It's hard to envision a scenario where Marinelli isn't the 165 starter for the Hawkeyes at the end of the year. However, if you watch the clip above (at the 4:00 mark) head coach Tom Brands talks about how Kennedy "isn't conceding anything" this year. Are the Hawkeyes really using the Luther Open as a wrestle-off? For the starting spot or not, this is an incredibly intriguing match. Here's to hoping it actually happens.

Full announcement: 

IOWA CITY, Iowa — The University of Iowa wrestling program announced Wednesday that it will open its 2021-22 season Saturday at the Luther Open.

Twenty-one Hawkeyes, including six returning All-Americans, compete in Decorah, Iowa, beginning at 9 a.m. (CT). Live results are available at Trackwrestling.com and live video of all mats is available at FloWrestling.com.

Gates open at 7:30 a.m. Concessions are available starting at 8 a.m. Masks are required for all fans and event workers.

Admission is $20 for adults and $10 for students and senior citizens (65+). Children under five are admitted for free. Wristbands will be given to each spectator to come and go throughout the day.

More information is available at luthernorse.com.

UNIVERSITY OF IOWA ENTRIES

Elite Division
125 – Jesse Ybarra
133 – Austin DeSanto, *Cullan Schreiver
141 – Jaydin Eierman, Leif Schroeder
149 – Vince Turk, *Bretli Reyna, Cobe Siebrecht
157 – Kaleb Young
165 – Alex Marinelli, *Patrick Kennedy, Joe Kelly
174 – *Brennan Swafford
184 – Abe Assad
197 – Jacob Warner, Zach Glazier
285 – Aaron Costello

Silver Division (freshman only)
133 – Charles Matthews
141 – *Wyatt Henson
157 – *Sebastian Robles
184 – *Andrew Simaz
*Unattached