Iowa wrestling adds All-Americans Jared Franek, Michael Caliendo in transfer portal

Iowa wrestling landed two All-Americans in the transfer portal: Jared Franek and Michael Caliendo from North Dakota State.

Amid a coaching change where Roger Kish left for Oklahoma and Obe Blanc took over at NDSU, Franek and Caliendo opted for a fresh start. The two wrestlers announced their moves on Instagram. Both wrestlers made the All-American podium in 2023 for the Bison.

“The last month has brought about a lot of change and tough decisions,” Franek wrote on Instagram. “After giving NDSU everything I had for the last 5 years, I entered the transfer portal with the intention of putting myself in the best position possible to win a national title.

“With that being said, I have decided to spend my last year at the University of Iowa. Special thanks to my coaches, teammates, and fans at NDSU for all the support over the years.”

Caliendo cited the coaching change as a big reason why he decided to move on.

“After a recent coaching change at NDSU I have decided to continue my wrestling career at the University of Iowa,” Caliendo wrote on Instagram. “GO HAWKS!!!! #gohawks.”

According to projections, Franek should go 157 once again next season while Caliendo will remain at 165 pounds. Last season, Cobe Siebrecht and Patrick Kennedy started at those two weights as a sophomore and redshirt freshman, respectively.

Both wrestlers were NCAA qualifiers with Siebrecht going 1-2 while Kennedy made the Round of 16, two wins shy of the All-American podium.

Franek is 93-20 in his career, getting 4th place at 157 last season while making it to the Blood Round the previous two tournaments. Caliendo went 29-5 and finished 7th last season in his first full year as the starter.

But there’s no doubt it’s a plus for Iowa and a blow to North Dakota State and Blanc.

“We want to continue to grow everywhere,” Blanc told On3 in May.. “That’s obviously putting All-Americans on the podium. We finished top eight academically in terms of GPA. We’ve been as high as number two. We’ve been top 10 these past four years. And so we want to continue to push there and have the highest GPA as a group in terms of that aspect and put as many guys on that podium (as possible). We want our RTC to continue to provide opportunities for our athletes outside of the collegiate season. 

“Something that’s super important to me too is reconnecting our alumni base and getting everyone involved and you know that’s super important to me. This community has been phenomenal, so I really want to get as many people connected with the program.”