Iowa wrestling wins second consecutive Big Ten title
Hawkeyes with four individual champions for first time since 2001
By Tyler Devine
For the second consecutive season, the Iowa wrestling team stands above all others in the Big Ten.
The top-ranked Hawkeyes won their 37th Big Ten Championships team title on Sunday at the Bryce Jordan Center in University Park, Pennsylvania, the home of Penn State, winner of six of the last 10 Big Ten titles.
The Hawkeyes scored 159.5 team points with Penn State and Nebraska rounding out the top three with 124 and 104.5 points respectively.
The Hawkeyes and Nittany Lions shared the 2021 Big Ten regular season title.
“Now we’re going to St. Louis,” coach Tom Brands said. “That’s really where their heads are, that’s where my head is. You’re going to get the recognition that you earn based on your performance. That is a timeless principle. That’s a principle that is true and correct. You’re going to get the accolades that you earn.”
Senior 174-pounder Michael Kemerer, a native of Murrysville, Pennsylvania, won his first career Big Ten title, a 7-2 decision over Penn State’s Carter Starocci, in his third appearance in the finals match. He was runner-up in 2017 and 2020.
“It sounds great but you know the mentality, we’ve got work to do,” Kemerer said on Big Ten Network. “We’ve got a bigger thing coming up in two weeks. I’m blessed and thankful and ready to move forward.”
141-pounder Jaydin Eierman, 125-pounder Spencer Lee and 165-pounder Alex Marinelli won their first, second and third Big Ten titles, respectively.
Lee and Brands were named Big Ten Wrestler and Coach of the Year for the second consecutive year.
It is the first time since 2001 that Iowa has had four individual Big Ten champions.
Marinelli is the first three-time Big Ten champion at Iowa since T.J. Williams won three from 1999-01.
“It’s just as sweet (as the other two),” Marinelli said. “I’m just happy to be alongside my guys. That’s what really matters is that team bonding, team camaraderie and just getting that team trophy.”
Lee gave up a takedown early in the first period to Purdue’s Devin Schroder, but Schroder’s lead didn’t last long as Lee went on to win by technical fall 21-3 in the second period for his second career Big Ten Title.
“I won, so happy about it a little, I guess,” Lee said. “I’ve got a lot of work to do.”
Eierman, a transfer from Missouri, beat Penn State’s Nick Lee 6-5 in the 141-pound final to lock up the team title for Iowa.
The win was Eierman’s fourth career conference title and he became the first Hawkeye to win the 141-pound Big Ten title since Cliff Moore in 2004.
“This is why I transferred,” Eierman said on Big Ten Network. “To get better and better and better every day. I’m regretting that match, it should have been way worse, but it’s a learning point. I’m going to be a different animal come March 20 when I’m standing in that national finals ready for everybody.”
Senior 133-pounder Austin DeSanto and junior 157-pounder finished second.
DeSanto, a native of Exeter, Pennsylvania, lost a 5-2 decision to Roman Bravo-Young of Penn State.
Young, a native of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, lost a 6-0 decision to top-ranked Ryan Deakin of Northwestern.
Sophomore Nelson Brands placed fourth at 184 pounds in his first career Big Ten Championships.
Junior Jacob Warner finished third at 197 pounds for the third consecutive year and sophomore heavyweight Tony Cassioppi placed third for the second time.
The only Hawkeye to not place in the tournament was junior 149-pounder Max Murin.
Murin, the No. 2 seed, lost his quarterfinal match 6-1 to Ridge Lovett of Nebraska, then lost 7-2 in his wrestle back match against Mike Van Brill of Rutgers and was eliminated from the tournament.
Murin, a native of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvanina, is still eligible to be selected for an at-large bid in the NCAA Championships which take place March 18-20 in St. Louis, Missouri.
Final team standings
- Iowa – 159.5
- Penn State – 124
- Nebraska – 105.5
- Michigan – 92
- Minnesota 77.5
- Purdue – 76
- Northwestern 74
- Michigan State – 73.5
- Ohio State – 69.5
- Rutgers – 52
- Illinois – 32
- Wisconsin – 30.5
- Indiana – 22
- Maryland – 2