Iowa State wrestling preview: 125-pounds

Jakob Allison of the Iowa State wrestling team faces off against Tanner Shoap from Drexel during the wrestling meet held at Hilton Coliseum on Nov. 12.

Trevor Holbrook

Editor’s notes: This is part one of a 10-part series breaking down the Iowa State wrestling roster weight-by-weight. While athletes switching to different weights is inevitable, for the sake of simplicity and consistency, this series will base the weights off of past weights.

With the arrival of Kevin Dresser and his staff to Ames, the roster defections piled up. The lowest weight — 125-pounds — was especially impacted by the roster turnover.

Danny Vega and Jonathan Marmolejo were set to anchor the 125-pound spot. Vega left the program in November, and Marmolejo followed shortly after.

Waukee native Jakob Allison walked-on to the Iowa State wrestling team late in the summer. Allison stepped into a starting role. Allison started to prove he belonged after a pin against Wyoming’s Trent Olson, but on Jan. 5, he broke his hand, ending his season.

With few options, Dresser plugged in another walk-on at 125-pounds: Sinjin Briggs. Briggs finished 1-16 and 0-12 in duals.

Now, Iowa State’s had most of an offseason to restock its lowest weight.

Alex Mackall

In early January, Iowa State added Rutgers transfer Alex Mackall. Mackall was the No. 71 overall recruit according to Intermat, but after then-Penn State’s Nick Suriano transferred to Rutgers, Mackall’s mat time looked to heavily decrease.

Mackall and Suriano wrestled in high school at 120-pounds. Suriano knocked off Mackall, 3-0.

Suriano ended up as the runner-up in the 125-pound NCAA Championship. Meanwhile, Mackall moved to Ames.

So what does Mackall bring to the table?

For starters, the Austintown, Ohio native won a state title as a junior and finished second as a senior.

Mackall also picked up a win over now-Cornell’s Yanni Diakomihalis in high school.

In his collegiate career, Mackall has wrestled to a 7-4 record. At the Sioux City Dave Edmonds Open, Mackall went 4-0 at 125-pounds against small colleges.

After the open, Mackall bumped up to 133-pounds since he wrestled unattached and finished 3-4.

In the freestyle realm, Mackall finished seventh at the U23 World Team Trials.

Overall, the potential seems to be there with Mackall, but with limited mat time, there’s too small of a sample size to judge too heavily. Mackall will likely be the front-runner in the 125-pound competition.

Jakob Allison

Before injuring his hand, Allison showed positive signs for Iowa State. Maybe the most impressive skill Allison possesses is his ability on top.

Allison proved he can ride hard in his limited time wrestling last season. Against Wyoming, Allison racked up riding time before snagging a pin.

Once again, Allison is another 125-pounder with little collegiate mat time, but the walk-on should provide a solid option to spot start.

Sinjin Briggs

Briggs didn’t see a lot of success in 2017-18, but the Gilbert native showed toughness. Jumping in late, Briggs faced some tough competition, but he stuck it out and finished the season.

While Briggs may not crack a dual lineup in 2018-19, he’ll provide more depth. Besides, no one expected him to wrestle last season, so who knows?

Corey Cabanban

Cabanban carries on the Hawaiian torch after 184-pounder Dane Pestano graduated after last season.

The incoming freshman made a name for himself in the Aloha State, compiling four state championships. In the Honolulu Star Advertiser, Cabanban finished his senior season No. 1 at his weight.

Cabanban — an invited walk-on, according to Hawaii Prep World — will have an opportunity to develop early on at Iowa State with the trio listed before him on the roster.

Charlie Klepps

Klepps will reportedly have shoulder surgery at some point this summer and redshirt his initial season in Ames.

When he is healthy at Iowa State, Klepps should show some pinning potential if his high school results are any indicator. The four-time Montana state champion totaled a 164-18 record in high school, with 88 of his wins coming via pin.

A healthy Klepps will mean another solid depth option for Iowa State.