The season started off roughly for redshirt sophomore Ben Cash, but after a recent tournament victory he’s hopeful to soon return to dual action.

After beginning the season as Iowa State’s starter at 133 pounds, Cash dropped his first two matches and suffered a concussion. Cash returned to the mat on Saturday at the William Penn Open, where he wrestled to four victories and a first-place finish at the tournament.

The showing helped push Cash one step closer to rejoining the ISU wrestling team’s lineup.

“He won the [William Penn Open] so obviously he’s back in the hunt for that spot,” said coach Kevin Jackson. “Definitely as we move forward into the year, he’s going to be a player at that weight class.”

So far this season, the Cyclones have sent redshirt freshman R.J. Hallman and true freshman Shayden Terukina to the mat in addition to Cash at 133 pounds, and each have faced nationally ranked opponents. With five dual meets remaining in the season, the weight class is still up for grabs.

“We base our starters on who can perform in national competition and who can win against some of the best guys in the country and be consistent in doing so,” Jackson said. “R.J. and Shayden haven’t shown that to this point, so that puts Ben back into a good position because nobody has stepped up.”

After his early season opportunity was put on hold with a concussion, Cash slowly worked his way back to the mat. With his four victories — all by major decision — last weekend, he is excited to soon return to the lineup.

“It was tough sitting out, especially happening that early in the season,” Cash said. “I felt I was in really good shape, but now I feel like I’m back and ready to wrestle, and I just can’t wait to compete.”

Team captain Andrew Sorenson said Cash, along with many of the team’s young wrestlers, needs to build confidence on the mat.

“He went out and wrestled [well at the] Big 12 tournament last year,” Sorenson said. “He just needs to get a little more confident and know he can compete with some of the best guys.”

On Friday, if at full strength, Jackson hopes Cash will return to the mat at Hilton Coliseum when the Cyclones take on No. 15 Virginia Tech. If he is ready to go, Cash will face No. 1 Devin Carter.

“We’re just looking for one of those guys to step up and wrestle to their full ability,” Jackson said. “It would be exciting to throw [Cash] out there and see if he’s ready to handle that level of wrestler.”

Cash is hopeful to return to the lineup on Friday and with just two matches in dual action this season — both on the road — he cannot wait to show the home crowd improvements he has made from last season.

“It’s always exciting [to get on the mat],” Cash said. “I wrestled in a lot of home duals last year, and I feel like I’ve made a lot of strides since last year.”

And if Cash does get the call, Carter’s ranking will not affect his approach.

“Our coaches tell us to prepare the same for every match whether it’s a kid you’ve never heard of or the No. 1 kid in the nation,” Cash said. “Just go out there and compete the same way and leave it all on the mat.”