Iowa State wrestles to Historic Cy-Hawk Dual Victory, Defeating Iowa 21-15
AMES, iowa – In a stunning upset, No. 6 Iowa State defeated No. 3 Iowa 21-15 Friday night,marking the Cyclones’ first victory over their in-state rivals in the Cy-Hawk Dual since 2004. The win sends a jolt through the college wrestling landscape and establishes Iowa State as a legitimate national contender.
The annual Cy-Hawk Dual, a cornerstone of iowa’s wrestling tradition, pits the state’s two premier programs against each other in a highly anticipated showdown. Iowa had dominated the series for two decades, but Iowa State’s balanced performance and key victories propelled them to a historic result.
The night’s pivotal matchups lived up to their billing. At 197 pounds, Iowa State’s No. 2 Rocky Elam defeated Iowa’s No. 4 Abe Endene, securing a critical win for the Cyclones. Elam, a four-time All-American previously at Missouri, is in his final season at Iowa State after a medical redshirt year.
The heavyweight bout also proved decisive. Iowa State’s No. 1 Yonger Bastida,boasting a career filled with wins over NCAA champions and finalists,prevailed over Iowa’s Ben Kueter,avenging a loss from the previous year’s dual. Bastida’s resume includes victories over Wyatt Hendrickson, Lucas Davison, Cohlton Schultz, and Jacob Warner.
Iowa State secured early momentum with wins from Drake Ayala at 125 pounds and Paniro Johnson at 157 pounds. Iowa responded with victories from Caleb Henson at 141 pounds and Cobe Siebrecht at 165 pounds, but the Cyclones maintained their lead.
Iowa State’s victory underscores a shift in the balance of power within the state and signals a new era for Cyclone wrestling. The dual marked the final Cy-Hawk competition for both Endene and Elam, adding emotional weight to the historic outcome.