Redshirt junior Gabe Moreno will likely be out for the rest of the wrestling season due to a shoulder injury, said ISU coach Kevin Jackson on Sunday. 

Moreno had shoulder surgery during the offseason before the 2015-16 season. He came back for the Iowa match in November.

Throughout the last two months, Moreno’s performance has been up and down because of his lack of confidence as well as his shoulder. The Oklahoma dual on Jan. 22 would be his last match of the season after pulling out of his match against Oklahoma State on Jan. 24. 

Moreno had an MRI on his shoulder last Tuesday. The results showed enough damage to take him off the mat for the last part of the season. 

“Gabe’s hurt pretty bad,” Jackson said. “The injury isn’t as serious as last year because he tore his bicep, but this injury doesn’t seem to be as serious.

“It’s tough to lose Gabe because he brings energy to practice as well as on the mat. He’s a big piece of the puzzle, but we have people to step up.”

Jackson couldn’t expand on his injuries. He couldn’t comment on whether the injury would need surgery or the timetable for him to be back to health. 

Blayne Briceno wrestled today in place of Moreno but was pinned in the first period, so Jackson is looking for the right replacement. Jackson has said that Dante Rodriguez could possibly fill the 149-pound spot since he’s gained some weight during winter break. 

“It’s a tough hole to fill. He’s the type of guy that will lay it out on the line for every match,” said Tanner Weatherman. “You never question his effort, so it sucks losing a guy like that, but hopefully someone can step up.”