The two largest universities in the state of Iowa will square off under the lights of Hilton Coliseum on Sunday.

Every year, thousands of fans flock to the Iowa-Iowa State wrestling dual to watch two of the most historically prominent programs in the nation wrestle for statewide bragging rights. The atmosphere mirrors the wrestlers of both squads: focused and intense.

After wrestling in the dual as a student-athlete at Iowa State and coaching in it the last four years, ISU wrestling coach Kevin Jackson is used to the raucous environment. The challenge is getting his wrestlers accustomed to it.

“[The atmosphere is] what they came here for and that’s what we talked to them about before they signed their letters of intent was that there is no place like wrestling at Iowa State,” Jackson said. “There is no better environment than the Iowa-Iowa State dual meet.

“The environment, the intensity, the importance with which the universities, the state and the country look at this event is second to none.”

Last year, amid Iowa’s 32-3 trouncing of the Cyclones, 197 pound All-American Kyven Gadson put up the only points for Iowa State by defeating Nathan Burak 5-4. After getting a win in Iowa’s Carver-Hawkeye Arena, Gadson is for a chance to get in front of the Cyclone faithful.

“I’m excited for the opportunity to wrestle in front of our fans, I know there will be a lot of Hawkeye fans as well, but just being in Ames will be comforting,” Gadson said. “They always come prepared so we just have to step up to the challenge this week.”

Gadson and other upperclassmen will know what to expect when they step out onto the mat and shake their opponent’s hand, but not everyone on the team has been there before.

For redshirt freshman Lelund Weatherspoon, this will be his first taste of the Iowa-Iowa State rivalry. Weatherspoon, a 174 pounder hailing from Jackson, Mich., has compiled a 10-1 overall record so far this season and will try to carry that momentum into Sunday.

“I don’t know what it will be like, but I just have to be prepared, focus and wrestle,” Weatherspoon said. “You can’t get caught up in the moment or doubt yourself, if you just stay close and wrestle like you, you won’t get caught up in that environment.”