The Iowa State Cyclones wrestling enter the NCAA Wrestling Championships with something to prove.
Two years removed from a fourth-place national finish and one year removed from an injury-plagued 27th-place showing, Iowa State arrives in Cleveland with a healthy, experienced lineup and renewed expectations. The three-day tournament begins Thursday at Rocket Arena.
The Cyclones (12-2) are ranked No. 4 nationally and are one of six programs to qualify all 10 wrestlers.
Iowa State has qualified eight or
more wrestlers for the NCAA Championships in each of Dresser’s nine seasons, but this year’s group may be his most complete.
Heavyweight Yonger Bastida leads the way as the tournament’s top seed at 285 pounds. The senior is 25-0 this season, leads the nation with 15 technical falls and has allowed just two takedowns. Bastida is seeking his first national title after earning All-America honors in 2022.
At 197 pounds, Rocky Elam enters as the No. 2 seed with a record of 18-0. A four-time All-American, Elam is aiming for his first NCAA championship in his final collegiate season.
The Cyclones also feature No. 4 seed Anthony Echemendia at 141 pounds. The senior, who placed fifth nationally in 2024, has gone 19-3 this season after returning from a serious staph infection that threatened his career.
Six Iowa State wrestlers in the lineup have previously earned All-America honors, providing the experience needed for a deep tournament run. Two others — Garrett Grice and Connor Euton — will make their NCAA Championships debut.
Iowa State’s aggressive style could play a key role if they look to rock and roll in Cleveland. The Cyclones have earned bonus points in more than half of their victories this season, a critical factor in team scoring at the national tournament.
The program is seeking its 46th NCAA team trophy and first since 2024. Iowa State has won eight national titles, with the most recent national championship occurring in 1987.
