Cy-Hawk Series Dual: Weight by weight breakdown and predictions when Iowa wrestles at Iowa State

Third-ranked Iowa travels to No. 6 Iowa State for the 89th Cy-Hawk Series dual that dates back to 1912. They will tangle Sunday at Hilton Coliseum in Ames, being televised at noon on ESPN.

The Hawkeyes have won 20 straight in the rivalry and 35 of the last 36. Iowa owns a 70-16-2 overall record in the series, including a 59-4 in the last 63 meetings.

Iowa State’s last Cy-Hawk win came in 2004. The Cyclones last win in the series was in 2003. I believe our correspondent Rob Gray pointed out Kevin Dresser was still a coach at Christiansburg High School in Virginia the last time Iowa State beat Iowa.

Iowa Coach Tom Brands is 19-0 against Iowa State in Duals and the Hawkeyes have won all 14 duals since the Dan Gable Traveling Trophy was introduced.

Anyway, it is Thanksgiving Day and I’ll give you something else to chew on that won’t affect your waist or cholesterol.

Anyone who knows me is aware I hate predictions. Only one rule applies to predictions: They can only prove how much you don’t know. And I’m a hypocrite because I like others’ predictions and ask them to do them.

So, here are mine for the 2025 Iowa-Iowa State dual. Everything is based on initial probable lineups released earlier this week (Includes Flowrestling individual rankings).

125 - NO. 7 DEAN PETERSON (I) VS. NO. 9 STEVO POULIN OR CHRISTIAN CASTILLO (ISU)

An interesting possible matchup between two wrestlers to transfer into the rivalry. Peterson wrestled at Rutgers and Poulin was at Northern Colorado. They met at the NCAA Championships in March with Poulin eliminating Peterson from the field with a 6-4 decision in the blood round. Poulin scored five third-period points, getting the decisive takedown with 45 seconds left and a rideout. Peterson has two wins over ranked wrestlers this year, including a 5-4 decision over then-No. 2 Troy Spratley of Oklahoma State. He will be key for Iowa to keep its streak alive. Remaining stingy, capitalizing on scoring opportunities and closing out the match with be crucial. Castillo, a freshman and highly-touted high school recruit, is a wildcard here. The young talent could step in and is very capable.

Prediction: Peterson wins by decision; Iowa 3-0.

133 - NO. 3 DRAKE AYALA (I) VS. NO. 6 EVAN FROST (ISU)

One of the marquee matchups in this dual. Two years ago, Evan Frost had his breakout performance, beating a different Hawkeye from Fort Dodge. Ayala won 11-7 their match last year in Iowa City. Ayala, a two-time NCAA finalists, has had an inconsistent start at 4-2 but was better against Pitt, winning by major decision. Frost, a 2024 All-American, is expected to make his first appearance at 133 this season, wrestling at 141 for the Cyclone Invitational and the Nebraska-Kearney dual. He can be as good as anyone and seems to thrive at home. The first person to score will likely dictate the pace and flow of the match that could go either way.

Prediction: Ayala wins by decision. Iowa 6-0.

141 - NO. 10 NASIR BAILEY (I) VS. NO. 7 ANTHONY ECHEMENDIA (ISU)

The first weight that Iowa State is more of a favorite. A battle of 2024 All-Americans. Echemendia is coming off an injury-shortened season and Bailey transferred in from University of Arkansas-Little Rock. Both with something to prove and this match will be a good gauge for both. Echemendia is explosive and dangerous. Bailey has good leg attacks and is tough on top. Win the ties to set up offense will determine a lot. If it comes down to mat wrestling, Bailey could pull the mild upset.

Prediction: Echemendia wins by decision. Iowa 6-3.

149 - NO. 14 RYDER BLOCK (I) VS. NO. 4 PANIRO JOHNSON OR JACOB FROST (ISU)

Iowa State is another heavy favorite in this one. I don’t think it matters who takes the mat. According to Dresser’s news conference, Johnson won the first wrestle-off but Jacob Frost has won the last two. Does that mean Frost will wrestle Sunday? Simply, no. Coaches have a good grasp of matchups and situations. Either Johnson or Frost would be expected to win and I think they will. It should be tight and hard-fought, though. Block has been a pleasant surprise this season. He’s up a weight and healthier than ever. He hinted that he might be a little tougher and more mature than previous seasons, too. Block has wrestled well and will be competitive.

Prediction: Iowa State by decision. Dual tied, 6-6.

157 - NO. 8 JORDAN WILLIAMS OR VICTOR VOINOVICH III (I) VS. NO. 6 VINNY ZERBAN (ISU)

This is a must-win for Iowa State, going into the break with momentum and a lead. Zerban, an All-American for Northern Colorado last season, is aggressive and can impose his will on opponents with a straight-ahead style. He has 20 career technical falls and 11 major decisions but has three decisions to start his Cyclone career. Williams gives Iowa a chance to win at this weight but hasn’t wrestled since the Illinois dual at the National Duals Invitational. Voinovich looked strong against Pitt but this is a stronger foe.

Prediction: Zerban wins by decision. Iowa State 9-6.

165 - NO. 3 MICHAEL CALIENDO (I) VS. NO. 26 CONNOR EUTON OR AIDEN RIGGINS (ISU)

Remember last year when Connor Euton puckered Hawkeye fans last year by taking down Caliendo and even leading in the second period until injury struck? Euton gutted out the match and lost 12-7 but didn’t wrestle again last year. Euton has been fire through four matches, posting two technical falls, a pin and a major decision. Caliendo suffered a bump against Oklahoma State, losing to LaDarion Lockett. A peak Caliendo should win easily and could even score bonus points, which is likely going to make the difference.

Prediction: Caliendo by major. 10-9 Iowa.

174 - NO. 2 PATRICK KENNEDY (I) VS. NO. 14 M.J. GAITAN (ISU)

Contrast in styles. Kennedy is one of the grittiest grinders in college wrestling. He has talked about putting his work boots on and going about his workmanlike approach. It isn’t lip service and it works for him. Gaitan is a little more funky with a penchant for big moves. The two had a crazy bout two years ago with Kennedy coming back from injury building a big lead and having to hold on for a 14-13 decision after Gaitan stormed back in the third. Kennedy is hard to score on and has been solid at the start this season. Gaitan has been offensive and dominant so far this year. He has three major decisions and a pin. It might take something big for Gaitan to flip this for the Cyclones.

Prediction: Kennedy wins by decision. Iowa l3-9.

184 - NO. 1 ANGELO FERRARI (I) VS. NO. 10 ISAAC DEAN (ISU)

This is going to be a truthful but disappointing assessment of this weight. I won’t pretend to know a lot about Isaac Dean other than his accomplishments on paper and rankings. I don’t rememver seeing much in person at Rider, which makes him a bit of a wildcard. But, Ferrari had an impressive showing at the National Duals Invitational with four wins over ranked foes. His scrambling with Missouri’s Aoeden Sinclair was awesome and he controlled the matches in wins over No. 4 Zack Ryder (Oklahoma State) and No. 7 Dylan Fishback (Ohio State). Also, Ferrari had his first notable appearance in the Cy-Hawk Dual last year, beating Evan Bockman during his redshirt season. Ferrari hasn’t lit up the scoreboard this year but he’s a heavy favorite. If he opens it up, can he get bonus?

Prediction: Ferrari wins by decision. Iowa 16-9.

197 - NO. 4 MASSOMA ENDENE (I) VS. NO. 2 ROCKY ELAM (ISU)

If Ayala/Evan Frost is a marquee match, this one might be the most intriguing bout. Both are successful transfers with different backgrounds. Endene was a three-time NCAA Division III champion for Wartburg, while Elam was a four-time All-American at Missouri but didn’t compete last year. Endene has had some strong wins so far. He pinned Missouri’s Evan Bates and posted decisions over Oklahoma State’s No. 10 Cody Merrill and Pitt’s No. 4 Mac Stout. He has endeared himself to Hawkeye fans already and garnered attention from college wrestling fans across the country. Elam is a different level of a competitor. He dominated his way to the Cyclone Invitational title with two majors and a technical fall but did not wrestle against Kearney.

Prediction: Elam wins by decision. Iowa 16-12.

HWT. - NO. 6 BEN KUETER (I) VS. NO. 1 YONGER BASTIDA (ISU)

Bastida has enjoyed a lot of success in this dual. He is 4-0 all-time against the Hawkeyes, including a 7-2 decision over Kueter in last year’s Cy-Hawk Series dual at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Bastida only wrestled two matches last year, ending it early due to injury. He is 4-0 with an 8-2 win at the National Wrestling Coaches Association All-Star meet over Michigan’s No. 4 Taye Ghadiali and a 5-4 decision over Wisconsin’s No. 18 Braxton Amos. Kueter has overcome some injuries, coming back from hip surgery. He is slightly bigger, which should help him over the course of the season. Kueter is coming off a solid 2-0 win over Pitt’s No. 12 Dayton Pitzer. The dual will come down to this match. Hilton will be heated and hopping with fevered fans on both sides.

Prediction: Bastida wins by decision. Iowa wins, 16-15.