The hits keep coming for the Iowa Wrestling program. After finishing last season with a 14-1 (7-1 Big Ten) in duals last season, the Hawkeyes struggled in the post season.
Iowa finished in third at the Big Ten Championships behind powerhouse Penn State and rising power Nebraska.
They had multiple wrestlers qualify for the NCAA Championships, but only crowned one National Champion (Stephen Buchanan, 197 pounds).
It was an average season by Iowa standards, and they were active in the portal and on the recruiting trail to retool for next season and beyond.
The Hawkeyes added multiple talented prospects to their 2026 recruiting class, including Bo Bassett, the No. 2 overall prospect in the 2026 recruiting class.
Bassett has the potential to be a star wrestler at the college level and was a huge commitment for the Hawkeyes, but as the summer progressed, rumors swirled that Bassett's relationship with the Iowa program began to fracture.
At the end of June, Bassett decommitted from the program and was the first of multiple hits for the Hawkeyes.
Following Bassett's decommitment, his brother, Melvin Williams, the No. 1 overall prospect in the 2027 recruiting class, scratched Iowa off his destinations list.
At the beginning of July, it was announced the Hawkeyes were losing another key piece.
Confirmation from @JustinJBasch, who heard from Gabe himself that he is no longer at Iowa.
— Ross Bartachek (@rossbchek) July 1, 2025
Arnold finished in the Round of 16 as a freshman at 184 pounds, and has three years of eligibility remaining. pic.twitter.com/yRSnPwNBm6
Star redshirt freshman wrestler Gabe Arnold has been dismissed from the Iowa program. The details surrounding his dismissal have not been released, but the Hawkeyes are losing another key wrestler.
Arnold had a solid 2024-2025 season following his redshirt season. Last season, Arnold finished with a 19-7 (10-2 dual) record, including an 8-6 record against ranked opponents.
Arnold finished fifth at the Big Ten Championships (184 pounds) and placed in the top 16 at the NCAA Championships.
He will have three years of remaining eligibility.