Eight Semifinal Bouts Set for Day 2 of Iowa Wrestle Offs

The first three matches of the University of Iowa’s wrestle offs are officially in the books. Winning their first round bouts were true freshmen Max Murin (141) and Jacob Warner (197) along with redshirt freshman Cade Brownlee (197). There will be eight semifinal bouts taking place tomorrow in Iowa City.

125:
Justin Stickley vs Perez Perez

141:
Vince Turk vs Max Murin
Carter Happel vs Danny Murphy

149:
Brandon Sorensen vs Stephen Alvarez
Pat Lugo vs Jeren Glosser

157:
Keegan Shaw vs Tristan McDonald

197:
Cash Wilcke vs Cade Brownlee
Steven Holloway vs Jacob Warner

From The Top 5 Matches We Want to See at Iowa Wrestle Offs

1. Vince Turk (So) vs Carter Happel (Fr) | 141 pounds

This matchup is still on track for a Saturday showdown between the perceived top two contenders. As noted earlier this week, we are still highly interested to see what true freshman Max Murin is capable at this weight, and he has the best chance to upset our potential #1 matchup we want to see.

2. Brandon Sorensen (Sr) vs Pat Lugo (Jr) | 149 pounds

This matchup has a higher probability of going down on Saturday, but the match to circle for tomorrow will be Pat Lugo’s meeting with Jeren Glosser. A majority of Glosser’s career losses have come from his teammates and Lugo will be the favorite, but count us as interested in seeing this one.

3. Joey Gunther (So) vs Kaleb Young (Fr) | 174 pounds

Guaranteed finals match at 174 pounds. We will get this one on Saturday!

4. Cash Wilcke (So) vs Jacob Warner (T-Fr) | 197 pounds

This match looks to have the longest odds of going down as Jacob Warner will need to go through Steven Holloway to reach Saturday’s finals. Warner’s wrestle off debut was highly impressive, downing fellow true freshman Connor Corbin, 21-6 in the first round. Holloway was the starting heavyweight for the Hawkeyes last season, and is an interesting addition to the 197 pound field after many assumed he would start the year at heavyweight.