Iowa Hawkeyes vs Grand Valley State Lakers (Full Dual Video)

A Night of High-Stakes Showdowns and Statement Wins

The energy was electric as Iowa State University and Grand Valley State clashed in a highly anticipated top-five women’s wrestling dual. With five top-five individual matchups on the card, fans knew they were in for a night of elite-level competition, and the wrestlers did not disappoint. Each match was a showcase of high-powered offense, gritty defense, and dramatic momentum shifts—culminating in a dominant team victory for Iowa State, 35-7.

A Statement Performance from the Start

The night kicked off with third-ranked Starling Diaz taking on fourth-ranked Ryanna Suon in an early test of endurance and tactical execution. Diaz set the tone early, utilizing a relentless hand-fighting style and scoring on a push-out point within the first minute. However, Suon wasn’t going down without a fight. After absorbing early pressure, she found her moment with a four-point lateral drop, turning the match upside down and putting Diaz in danger. Despite a furious comeback attempt from Diaz, Suon held strong for the 5-4 upset, putting Grand Valley on the board with a crucial three team points.

However, Iowa State struck back immediately. Emily Gonzalez, one of the most dominant wrestlers in the nation, secured a technical fall victory over her opponent, showcasing aggressive offensive attacks and seamless transitions. This win not only built momentum but also set the stage for Iowa State’s aggressive game plan moving forward.

Gonzalez and Lang Showcase the "Iowa Style"

Iowa’s dominance continued as Brianna Gonzalez, the No. 1-ranked wrestler at 117 lbs, put on a masterclass against Kylie Tabalo. Gonzalez wasted no time, immediately securing a takedown followed by a high-pace transition into a turn, piling up points. Despite a challenge from Grand Valley’s corner, Gonzalez’s control was evident, and she rolled to an 11-0 tech fall victory—adding four more team points for Iowa.

The next bout at 124 lbs featured an intense back-and-forth battle between seventh-ranked Cali Lang and fourth-ranked Aspen Blasco. The matchup was a chess match, with Blasco seeking control with her powerful left-handed underhook, while Lang countered with explosive movement and well-timed attacks. In a thrilling final-minute scramble, Lang secured the deciding takedown, clinching a 2-2 victory on criteria and handing Blasco an upset loss. This win swung the team momentum further in Iowa’s favor, solidifying their foothold on the dual.

Pins, Tech Falls, and a Kennedy Blades Showcase

One of the most dominant performances of the night came from Emily Patnau (131 lbs), who steamrolled her opponent with a crushing pin after racking up multiple takedowns and exposure points. Her relentless offense was a reflection of the high-paced, aggressive Iowa mentality, securing a huge six team points in the process.

Then came Kennedy Blades at 170 lbs, the powerhouse phenom who continues to make jaws drop across the country. Blades wasted no time, scoring six points in the opening 30 seconds, locking up a cradle and finishing with a textbook pin in under a minute. Her victory was so explosive that the crowd barely had time to settle in before it was over—a true testament to the gap between her and the competition.

Kylie Welker Dominates at 180 lbs

One of the most anticipated matches of the night was supposed to feature No. 1-ranked Kylie Welker vs. No. 2-ranked Sabrina N—but an unexpected lineup change left Welker facing Emily Medford instead. While the matchup didn't carry the same ranking implications, Welker put on a clinic, delivering a blazing-fast takedown and multiple gut-wrenches to secure a 10-0 tech fall victory. Her explosive power and seamless transitions cemented her place as the nation’s top wrestler at 180 lbs.

A Dominant Closing for Iowa

In the final bout of the night, No. 6-ranked Olivia White took on Grand Valley’s Aaliyah Granberry (207 lbs). White controlled the match from start to finish, securing two takedowns and a passivity point on her way to a commanding 5-0 decision victory. While Granberry attempted to find success in her upper-body ties, White’s superior positioning and defensive discipline allowed her to shut down any comeback attempts.

With White’s win, Iowa officially closed out the night with a dominant 35-7 team victory, proving that their program is still one of the most elite in the country.

Key Takeaways from the Dual

🔥 Tempo & Pressure Win Matches – Iowa wrestlers consistently dictated the pace and pressure of every bout, overwhelming opponents with relentless movement and attacks.

🔥 Rankings Don’t Win Matches, Execution Does – The upsets from Raina Suon and Cali Lang proved that rankings are just numbers—game plans, adjustments, and grit ultimately decide who has their hand raised.

🔥 Top-Tier Wrestlers Separate Themselves – Kennedy Blades, Kylie Welker, and Brianna Gonzalez showed why they are considered some of the best in the nation, securing fast, dominant victories over strong opponents.

🔥 Grand Valley State Continues to Build – Despite the loss, Grand Valley State showed flashes of brilliance, particularly through Suon’s upset victory and Granberry’s tough, physical performance against White. This team is only going to get better as the season progresses.

Looking Ahead

For Iowa State, this dual solidified their national dominance as they continue their quest for an NCAA title. For Grand Valley State, there are bright spots to build on, and they will certainly be a force to watch at Nationals. With the season heating up, every tournament, match, and minute on the mat matters—and fans can expect even more fireworks as these elite wrestlers prepare for the championship push.