RELEASES: Iowa State Makes Four Major Announcements

[jcordova8]

Hi everyone!

Big day in Ames. Four major announcements from Iowa State Athletics today:

• Women’s wrestling is officially coming to Iowa State as the 18th sport.
• Kevin Dresser will serve as Director of Men’s and Women’s Wrestling.
• Brent Metcalf named head coach of men’s wrestling and Derek St. John the Associate head coach.
• Alli St. John becomes the first head coach in Cyclone women’s wrestling history

Official releases below:

Alli St. John/Women’s wrestling: https://ow.ly/fexc50YKzk8
Metcalf named head coach: https://ow.ly/ACPk50YKzka
Kevin Dresser becomes Director of Wrestling: https://ow.ly/kcZx50YKzkb

 

[Letterkenny]

Rough day for the Pollard haters.

 

[CYdTracked]

I don't really follow wrestling that much nor have I had a chance to watch the full presser but was anything mentioned about wrestling facilities? They put the plans for the former Iowa Attack building on hold but now with having 2 wrestling programs and Dresser stepping away from coaching to basically be the CEO of all that are their any talks about this announcement possibly leading to some momentum in fundraising to get that project started in the near future?

 

[Cypilot4805]

I don't really follow wrestling that much nor have I had a chance to watch the full presser but was anything mentioned about wrestling facilities? They put the plans for the former Iowa Attack building on hold but now with having 2 wrestling programs and Dresser stepping away from coaching to basically be the CEO of all that are their any talks about this announcement possibly leading to some momentum in fundraising to get that project started in the near future?

No.

 

[4xcy]

I don't really follow wrestling that much nor have I had a chance to watch the full presser but was anything mentioned about wrestling facilities? They put the plans for the former Iowa Attack building on hold but now with having 2 wrestling programs and Dresser stepping away from coaching to basically be the CEO of all that are their any talks about this announcement possibly leading to some momentum in fundraising to get that project started in the near future?

Women will be in refurbished Beyer Hall where the gymnasts were.

 

[hoosman]

I don’t have a dog in this fight, but I am just curious. We replaced women’s gymnastics with women’s wrestling. Is there more fan support, less expense, more available recruits?

 

[CyLyte2]

I don’t have a dog in this fight, but I am just curious. We replaced women’s gymnastics with women’s wrestling. Is there more fan support, less expense, more available recruits?

More fan support, probably not less expense, without a doubt more recruits.

 

[cyclonespiker33]

I don’t have a dog in this fight, but I am just curious. We replaced women’s gymnastics with women’s wrestling. Is there more fan support, less expense, more available recruits?

All of the above I assume

 

[Jkclone15]

I don’t have a dog in this fight, but I am just curious. We replaced women’s gymnastics with women’s wrestling. Is there more fan support, less expense, more available recruits?

2 less scholarships, much less travel cost, more fan support. If more money is spent, it's because there will be more engagement, not because it costs more to operate.

 

[theshadow]

Is there more fan support, less expense, more available recruits?

They could build a quality schedule and probably not even have to board a plane.

2026 NCAA results
1st - McKendree (IL)
2nd - Iowa
3rd - North Central (IL)
4th - Grand Valley State (MI)
9th - Quincy (IL)
11th - Wartburg
13th - Aurora (IL)
18th - Fort Hays State (KS)
20th - Simpson

2026 NAIA results
2nd - William Penn
3rd - Grand View

 

[isucy86]

Was there a timeline for recruiting discussed? Can St. John sign recruits this spring/summer and have them redshirt and wrestle unattached next season.

Then again, with the portal and potential implementation of 5 year rule, maybe that's a tough sale to prospective wrestlers.

 

[RagingCloner]

Rough day for the Pollard haters.

Honestly surprised these announcements weren’t made via JP video