The Cyclone wrestling season is fast approaching, and coach Kevin Dresser has high hopes for how his team will fare.

David Carr redshirting

David Carr, a freshman recruit from Canton, Ohio, was one of the top recruits in the nation coming out of high school this last year, but he will likely sit out his first year at Iowa State.

“We’re 98 percent sure that we’re going to keep him where we’re at,” Dresser said. “Common sense tells you a 20-year-old David Carr as a freshman is going to be better than a 19-year-old David Carr as a freshman.”

Carr was ranked as the No. 2 overall recruit and the top in his weight class for 2018 by FloWrestling. Dresser wants to make sure his young wrestler is ready for the talent bump he’s going to see, and a year to prepare should be enough to do that.

The coaches might try him out for a couple matches to see if he is ready, but they are heavily leaning towards sidelining him for this year.

Carr seemed to embrace his coach’s decision.

“They think that’s what’s best for me,” Carr said. “I just support whatever decision they make.”

Gomez not being rushed

Heavily-recruited redshirt freshman Austin Gomez is recovering from a minor knee injury he suffered over the summer. He went 8-0 last season in his redshirt year and is a probable starter for the 133-pound weight class this season.

Gomez will not wrestle in the Cyclone Open as the coaches are being cautious and playing it safe with his injury.

“I still think he’s probably a week away,” Dresser said. “I just don’t think it’s fair to throw him into a tournament right now.”

Gomez was pulled from the Junior World Team Championships in Slovakia over the summer due to his knee issues.

Gomez will be thrust back into action following the conclusion of the Cyclone Open on Saturday, Nov. 3.

Dresser taking the reins

Dresser is entering his second season as the Cyclones’ head coach, and said he is starting to get a good feel of his team.

Numerous transfers, including 25-year-old NCAA All-American Willie Miklus, coupled with some strong recruiting classes have shaped Dresser’s vision.

A lot of wrestlers left, but a lot more came through the door, and Dresser’s team now looks more like what he wanted.

“Last year, to me, was really a feeling out process,” Dresser said. “To me, I really value guys that love wrestling … I think we got a room full of guys that love wrestling.”

Dresser made it clear when he came in it was not going to be a complete upheaval of the current roster, but the team has definitely gotten more in touch with his vision.