One year ago Valley-West Des Moines’ Joel Shapiro was one of Iowa’s fastest rising juniors in the state of Iowa making the podium at Fargo before going on to an undefeated regular season where he won his first state title. Fast-forward to today and Shapiro has established himself as one of the top wrestlers at his weight – No. 4 at 195 pounds – and he is currently the top verbal in Kevin Dresser’s first recruiting class at Iowa State.
Coming in from Michigan is another top five wrestler at 195 pounds, No. 3 Brandon Whitman of Michigan has also committed to wrestle at the next level at North Carolina. A three-time state champion, Whitman has also picked up multiple All-American finishes across the country in Freestyle and Greco-Roman, including reaching the finals of the Cadet World Team Trials. Whitman picked up a huge 13-2 win over Pennsylvania’s Trent Hidlay at the Junior National Duals in June. Hidlay is currently ranked No. 2 at 170lbs.
This will be Shapiro’s second and final Night of Conflict match after debuting against Illinois prep Danny Braunagel last fall. In that match Shapiro came out on top 8-4. At the time Shapiro was ranked #15 and Braunagel was ranked #17. VIP tickets are one sale now and can be purchased through EventBrite. General Admission tickets are expected to go on sale later this month. Fans unable to attend the “Night of Conflict” in person will be able to watch via live stream on Flowrestling.
Other Announced Matches:
#7 Jeremiah Reno (MO) vs #10 Cullan Schriever (IA)
#19 Luke Kemerer (PA) vs Cade DeVos (IA)
#3 Brandon Witman (MI) vs #4 Joel Shapiro (IA)
What is Night of Conflict?
The IAwrestle Team is proud to announce that this October we will be hosting a premier wrestling event titled “The Night of Conflict 3”, and will pit some of the best talent that the state of Iowa has to offer in a head-to-head battle for supremacy of each weight class. All proceeds benefit the Hawkeye Wrestling Club.
The event is scheduled for October 13, 2017 in Carver-Hawkeye Arena and it will take place the day before the preseason tournament, the Conflict at Carver.
Following weigh ins for the Conflict at Carver, wrestlers who have registered for the tournament will receive automatic admission into the Night of Conflict, free of charge. Tickets for the Night of Conflict will also be available for purchase at the door.
Wrestlers competing in the event will be split into two squads, and each team will be coached by a Hawkeye Wrestling Club member.
**NEW**
VIP Ticket Information: The first 50 fans to purchase a VIP ticket will receive the following benefits: On the mat seating, a VIP badge, an IAwrestle branded Rudis hat that is exclusive to VIP members, and one autographed program signed by all HWC wrestlers/coaches. Reminder: all proceeds benefit the Hawkeye Wrestling Club.
Additional Tickets will be available as the date draws closer.
Event Time:
Doors open at 6 p.m. and Night of Conflict will start at 7 p.m.
Parking Info:
Parking lot outside of Carver (Lot 46) does not open up to the public until 4:30 p.m.