The Iowa State wrestling club traveled down to Allen, Texas, this weekend for the NCWA Tournament. A national tournament for club wrestling teams like Iowa State. 

This was the third year the Cyclones qualified for this national tournament and the third year this team has been competitive under head coach August Wesley. The team has had 23 athletes qualify for this tournament over the last three years and this year they had nine qualify. 

“We are growing mentally as well as anything else in terms of what we’re doing and bringing to the table,” Wesley said. 

Wesley looked to the leadership of Tyler Kutz (president of the club), Chase Reising (vice president of the club) and Costas “Gus” Hatzipavlides (treasurer of the club). Their leadership has helped the wrestling club earn first place in the Great Plains Conference last season and second place this season. 

Unfortunately, Reising wasn’t able to join the team this weekend as he came down with an illness just before leaving for Allen, Texas. Therefore, Wesley brought eight wrestlers down for the national tournament. 

The Iowa State wrestling club made club history this weekend after seven of the eight wrestlers advanced to day two of the tournament. Wesley said he’s proud of their work this season and can’t wait to see the future of this team. 

After day two, Iowa State is sitting in 20th place overall (with a little over 80 teams competing this weekend) and fourth place in the Division II standings behind Penn State Wrestling Club, Akron and Colorado State. The Cyclones finished 11th in Division II last season, so there’s been plenty of growth this season. 

“It’s just been really super exciting for us to have all the guys contributing,” August said. “We’ve never had that many competitors still in at a day two, so I think we’re just growing as a whole.”

Heading into day three today, Wesley and the Iowa State wrestling club have one wrestler left in the tournament. Hatzipavlides will be competing today for a first place title.