With the NCAA Tournament field set, Iowa State is sending eight of its ten starters to the NCAA Wrestling Championships for the second straight year. The first round kicks off Thursday, with Cyclone wrestlers competing across multiple weight classes.
133: No. 11 Evan Frost (19-4) vs. No. 22 Tyler Wells (11-8)
Sophomore Evan Frost secured an at-large bid at 133 pounds after a tough showing at the Big 12 Championships, where he placed seventh. Despite not being at full strength in that tournament, Frost finished the regular season with an impressive 19-4 record, including 11-1 in duals. His only dual loss came against Iowa’s Drake Ayala in an 11-7 decision. Head coach Kevin Dresser remains confident in Frost’s stamina and ability.
141: No. 9 Jacob Frost (30-7) vs. No. 24 Jason Miranda (20-7)
Unlike his twin brother, Jacob Frost didn’t crack the starting lineup until just before the Cliff Keen Invitational. Since then, he has been dominant at 141 pounds, wrestling 36 matches and going 12-2 in duals. His only two dual losses came against Northern Iowa’s No. 4 Cael Happel. Jacob is the only Cyclone this season whose losses have all come against top-10 opponents.
149: No. 4 Paniro Johnson (25-4) vs. No. 29 Jack Gioffre (9-6)
Sophomore Paniro Johnson enters as a two-time Big 12 champion and one of the highest-ranked Cyclones at No. 4 in the nation. Despite his ranking, Johnson tends to keep matches close, often taking them into overtime, where he has a 3-1 record this season. Dresser has encouraged him to be more aggressive in his scoring to make a deep tournament run.
157: No. 16 Cody Chittum (18-6) vs. No. 17 DJ McGee (21-5)
Originally expected to redshirt, sophomore Cody Chittum was forced into action due to injuries. He responded with a strong 17-6 season and a 10-1 dual record. Though he placed sixth at the Big 12 Championships, Dresser believes Chittum’s biggest challenge is staying calm and composed on the mat.
165: No. 30 Aiden Riggins (14-17) vs. No. 3 Mike Caliendo (20-2)
Sophomore Aiden Riggins began the season at 174 pounds but found his groove after dropping to 165. Despite a 14-17 record, he gained momentum with a fourth-place finish at the Big 12 Championships. His ability to battle through adversity makes him a wildcard in the tournament.
174: No. 23 MJ Gaitan (16-9) vs. No. 10 Alex Cramer (26-6)
Sophomore MJ Gaitan, now in his second NCAA appearance, enters the tournament with a 16-9 record. A skilled and high-risk wrestler, Gaitan’s flashy moves make him a dangerous opponent. After battling a knee injury before the Big 12 Championships, he remains confident in his ability to compete at a high level.
184: No. 13 Evan Bockman (14-7) vs. No. 20 Nick Fine (14-8)
Senior Evan Bockman, the lone upperclassman among Iowa State’s qualifiers, overcame illness earlier in the season to finish with a 14-7 record. Dresser has praised Bockman’s toughness and expects him to be a key competitor in the tournament.
285: No. 28 Daniel Herrera (26-13) vs. No. 5 Ben Kueter (18-6)
Freshman heavyweight Daniel Herrera stepped up in place of the injured Yonger Bastida and earned an at-large bid. With a 26-13 record, Herrera has held his own against top-ranked opponents. He now faces No. 5 Ben Kueter in the first round, a matchup that may mirror Bastida’s 7-2 win over Kueter earlier this season.
The NCAA Wrestling Championships begin Thursday at 11 a.m. ET on ESPNU and ESPN+. The second session follows at 6 p.m. on ESPN and ESPN+.
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