The anticipation is growing. Number 1 versus number 2 in a contest that won’t determine, but may well influence the outcome of a national championship. No – not Florida and Alabama for the SEC football championship. It’s time again for the annual dual wrestling meet between The University of Iowa Hawkeyes and the Iowa State Cyclones – one of the greatest rivalries in all of sports. ESPN has included this event on its list of “101 Things All Sports Fans Should Do Before They Die”. If you’re a wrestling fan and have never attended – shame on you.
That's the opening paragraph of amateur wrestling fan Jim Brown's The View from Section GG blog.
Iowa is the No. 1 ranked college wrestling program in the country, and defending NCAA Division I team titlewinners. Iowa State is ranked No. 2 in the nation. They meet on the mat this Saturday, December 6 at Hilton Coliseum at Iowa State.
Over the years, the Iowa vs Iowa State wrestling dual meet has become a must-attend event. It's a great in-state rivalry that rivals some of the best in any state, in any sport. In the past few years, the dual has become even more exciting, as the respective coaching staffs -- led by Iowa's Tom Brands, and Iowa State's new head coach Kevin Jackson -- get their wrestlers fired up for the Battle of the State of Iowa.
As usual, Jim Brown writes with a powerful blend of passion and clarity, with some history thrown in as well. And he tells why this year's Iowa vs Iowa State dual is more significant than ever. Check it out for yourself.
Resources
The View from Section GG; When 1 Meets 2
TheMat.com's college wrestling scores for the week of November 23-29
College Wrestling 101: Links to articles answering basic questions about wrestling, including rules, scoring, uniforms, more
Follow College Wrestling Examiner Mark Palmer on Twitter
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