Iowa State wrestler Gabe Arnold sent a strong message while keeping his eye on the upcoming US Open tournament. Arnold is currently competing for the Iowa State Wrestling program as a sophomore after returning in 2025.
At the 2024 Soldier Salute tournament in Coralville, Arnold was set to lock horns against then true freshman Angelo Ferrari in the 184-pound division. However, the wrestler medically forfeited from the faceoff and made his return next year.
The 2025 season brought new challenges for the wrestler with a second-round finish at the NCAA Championships and a third-round exit at wrestlebacks. He was also dismissed from the team near the conclusion of the 2025 season.
Associate head coach Terry Brands highlighted that his elimination wasn’t a result of disciplinary actions, but he wasn’t following the team’s ways of doing certain things. When Arnold was ready to do things the team’s way, the program accepted him. In a recent interview, he reflected on the series of events and highlighted his vision of never leaving the team.
Gabe Arnold reveals the weight category he will compete in at the 2026 US Open Wrestling Championships
Gabe Arnold will join the long list of elite wrestlers, including Eric Barnett, Jax Forrest, Seth Gross, Vitali Arujau, Bo Bassett, David Carr, Cody Merrill, and Melvin Miller, who will compete at the 2026 US Open Wrestling Championships, which serves as the qualifying event for Final X. Arnold stated that he will compete in the 79kg category.
“I’m already getting ready. We’re preparing for the US Open. we got a decent amount of guys going. Myself included, obviously we got Buchanan and DeSanto and Spencer going there to, make it to Final X or, well, Buchanan doesn’t get, well, Buchanan gets to go to Final X. Winner of US Open gets to go to Final X. So yeah, most of the guys, yeah, so most of those guys who win, or will go to Final X except for maybe the Santo if I’m not mistaken, is 61 kg.”
“We’re all, you know, it’s onward. I’ll be going 79 there, and I’m looking forward to, to wrestling at the senior level, I mean, because it’s something, it’s not one of those things that you dream about.”
Arnold won the 79 kg national title at the 2023 U.S. Open Championships held in Las Vegas.
Also read:
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in tennis, college football, men’s college basketball, women’s college basketball, and college baseball!
