The Unexpected Rise Of Iowa Wrestling's Cobe Siebrecht
The Unexpected Rise Of Iowa Wrestling's Cobe Siebrecht
Iowa's Cobe Siebrecht was among four wrestlers vying for the starting job at 157 pounds. Now, he's in a position to be an All-American in March.
What do Jake Beeson of Pratt Community College and Christian Kanzler of the University of Illinois have in common?
Answer: Each notched a college win over the University of Iowa’s Cobe Siebrecht.
Siebrecht joined Bretlie Reyna, Caleb Rathjen, and Joe Kelly as potential 157-pound starters at the beginning of the season. Now, the spot is securely Siebrecht's. And he’s in a position to reach the podium at the NCAA championships in March.
The Lisbon, Iowa, native has back-to-back wins over returning All-Americans, which places him squarely in the conversation as a contender at the weight.
Iowa’s latest star is 10-3 on the season with victories over Minnesota’s Brayton Lee on February 3 and Michigan’s Will Lewan on February 10.
Lewan, a 2017 U17 World champion, placed fifth at the NCAA Championships last year while Lee, a 2019 U20 World teamer, placed sixth in 2021.
Contrast that with Siebrecht, a one-time 1A state champion, who was 6-3 over the past two seasons at 149 pounds.
The 5-foot-10 Seibrecht’s unorthodox and fun style has made him a fan favorite with Hawkeye faithful. He made his presence known with a fall over Penn’s Anthony Artalona early in the season, and he delivers excitement during most of his matches.
His wild sudden-victory counter for a takedown against the stingy Lewan was a sight to behold. Even Siebrecht had a hard time describing it in the post-match press conference.
“I’d have to go rewatch it,” Siebrecht said. “He was in on my leg and I kind of swam out and around — he was kind of finishing a shot — and I just kind of cartwheeled over him. I don’t know. I just kind of did it.
“I guess I just kind of feel what’s going on and do what I can to score and not give up that takedown in overtime.”
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— Iowa Hawkeye Wrestling (@Hawks_Wrestling) February 11, 2023
#13 Cobe Siebrecht gets the sudden victory over #10 Will Lewan, 3-1.#Hawkeyes 19, Michigan 0 pic.twitter.com/QVnJgeRnRr
Siebrecht continues to be a success story that Hawkeye fans love: a homegrown Iowa product that was raised just up the road from Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The sophomore All-American contender can add to his growing popularity when his team takes on Oklahoma State on February 19 for the final dual of the season.