What: #1 Levi Haines (Penn State), 11-0 vs #5 Jared Franek (Iowa), 18-2
When: Friday, February 9, 2024 at 8 p.m. CT (9 p.m. ET)
Where: Iowa City, Iowa (Carver-Hawkeye Arena)
How to watch: Big Ten Network/Fox Sports App

Levi Haines and Jared Franek have never faced each other in college, but there’s every reason to believe that Friday’s 157-pound showdown is the first in a trilogy of matches. Haines reached the 2023 national finals as a true freshman while Franek finished fourth after two Round of 12 finishes. 

The two could meet at the Big Ten Championship and, if all goes well for both, in the 2024 NCAA Championship finals. 

Franek is down to his super senior year following five seasons at North Dakota State. The Harwood, North Dakota, native has been a consistent and welcome addition to an Iowa squad during a grueling Big Ten schedule. 

Haines has an unblemished record following his second-place finish at nationals. His biggest win this season was a 2-1 win over Michigan’s Will Lewan — the same opponent who recently defeated Franek in tiebreakers. 

This is the highest-ranked wrestler either has faced this season, so a victory helps with seeding at Big Tens and nationals. Both have several common opponents but Northern Colorado’s Vince Zerban stands out. 

Zerban is currently ranked second with a 17-0 record.

Franek is 4-0 against Zerban and Haines is 0-1. 

The Nittany Lion star lost 8-6 in sudden victory at the Jonathan Kaloust Bearcat Open during the first tournament of his college career qne didn’t lose again until a 6-2 setback to North Carolina’s Austin O’Connor in the NCAA finals.

Franek and Zerban were in the Big 12 conference together where the former Bison star won 4-1, 6-2, 8-3, and 7-3. Much has transpired since last season, and styles make match-ups, but this is an indicator of how competitive this match can be.

Expect this to be a one-takedown game unless it goes to tiebreakers. Both hold position well and recent match scores indicate that scoring will be difficult. 

This win is especially important for Iowa before halftime. Penn State is favored in the first five weights but all five are winnable for the Hawkeyes. 

Will Haines stay perfect, or can Franek break through with the biggest win of his college career?

Last Five Matches

Levi Haines (Penn State)
WON — #23 Isaac Wilson (Ohio State), 11-3 on Feb. 2, 2024
WON — #32 Michael North (Maryland), 16-0 on Jan. 28, 2024
WON — #20 Chase Saldate (Michigan State), 7-6 TB2 on Jan. 21, 2024
WON — #12 Will Lewan (Michigan), 2-1 on Jan. 19, 2024
WON — Zack Rotkvich (Indiana), 17-0 on Jan. 14, 2024

Jared Franek (Iowa)
LOST — #12 Will Lewan (Michigan), 3-2 TB1 on Feb. 2, 2024
WON — #22 Trevor Chumbley (Northwestern), 4-1 SV on Jan. 28, 2024
WON — Joe Roberts (Illinois), 21-5 on Jan. 26, 2024
WON — #19 Joey Blaze (Purdue), 2-1 on Jan. 19, 2024
LOST — #4 Michael Blockhus (Minnesota), 5-4 on Jan. 15, 2024

Common College Opponents