Completed Event: Wrestling versus Harold Nichols Cyclone Open on January 18, 2026 , , One Champ
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Harold Nichols Cyclone Open
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Iowa State University Athletics
Future Outlook: A look at ISU's Incoming Freshman Class
04.02.2026 | Wrestling
AMES, Iowa – With the 2025-26 wrestling season in the history books, it's time to look ahead to the future of Cyclone wrestling. Iowa State will bring in five exciting high school wrestlers, including four top-100 prospects, to its freshman class.
California native Coby Merrill is the highest-rated recruit of the incoming Cyclone class, joining ISU as the nation's No. 12 overall recruit and No. 2 heavyweight by FloWrestling. Oklahoma prep product Jake Miller is the No. 43 overall prospect while Valentine Popadiuc (No. 81) and David Perez (No. 82) were also rated in the top-100 on FloWrestling Class of 2026 Big Board. Four-time Iowa high school state placewinner Cale Vandermark, rated No. 181 by MatScouts, will also join the Cyclones.
"We're really excited about how our high school signing class turned out," head coach Kevin Dresser said. "There are some great young men in the class with high upside on the mat who are excited to get to Ames and get to work. We'll look to add a few guys in some key weights from the transfer portal this month as well, so stay tuned."
More on the incoming Cyclone freshmen can be read below.
Coby Merrill
Hometown: Ontario, Calif.
High School: John W. North
Projected Weight Class: 285
Prepped at John W. North High School for coaches Harlan Kistler Jr. and John Halajian … rated as the nation's No. 12 overall recruit by FloWrestling and No. 14 by MatScouts … No. 2 heavyweight prospect by FloWrestling … two-time California state champion (2025, '26) and four-time finalist … wrestled in several college opens as a high school senior … won open titles at the Grand View Open, Younes Hospitality Open and BVU Open … placed sixth at Soldier Salute and was runner-up at the Hastings Open … recorded four pins and a tech fall to win his second state title, including a 0:37 second pin in the finals … went 48-0 with 44 pins en route to winning his 2025 state title … shot up the recruiting rankings after a great summer of wrestling in 2025 ... defeated Michael Mocco, 4-1, at Who's Number One … 2025 Fargo Junior Freestyle All-American (runner-up) … placed third at 2025 U20 World Team Trials tournament … runner-up at 2025 Bill Farrell Memorial International.
Jake Miller
Hometown: Broken Arrow, Okla.
High School: Blackwell/Broken Arrow
Projected Weight Class: 157
Prepped at Blackwell High School for head coach Connor Cline and Broken Arrow High School for head coach Rodney Jones … ranked as the No. 37 overall prospect in the class of 2026 by MatScouts and No. 43 by FloWrestling … rated as the nation's No. 4 prep 144-pounder by FloWrestling … three-time Oklahoma state champion and four-time placewinner … won titles as a freshman, junior and senior … placed third as a sophomore … compiled a 140-18 prep record … posted a 23-2 record in his senior season … wrestled to a 45-3 season record in 2025 en route to his second state title … posted a 38-6 record as a sophomore and a 34-7 mark as a freshman … three-time Fargo Freestyle All-American … 2023 Fargo double All-American.
Valentine Popadiuc
Hometown: Albuquerque, New Mexico
High School: St. Pius X
Projected Weight Class: 141
Wrestled at St. Pius X for head coach Daniel Argueta … No. 81 overall prospect by FloWrestling and No. 98 by MatScouts … rated as the nation's No. 12 prep 138-pounder by FloWrestling … three-time New Mexico state champion and four-time finalist … compiled a 187-7 high school record … undefeated 48-0 senior season … went 41-3 in his junior season to win his second state title … four-year team captain … finished in eighth place at 138 pounds at the 2025 Super 32 Challenge, becoming the third New Mexico native to place in the history of the tournament … placed third at the 2025 Greco-Roman World Team Trials and eighth at the 2025 US Open … 2023 Greco-Roman Fargo All-American (Fourth Place).
David Perez
Hometown: Coventry, Rhode Island
High School: Ponaganset
Projected Weight Class: 165/174
Prepped at Ponaganset High School for coaches Dave Amato, Steve DiNoble, Steve Mineo and Michael Joyce … rated as the No. 82 overall prospect by FloWrestling and No. 83 by MatScouts … ranked No. 3 nationally at 165 pounds by FloWrestling ... two-time Rhode Island & New England Champion and three-time finalist … did not compete in his senior season … helped the Chieftains to three-straight state and New England team titles … 2025 Powerade placer (sixth place) … 2025 Elite 8 champion, going 7-0 with four pins … 2023 National High School Coaches Association nationals runner-up.
Cale Vandermark
Hometown: Ankeny, Iowa
High School: Ankeny Centennial
Projected Weight Class: 125/133
Prepped at Centennial High School for head coach Jay Groth … No. 181 overall prospect by MatScouts … four-time Iowa state placewinner … finished as runner-up as a junior and fourth as a senior, sophomore and freshman … compiled 160 wins in his prep career, including 77 falls and 26 tech falls … went 34-8 in his senior season … posted a 37-3 mark as a junior, finishing as a state runner-up … 2025 Fargo Junior Freestyle All-American (seventh place) … four-time academic all-conference selection.
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