MADISON, Wisc. – Wisconsin wrestling opens the new year with Big Ten conference action on the road, traveling to Iowa City to face the No. 4 Hawkeyes on Friday, January 8, at 7 p.m., streaming on B1G+. The Badgers then return to the UW Field House for a Whiteout matchup against Maryland on Sunday, January 9, at 12 p.m. on BTN. Wisconsin enters the weekend looking to extend its 8–0 start, the program’s first undefeated opening stretch since the ’06–’07 season.

1. The Last Time Out 

Wisconsin carried its perfect start through the holiday stretch with a sweep of a home doubleheader and a strong finish at the UW Field House. The Badgers earned back-to-back dual victories over Lock Haven and Utah Valley. Cody Goebel and Luke Mechler provided steady decision wins, Joseph Zargo added a tech fall, and Wyatt Ingham delivered a shutout, while Braxton Amos sealed the opening dual with a key heavyweight decision. Wisconsin closed out the year with a win over Arizona State, highlighted by early pins from Ingham and Zan Fugitt, another dominant tech fall from Zargo, and a decision from Luke Condon to secure the victory for the Badgers.

2. Scouting the Iowa Hawkeyes 

Wisconsin heads to Iowa City to face a Hawkeye squad that enters the matchup with a 7–2 record and a No. 4 ranking in the latest NWCA Coaches Poll. Iowa holds a significant edge in the all-time series, leading 83–8–3, including a 42–4–1 record in duals contested in Iowa City, with Wisconsin’s most recent win in the series coming in a 21–14 decision on Jan. 27, 2007. The rivalry dates back to 1923, when Iowa earned an 8–6 victory in the first meeting.

At 125 pounds, Nicolar Rivera is 2–0 all-time against Iowa’s Dean Peterson, with both meetings coming during Peterson’s time at Rutgers. At 133, Zan Fugitt looks to reverse the series against Drake Ayala, who holds a 2–0 edge after a technical fall in last season’s dual and a semifinal win at the NCAA Championships. At 174, Luke Condon faces Patrick Kennedy, who won their lone meeting by technical fall in last year’s dual.

3. Scouting the Maryland Terrapins 

Maryland enters the matchup with a 4–1 record after picking up wins over Gardner-Webb, The Citadel, Morgan State, and American. The Terps earned a 24–13 victory over Wisconsin last season in College Park, their first win in the series since 2010. Maryland has also shown depth in tournament competition this year, highlighted by several strong performances at the Southern Scuffle. The Terrapins bring a balanced lineup into the dual as Wisconsin returns to the UW Field House for Big Ten action.

4. In the Rankings 

Seven Badgers earned spots in this week’s InterMat national rankings, while Wisconsin sits at No. 18 in the latest NWCA Coaches Poll.

No. 9 – Braxton Amos, 285

No. 11 – Nicolar Rivera, 125 

No. 14 – Zan Fugitt, 133 

No. 17 – Joseph Zargo, 149

No. 25 – Luke Mechler, 157 

No. 26 – Cody Goebel, 165

No. 28 – Wyatt Ingham, 197

5. Projected Lineups 

 




Wisconsin 
Weight
 Maryland




No. 11 Nicolar Rivera 
125
 Abram Cline or Presden Sanchez     


No.14 Zan Fugitt 
133
 No. 12 Braxton Brown


Carson Exferd 
141
 No. 33 Dario Lemus or Ryan Kennedy 


No. 17 Joseph Zargo 
149
 Michael Pizzuto or No. 12 Carter Young


No. 25 Luke Mechler 
157
 Mekhi Neal or Nathan Perry 


No. 26 Cody Goebel 
165
 Alex Uryniak or Sammy Gautreau 


Luke Condon 
174
 Dom Solis or Seth Digby    


Caleb Dennee or David Malin 
184
 No. 5 Jaxon Smith or Sepanta Ahanj-Elias    


No. 28 Wyatt Ingham 
197
 No. 17 Branson John or Anthony Bradley


No. 9 Braxton Amos 
HWT
 Oscar Williams or Jackson Schwab    

6. Up Next 

Wisconsin remains home next weekend, hosting Northwestern on January 16 at 7 p.m. on B1G+.

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