Iowa Wrestling enters the 2023-2024 season seeking its 25th NCAA National Championship since 1975 as the No.2-ranked team in the FloWrestling preseason rankings has its usual high-expectations. 

The Hawkeyes enter the season needing to replace superstar Spencer Lee, who graduated this spring. But the roster is, as usual, loaded. 

Real Woods is the No.9-ranked Pound-For-Pound wrestler in the FloWrestling rankings and is joined there with the No.14-ranked wrestler, Anthony Cassioppi. Woods is also the No.1-ranked 141-pound wrestler, while Cassioppi is No. 3 at 285. 

Brody Teske (No. 11 at 133-pounds), Victor Voinovich (No. 10 at 149), Jared Franek (No. 2 at 157), Michael Caliendo (No. 5 at 165), Nelson Brands (No. 5 at 174) and Abe Assad (No. 12 at 184) are also ranked. 

Iowa Wrestling was thrown into turmoil during the offseason when 26 Iowa student athletes, including five wrestlers, were being investigated for gambling issues. On August, 11 student athletes received their eligibility rulings. The athletes on the wrestling team were never officially named.

The NCAA is considering reducing penalties for gambling-related suspensions. 

With the gambling issues being worked out, the Hawkeyes have turned their attention to the upcoming schedule, which starts with Big 12 program California Baptist in Riverside, Calif.

When Is Iowa vs. Penn State Wrestling?

Iowa will host the No.1 team and its biggest rival in the Big Ten Penn State on Feb. 9 in a dual meet. 

Here’s a look at the entire Iowa Wrestling Schedule. 

Iowa Wrestling Schedule 2023-2024

• Nov. 4: California Baptist; Riverside, Calif. 
• Nov. 19: Oregon State; Iowa City, Iowa
• Nov. 26: Iowa State; Ames, Iowa
• Dec. 1: University of Penn; Philadelphia
• Dec. 8: Columbia; Iowa City, Iowa
• Dec. 29-30: Soldier Salute; Coralville, Iowa
• Jan. 12: Nebraska; Lincoln, Neb. 
• Jan 15: Minnesota; Iowa City, Iowa
• Jan. 19: Purdue, Iowa City, Iowa 
• Jan. 26: Illinois; Champaign, Ill.
• Jan. 28: Northwestern; Iowa City, Iowa
• Feb.2: Michigan; Ann Arbor, Mich. 
• Feb. 9: Penn State; Iowa City, Iowa
• Feb. 18: Wisconsin; Iowa City, Iowa
• Feb. 25: Oklahoma State; Stillwater, Okla. 

When Is the 2024 Big Ten Wrestling Tournament? 

The Big Ten Wrestling Tournament is March 9-10 at the XFINITY Center in College Park, Md. 

Last year’s Big Ten Tournament was at the Crisler Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan. 

This is the first time Maryland has hosted the tournament. 

When is the 2024 NCAA Wrestling Tournament?

The NCAA Wrestling Championships are March 21- 23 at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Mo. 

How The NCAA Could Change Gambling Rules That Could Impact Iowa Wrestling

The NCAA is apparently considering a three-strike policy for those who don’t wager on their own teams. 

Here are the proposed punishments, according to the NCAA release: 

• On a first offense, eliminate penalties that result in student-athletes being withheld from competition — regardless of the dollar value of the wagers and including bets placed on other sports at a student-athlete's school — and require education on sports wagering rules and prevention. 
• On a second offense, potentially involve withholding penalties, depending on the dollar value of the bet(s) in question.
• On a third or subsequent offense, resulting penalty could be a loss of one full season of eligibility.

-Andy Hamilton

More Iowa Wrestling News

Here are more Iowa Wrestling headlines: 

• Iowa Wrestling Hosting Inaugural Women's Home Dual On Nov. 12
• Here's Every Iowa Wrestling NCAA Champion
• Iowa Hawkeyes Reload For 2023-24 NCAA Season