The stage is set for a thrilling showdown as No. 17 Drake Ayala of the University of Iowa faces off against No. 8 Kysen Terukina of Iowa State in the 125-pound weight class in the much-anticipated Cy-Hawk wrestling dual. The historical significance of this weight class for the Hawkeyes adds to the excitement surrounding Ayala's quest for redemption after a previous loss. Terukina, on the other hand, comes into the match with momentum on his side, having dominated his last opponent.

Ayala boasts a perfect 4-0 record against Iowa State in his career, but he has never faced the current version of Terukina, who is healthy, strong, and dynamic. The stakes are high for Ayala, as a win here would not only silence the cheering Hilton Coliseum but also provide the kind of start that is expected from Iowa's 125-pound wrestler. However, it will not be an easy task, as Terukina aims to continue his surge in the rankings and make his mark in this fierce rivalry.

Moving up to the 133-pound weight class, No. 8 Brody Teske of Iowa faces off against No. 19 Evan Frost of Iowa State. Although Teske holds the advantage based on rankings, Frost is a formidable opponent who has displayed his skills by majoring his previous dual opponents. Teske, with his experience and determination to become an All-American in his final season, will need a victory against a top-20 athlete like Frost to progress towards his goal.

In the 141-pound weight class, No. 1 Real Woods of Iowa takes on No. 19 Anthony Echemendia of Iowa State. Woods, a NCAA finalist in 2023, has been a force to reckon with since joining the Hawkeyes. Echemendia, a freestyle specialist with an impressive undefeated record, brings a unique story to the mat as a Cuban-born wrestler pursuing his goals in the United States. The clash between these two top-ranked competitors promises to be intense, with Woods aiming to continue his winning streak and Echemendia seeking to make his mark on the national stage.

At 149 pounds, No. 9 Victor Voinovich of Iowa faces off against No. 14 Casey Swiderski of Iowa State. Voinovich, backed by his higher ranking, seeks to secure a victory against Swiderski, known for wrestling close matches against any competition. Swiderski, who has had previous success against top-ranked opponents, presents a tough challenge as both athletes strive for All-American honors.

The 157-pound weight class features No. 2 Jared Franek of Iowa against No. 18 Cody Chittum of Iowa State. This match not only showcases the top-ranked Franek but also brings a significant storyline as Chittum, a former teammate of Franek, now competes against his former team. Franek, who has been undefeated since joining the Hawkeyes, aims to continue his podium run, while Chittum seeks to make a statement against a proven name in the 157-pound weight class.

The 165-pound weight class pits No. 5 Mikey Caliendo of Iowa against No. 2 David Carr of Iowa State. This match holds the potential to be a turning point for the Cyclones, with Carr, a former NCAA champion, looking to set the momentum for his team. Caliendo, an Iowa All-American, has proven his ability to defeat former NCAA champions in the past and will be determined to stop Carr's efforts.

In the 174-pound weight class, the Hawks have multiple possible starters. True freshman Gabe Arnold and redshirt freshman Aiden Riggins are both options against Iowa State's No. 21 MJ Gaitan. The decision on the starter may come down to the wire, with Arnold coming off a notable win over an All-American in his debut dual for the Hawks.

At 184 pounds, No. 30 Brennan Swafford of Iowa faces off against No. 6 Will Feldkamp of Iowa State. The addition of Feldkamp, a transfer from Clarion, has bolstered the Cyclones' lineup and he aims to continue his dominant performance against Swafford, who is off to a strong start in his first year as a varsity starter for Iowa.

The 197-pound weight class features No. 22 Zach Glazier of Iowa against No. 24 Julien Broderson of Iowa State. Glazier, in his first year as a starter, is expected to put up a strong performance to counter the upperweight momentum of the Cyclones. Broderson, a veteran starter for Iowa State, is determined to qualify for the NCAA tournament for the first time in his career.

The heavyweight bout will see Bradley Hill of Iowa take on No. 7 Yonger Bastida of Iowa State. Bastida, an All-American and the anchor for the Cyclones, aims to secure bonus points against Hill. Hill, a redshirt freshman, will look to challenge Bastida and prevent him from earning those bonus points in a crucial match.

With an array of top-ranked competitors and intriguing storylines, the Cy-Hawk wrestling dual promises to be a fierce battle between the University of Iowa and Iowa State. As the wrestlers take to the mat in pursuit of victory, fans eagerly await the outcome of this highly-anticipated rivalry clash.