Iowa Wrestling Loses Key Starter Ahead of Crucial Penn State Dual
Just days before their most anticipated dual of the season, Iowa Wrestling is facing a major shakeup. Massoma Endene, a top-five-ranked wrestler at 197 pounds and a fan favorite in his short time with the program, is no longer on the Hawkeyes' roster.
For a team that’s been searching for momentum since last year’s NCAA Championships-where they crowned just one individual champion-this is a significant blow. That lone title came from Stephen Buchanan, who has since graduated. Endene was brought in as a high-upside replacement, and early on, he looked every bit the part.
After transferring from Division III powerhouse Wartburg College, where he won three national titles, Endene made an immediate impact in Iowa City. He posted a 6-1 record this season and quickly became a spark plug in the lineup, earning the No. 4 national ranking at 197 pounds.
His performances included wins over three top-ranked opponents, and he showed he could hang with the best in Division I. Even after a single loss this year, his career record sits at an eye-popping 81-2-a testament to his dominance at the collegiate level.
But now, just as Iowa prepares to face No. 1 Penn State in a marquee showdown, Endene is out.
Head coach Tom Brands confirmed the news during media availability this week, offering a brief but telling statement: “Sometimes things work, and sometimes they don’t, and this is one that just didn’t work out.”
Endene hasn’t wrestled since the Cy-Hawk dual against Iowa State and recently welcomed his first child. While no additional details have been made public, he’s currently not responding to media inquiries.
The timing couldn’t be worse for the Hawkeyes. With Endene gone, Iowa will have to turn to youth at 197. That likely means redshirt freshman Brody Sampson or true freshman Harvey Ludington will step into the lineup-neither of whom has the experience or national ranking Endene brought to the mat.
This development adds another layer of intrigue-and challenge-for Iowa heading into Friday’s clash with the top-ranked Nittany Lions. The Hawkeyes were already looking to prove they could hang with the best in the country. Now, they’ll have to do it without one of their most promising wrestlers.
For a program with championship expectations, this is the kind of midseason curveball that tests depth, resilience, and leadership. How Iowa responds on Friday could tell us a lot about where this team is headed the rest of the year.