After a 3-0 start to the season, Iowa State will face Cal Baptist University on Saturday in both teams’ first Big 12 dual meet of the season.  

The Lancers are 1-1, following a 9-38 defeat against Cal Poly and a 32-6 victory over Vanguard. True freshman Mitchell Mesinbrink and redshirt sophomore Caden Gerlach were the only undefeated Lancer wrestlers in their two matches.  

Iowa State has some talented freshmen on their roster as well, including reigning Big 12 Wrestler of the Week Paniro Johnson. Johnson was named Big 12 Wrestler of the Week after his victory against last year’s Big Ten champion and No. 2 ranked Austin Gomez of Wisconsin. Johnson also defeated redshirt junior Joseph Bianchi of Little Rock.

Johnson is just one of the freshmen that made an impressive debut. Freshman Casey Swiderski of Dundee, Michigan won both of his matches, including a 10-5 victory against No. 11 Joseph Zargo of Wisconsin.  

Iowa State moved up to No. 9 in the NWCA Coaches Poll after their 3-0 start in Jacksonville.  The freshman class, which was ranked second in the nation by MatScouts entering the season, has started strong and is giving the Cyclones a boost ahead of their meet against CBU.  

“We can’t let the highs get too high or the lows get too low because it’s a long road to March,” Iowa State head coach Kevin Dresser said. 

David Carr his season with three victories, highlighted by defeating another wrestler ranked in the top-five. Carr, ranked third in the country at the time, defeated No. 5 Dean Hamiti of the Badgers 7-5, following two takedowns in the third period. The senior will wrestle in his final home opener as a Cyclone on Saturday.  

The true freshman Mitchell Mesinbrink had the first pin of his collegiate career against Vanguard. He did it in the 165 lb. weight class, the same class as David Carr.  

Iowa State has the advantage in experience over Cal Baptist. The Cyclones have four seniors in their lineup, CBU has two on their entire roster.  

The newest addition to the Big 12 also happens to be one of the youngest teams in the conference.  

Cyclone senior Jason Kraisser was defeated 6-5 by No. 18 Garrett Model of Wisconsin. Look for him to have a different result in his final home opener on Saturday.  

The dual meet against CBU will be at 8 p.m. Saturday in Ames.