As Hawkeye Men's Wrestling prepares for another year, the program released their Big Ten Conference schedule for next season.
Iowa is looking to get back on track after finishing second in the conference behind juggernaut Penn State and failing to take the top slot in any postseason tournaments.
The Hawkeyes limped down the stretch of the Big Ten Conference Championships, finishing No. 3 behind Penn State and Nebraska.
Iowa also managed only one National Champion (Stephen Buchanan - 197 pounds), a far cry from past seasons.
Penn State is the clear No.1 team i n the Big Ten and nationally, and teams like Nebraska and Ohio State are closing the gap on Iowa.
After a productive offseason where Iowa added multiple talented wrestlers across the board, we now know there 2025-2026 Big Ten Conference schedule, and it is challenging.
The B1G slate is set. pic.twitter.com/aad3Xid4nR
— Iowa Hawkeye Wrestling (@Hawks_Wrestling) September 29, 2025
Iowa will battle six of the top ten teams from last season, including Michigan (No. 10), Minnesota (No. 3), Nebraska (No. 4), Ohio State (No. 5), Penn State (No. 1), and Purdue (No. 8).
The Hawkeyes are returning starters Gabe Arnold (184 pounds), Drake Ayala (133 pounds), and Michael Caliendo (165 pounds), while adding talented freshmen Leo DeLuca (125 pounds) and Angelo Ferrari (184 pounds) to the roster.
Iowa has a veteran roster that aims to lead the Hawkeyes to glory this season, following a disappointing performance last year.
The Hawkeyes still have open slots from last year, including at 125 pounds and 197 pounds after senior Stephen Buchanan exhausted his eligibility, and an underwhelming performance by Joey Cruz at 125 pounds.
With DeLuca projected to use his redshirt this season, senior transfer Dean Peterson will slide into the 125-pound slot, and transfer Massoma Endene will slide into the vacant 197-pound slot.
The Hawkeyes have a lot to prove this season and need to begin the Big Ten Conference slate strong with a win over rival Wisconsin on January 9, 2026.