As someone who doesn't know wrestling at all, I took my family to the meet tonight. This was probably my third wrestling match ever. Thus, this is somewhat an outsiders perspective.
Takeway 1: Iowa's coaches are instigators who lack class. It was sad to me to watch this kind of behavior occur among public figures who receive extremely healthy salaries. There was jawing back and forth the entire meet between the benches and particularly coming from the Iowa bench (trying to be as objective as possible). Where has the civility and class gone? It reminds me of the political space where Trump's name-calling and ad hominem attacks have normalized this uncivil behavior and made it more likely to set a precedent people in the future will think it's ok. Is there something psychologically imbalanced with Brands? He was incredibly keyed up throughout the entire match and I have no idea why. Maybe he's just always on psycho mode??
Takeway 2: I've never been to an ISU v. Iowa competition in Hilton outside of probably 10 to 12 men's basketball games. It started to make my blood boil to hear all the Iowa fans chanting "Lets Go Hawks" throughout the match. It was probably half-and-half Cyclone and Hawk fans. I don't think I've ever been to an ISU v. Iowa game at Hilton that the Cyclones lost on the court and the Hawk fans overpowered in the stands at times. You never or rarely hear Hawk fans in Hilton at the hoops games because it's almost always a sell-out and the vast majority are Cyclones. That sucked.
So, hope everyone yells louder than usual this Thursday to get Hilton jacked. Right from the beginning. Be loud and deafening so that the Hawks can't communicate on offense and they get that "deer in the headlights" look I've seen in other players over time from Brian Bodicker to Jeff Boschee. I think an intimidating return at Hilton where the opposing players worry a little bit about their own safety is just what we need. Makes me want to get to Hilton already for Thursday seeing how the Hawk fans just invaded Hilton. Has to be annoying for you long time ISU wrestling fans to have to deal with that kind of invasion every-other-year.
Takeway 3: It seems like the Cyclone wrestlers are doing a little better than expected and I hope they'll get more fans to come throughout the year.