Once upon a time, Iowa State wrestler Vinny Zerban took note of the high-energy activities of his “five or six cousins.”

They were all tough. Unyielding and disciplined. So is that what drew him to the sport? Yes and …

“Nah,” said Zerban, the nation’s eighth-ranked 157-pounder. “They were just some badass dudes, and I wanted to be a badass.”

Mission accomplished — so far. 

Zerban, an All-American for Northern Colorado last season, has his sights set on even loftier goals in his one and only season as a Cyclone, but he remains process-oriented. Each practice constitutes a step that culminates in the next match. And for Zerban, that well-planned point-to-point climb runs through his former team on Friday night at Hilton Coliseum.

“It’s wild,” Zerban said of wrestling at Hilton. “I’ve never experienced anything like that, so I’m pretty excited for the upcoming ones.”

That term — wild — aptly describes Zerban’s otherwise even-keeled approach to the sport. His hair runs root atop his head, shooting off in every direction. His style is hard to pin down, but it’s led to three berths in the NCAA Championships and a 9-2 mark this season despite navigating through an array of injuries. 

“I’d say I’m calm, but I just throw everything out there,” Zerban said. “And, uh, people like to say funky.”

Iowa State coach Kevin Dresser definitely wanted that funk. He also plucked Zerban’s 125-pound All-American teammate, Stevo Poulin, from the transfer portal this season to augment a strong group of returners and newcomers headlined by top-ranked senior heavyweight Yonger Bastida and #2 197-pound Missouri transfer Rocky Elam.

“Two years ago, I wasn’t a portal guy, and then I got ran over by the portal,” said Dresser, whose lineup features top 13-ranked wrestlers at all 10 spots. “So I became a portal guy really quick. Supply and demand factors in and (Zerban and Poulin) have done a good job for us.”

Four of Zerban’s nine wins this season have come with bonus points attached, and his only two losses have come to #3 Kaleb Larkin of Arizona State, and fourth-ranked Ty Watters of West Virginia. He’s on track to get to nationals for a fourth time and ascend the podium accordingly, but he’s not focused on any of that.

 Zerban simply wants to retain badass status — and the rest will take care of itself.

“I’ll tell you, you go a drill day with him, get ready to get tired,” said the Cyclones’ 149-pounder Jacob Frost. “He’s a great partner to have.”

Jacked Frosts 

Iowa State twins Evan and Jacob Frost may now be separated by 16 pounds on the mat, but they’re both top-seven wrestlers aiming to become two-time All-Americans. Evan’s ranked fourth at 133, and Jacob is ranked #7 at 149. Their similarities — not just in appearance, but in their academic major (mechanical engineering), diet and daily routines — are well-documented. And even though they’re two weight classes apart, the twin factor remains strong.

“I know people like to think I get to eat a lot more than he can, but that’s really not the case,” Jacob Frost said.

Really?

“Obviously, I’m eating more than him, but if you go measure our meals, measure our workouts, like, we’re still doing cardio basically the same (and) our portions are relatively the same,” Jacob added.

Both Frosts will have big matches this weekend when the Cyclones face Northern Colorado at home on Friday and South Dakota State at Dresser’s hometown of Humboldt two days later.

Evan is slated to face #12 Dominick Serrano on Friday in what should be an entertaining bout.

“That’s worth the price of admission right there,” Dresser said. “If you want to a reason to come to Hilton (on Friday), come see that guy because he’s tough. We’ve gotta get to our offense right away. We’ve gotta feel good. If we feel good, we’ve got a big motor. If we’ve got a big motor, that guys’s gonna be in trouble, but Evan’s done a really good job. I don’t want to jinx him, but he’s done a really good job. He’s healthy right now and I think he’s excited about this match and that’s what you have to be when. You’re a little bit of the favorite. I mean, he’s not a huge favorite, but he’s a favorite.”

Jacob Frost will be a more decided favorite on Sunday afternoon in Humboldt against #21 Alek Martin of South Dakota State, but that doesn’t mean he’ll take him lightly.

“I’m still kind of taking it day by day and just letting things kind of be how they are, you know?” Frost said.

Humbled By Humboldt 

The Cyclones will wrestle in their coach’s hometown gym in Humboldt for the fifth straight season on Sunday. And the overall vibe never gets old — for Dresser or his wrestlers.

“I was one of those guys who when I went to college I didn’t come home much,” Dresser said. “(But now) I get back to Humboldt so much. It might be 10 times a year now. So I’ve rekindled a lot of friendships and (there are) a lot of really good people. I always tell people it’s a great place to grow up.”