Entering the third and final day of the NCAA Wrestling Championships, sophomores Evan and Jacob Frost remained the only two Cyclones in contention for podium finishes. After session one, Jacob Frost was the only place winner.
Success dates back
Ahead of the Cliff Keen Invitational in Las Vegas back in December, Jacob Frost was not a name that garnered national attention. Before wrestling against senior Zach Redding, Frost remained a backup in the Cyclone lineup, adding depth to an already prominent senior class.
When Frost took over the starting role in December, he joined his twin brother Evan in the starting lineup, never looking in the rear-view. From December forward, the pair have wrestled back to back, Evan at 133 and Jacob at 141.
“[Evan] has been by me throughout the entire tournament,” Jacob Frost said. “He came with me to cut weight last night, told me how proud of me he was, and it meant a lot to be there with him.”
Jacob Frost moves on, Evan Frost falls
Jacob Frost concluded the fourth session of the tournament and lost by fall to No. 4 Josh Koderhandt of Navy in 0:59. Frost’s advancement came from a round of 12, 9-9 decision win over No. 14 Sergio Lemley of Michigan.
Evan Frost’s only matchup of the day came against No. 8 Braeden Davis of Penn State. He dropped the round of 12 matchup by decision 4-2.
“It’s a silver lining in what’s been a challenging season,” Iowa State head coach Kevin Dresser said. “Everybody knew that our personnel this season wasn’t the same as it was in previous years, but Jacob gave them something to be excited about.”
Jacob Frost’s time to shine
In last season’s NCAA Wrestling Championships, Evan Frost earned All-American honors with a sixth-place finish at 133. This year, Jacob Frost flipped the script.
“It’s been a long road,” Jacob Frost said. “I was banged up last year, missed wrestle-offs this year and wasn’t sure what was happening at the beginning of the season. You never know when you’ll get your chance and it’s one of those things where you put your head down and keep grinding.”
Following his advancement on Friday night, Jacob Frost was named a 2024-25 All-American. The Frost brothers are the first identical twins to earn All-American honors in back-to-back seasons for Iowa State.
“A college career goes quick,” Dresser said. “You have to make up ground in the practice room to work your way up to this venue, and our freshmen and sophomores prove that.”
Jacob Frost was the only Cyclone to place in that national tournament. The team finished 27th in the standings.
The Frost twins, alongside sophomores Paniro Johnson, Aiden Riggins, MJ Gaitan, Cody Chittum and freshman Daniel Herrera are expected to return next season.
