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Kylie Welker takes Bout 1 of her 76kg final over Dymond Guilford (2-1) in a match that was wrestled to Guilford's preference - i.e. slowed by plenty of underhooks. On the shot clock mid-2nd (while trailing on criteria), Welker countered on the edge for the winning step out pt.

Real Woods is CLUTCH. The Iowa alum takes Round 1 of his 65kg final over veteran SR-level foe Joey McKenna, 7-3. Woods trailed 3-1 late before hitting a gnarly exposure on the edge w/ 0:14 left to regain the lead. He now needs just one more win to make his first SR World team.

Lee/Blades wrestle in moments on adjacent mats. Get your split-screen ready, folks!

Spencer Lee wins Round 1 at 57kg by a score of 7-2 over Penn State's Luke Lilledahl. Almost all of the scoring in that match took place in the 1st period - namely a takedown + two mean gut wrenches by Lee to blow things open early. They'll go again later this afternoon.

Kennedy Blades takes her opening bout at 68kg - prevailing in closer-than-anticipated 10-4 fashion over Brooklyn Hays. Blades actually trailed 2-1 at the break - getting slowed up in lots of upper body ties - but found her usual offense to take control in the 2nd period.

That'll do it for Session I at Final X. Past/present Hawkeyes went 6-1 in Round 1 with the only loss coming in an all-Iowa women's bout at 53kg. We're scheduled to resume action at 4pm CT with Round 2 bouts - which will roll immediately into Round 3 afterward (if necessary).

Iowa earns its first spot on Team USA courtesy of Felicity Taylor (53kg). She defeats fellow Hawkeye Brianna Gonzalez, 6-4 - scoring all six pts on a go-behind-to-trap-arm sequence early in the 2nd. Gonzalez hit a clean TD in each period, but Taylor gets it done in two matches.

Macey Kilty 👉 Team USA The Iowa grad racks up another 1st period 10-0 TF over Aine Drury, using 2 takedowns + 3 trap-arm guts to lock up her 3rd-consecutive SR 🌎 team spot at 65kg. And after bringing home 🥈/🥉 in 2023-24, she'll go for 🥇 this September in Zagreb, Croatia.

Back-to-back! Kylie Welker (76kg) follows Macey Kilty with a Final X sweep to make Team USA - pulling away from Dymond Guilford in a 9-1 decision. The Hawkeye even beat Guilford where she's best - going upper body in the 2nd period & adding two more exposures to slam the door.

You can call him ‘Worldwide’ Woods - because Real Woods just made his first SR 🌎 team thanks to this HUGE 4pt takedown. Thats was all the 2x Hawkeye All-American would need as he holds on for the 5-4 win to sweep Joey McKenna. He’ll rep the 🇺🇸 at 65kg this September.

As is often his custom, even in victory Spencer Lee appeared less-than-thrilled with his performance. Considering he just made his first SR 🌎 team in his first-ever attempt, maybe he could cut himself some slack 🤷‍♂️ Lee shuts out Luke Lilledahl (6-0) to sweep the series at 57kg

Despite taking an early knock on the head (& some injury time shortly thereafter), Kennedy Blades grinds out a 5-2 dec. over Brooklyn Hays to make her 1st SR 🌎 team. Next, the 21-year-old looks to improve upon her 2024 Olympic 🥈 when she takes on all comers at 68kg this fall.

What a showing from Iowa men's/women's wrestling today at Final X. The Hawkeyes max out with 6/6 possible World teamers - ALL OF THEM winning via 2-0 sweep. Spencer Lee (57kg) Real Woods (65kg) Felicity Taylor (53kg) Macey Kilty (65kg) Kennedy Blades (68kg) Kylie Welker (76kg)

In case any of you out there were curious about the mindset of Spencer Lee - this awesome interview tells you just about everything you need to know.

Hawkeye Tailgater Updates Will Slagle on3.com/teams/iowa-haw… Luke Brewer on3.com/teams/iowa-haw… Keysan Taylor on3.com/teams/iowa-haw… Peyton Miller on3.com/teams/iowa-haw… Carter Barrett on3.com/teams/iowa-haw… Blake Betton on3.com/teams/iowa-haw… Tommy Riordan

What a day it was, as a six-pack of past/present Hawkeyes earned spots on Team USA for the 2025 SR World Championships. I've got your full recap of Saturday's Final X event from every Iowa angle you can imagine. Story🔗: on3.com/teams/iowa-haw…

Holy hell, we've got wrestling schedule news in June! Here's Iowa's 2025-26 Big Ten slate - headlined by home duals vs PSU/MICH/MN, & roadies at NEB/OSU. I look forward to learning the actual dates for these matchups when Iowa announces them sometime in mid-October lol. (IYKYK)

NEW: Wagner transfer OF Bryce Phelps has committed to Iowa after he visited back on June 10th. Phelps was a First Team All-NEC selection last season for the Seahawks.

Look, I just couldn't help myself, OK? With Iowa announcing its 2025-26 Big Ten dual opponents earlier today, I've highlighted a nugget or two to get folks excited about all eight matchups (except for Michigan State - that was a tough sell...) Story 🔗: on3.com/teams/iowa-haw…