In a thrilling showdown at the Hilton Coliseum in Ames, Iowa, on February 9, 2025, wrestling fans were treated to an intense battle between the No. 12 Iowa State Cyclones and the No. 25 Missouri Tigers. The atmosphere was electric as the two teams clashed in their final dual of the regular season, with Iowa State ultimately emerging victorious with a narrow 21-18 win, claiming victory in six of the ten dual matchups.
Jumping out to an early lead, Iowa State set the tone for the dual with a strong start from sophomore Ethan Perryman at 125 pounds. Perryman kicked things off with a 7-4 decision over Missouri’s Gage Walker, setting the stage for the Cyclones to dominate the early proceedings. Building on Perryman’s success, Iowa State notched two more decisions and a crucial win by fall to surge ahead 15-0 in the team standings.
Stepping up in place of teammate Evan Frost at 133 pounds, sophomore newcomer Garrett Grice made a statement in his first dual appearance by securing a victory by fall over Missouri’s Kade Moore. This win marked a significant milestone for Grice, as he notched the first dual victory of his career and showcased his potential as a rising star in the Iowa State lineup.
Continuing the momentum, familiar faces Jacob Frost and Paniro Johnson delivered impressive performances at 141 and 149 pounds, respectively. Frost extended his win streak with a hard-fought 9-8 decision over No. 16 Josh Edmond, while Johnson followed suit with a 4-1 decision over Missouri’s Logan Gioffre, further solidifying Iowa State’s early lead.
However, the tide quickly turned as Missouri mounted a comeback, capitalizing on Iowa State’s lead to narrow the gap in the team standings. Cyclone sophomore Cody Chittum faced a tough challenge against No. 15 Cam Steed, who secured a 9-3 decision to kickstart Missouri’s resurgence. The momentum continued as No. 1 Keegan O’Toole delivered a dominant performance, winning by fall over Iowa State’s Aiden Riggins and Cade Schmidt in quick succession, narrowing the score to 15-15 and setting the stage for a nail-biting finish.
In a pivotal moment, Iowa State regrouped and rallied late in the dual, securing crucial victories at 184 and 197 pounds to regain the lead. Senior Evan Bockman delivered a clutch 1-0 decision over No. 9 Colton Hawks, marking his second top-25 win of the dual and showcasing his resilience against a formidable opponent. The deciding factor came at 197 pounds, where sophomore Nate Schon stepped up to the challenge after missing the previous dual against Northern Iowa. Schon’s gritty 4-2 decision over Missouri’s Jesse Cassatt proved to be the difference-maker, sealing the win for Iowa State and solidifying their victory over the Tigers.
As the dust settled on a hard-fought battle, one final match took place as freshman Daniel Herrera represented Iowa State in a valiant effort. Despite his best efforts, Herrera fell short in a 9-3 decision, highlighting the competitive spirit and determination of both teams throughout the dual.
Looking ahead, Iowa State now sets its sights on the Big 12 Championships in Tulsa, Oklahoma, scheduled for March 8-9. The Cyclones will carry the momentum from their thrilling victory over Missouri as they prepare to face off against the conference’s top competitors in pursuit of championship glory.
