beau Bartlett embarked on the journey to dominate the No.2 ranking opponent, Real Woods.

After a sudden victory over Ohio State’s Third-ranking wrestler Jesse Mendez, Bartlett moved to No. 1 at 141 pounds weight class last week. Soon after entering the arena, Bartlett solidified his rank by handing over Real Woods his second consecutive defeat in a dual meet showdown. Eventually, Bartlett controlled Woods from the outset, clinching first and third-period takedowns while securing a 7-2 win over a ranked opponent.

But today’s match was not the first time Bartlett faced a ranked opponent, Real Woods, on the wrestling mat. Interestingly, last season, Bartlett faced Woods on the same wrestling mat at 141 pounds. However, the result was quite different from today’s showdown. Bartlett was defeated by Real Woods in a showdown by 4-1. Therefore, in today’s showdown, Bartlett avenged last year’s loss while adding points to the team’s total.  Bartlett’s win added a page to the final triumph of Penn State.

Reigning Supreme with 29-6 

Riding on several notable wins, Penn State managed to roll past No. 3 Iowa Hawkeyes, securing 29-6 at Carver-Hawkeyes Arena. Although the Hawkeyes were better than last weekend against Michigan Wolverines, the efforts did not seem to be enough to topple the Nittany Lion’s talented roaster. Only two Hawkeyes stand out amid the wrecks.

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Drake Ayala and Caleb Rathjen were the only winners at the showdown from Hawkeyes as Aaron Nagao, Beau Bartlet, Greg Kerkvliet, Aaron Brooks, Carter Starocci, Mitchell Mesenbrink, and Levi Haines accumulated points across multiple weight classes. Now Penn State is gearing up to add another win to its streak at the upcoming showdown against Nebraska Huskers. 

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