Not just one or two but three wrestlers of the Ferrari family are creating a big surge in the wrestling industry today. The NCAA player’s significance and prominence come from their careers achieved. The emphasis, however, comes on CSU Bakersfield recently joining AJ Ferrari, donning an NCAA Division I national championship title along with a Big 12 Conference champion honor with his former college, Oklahoma State University. With his commitment to Iowa last year, Angelo Ferrari’s top prospect recognition also comes in handy. With an immense number of colleges competing in the NCAA, CSU and Iowa have remained in competition for a long time.

In sports, rivalries are never-ending. One such big example comes in the form of Cal State and Iowa wrestling. For AJ, the rivalry comes a bit different with a past connection in the Hawkeyes program since a heated moment at the 2023 Soldier Salute finals match against Zach Glazier. Debarring the Hawkeyes from his college list since then, AJ has kept away his competition rivals, and now with his young brother linked to the team, the rivalry has been shaped into support.

Family Over Rivalry: AJ Ferrari’s support for Angelo

A second-ranked recruit of the 2024 class, Angelo Ferrari’s commitment to Iowa wrestling over his top 3 picks of Virginia Tech and Rutgers was a decision he made on his own. Respecting this, his brother AJ Ferrari has been showering immense support for the newly recruited, keeping aside his rivalry with the Hawkeyes. Making his Carver-Hawkeye debut this week, the big brother supported the youngster on social media on the success while appreciating his willingness to improve at every stage. “The Ferrari Mindset of True Champion. Never Satisfied. He was always looking to Improve. Angelo beat the #15 ranked guy in the country 8-2 as a True Freshman while making his Carver-Hawkeye Debut. And this is Just the Beginning.“

For Angelo, the commitment to Iowa was an easy decision. Impressed by the wrestling culture, head coach Tom Brands, from medical staff to the training, thoughtfully considered all these areas after visiting with brother Anthony. “Visiting Iowa, it’s like Alabama football,” Ferrari continued. “It’s such a dynasty. It has always been like that. It’s crazy.” The wrestler also looks forward to competing alongside his elder brother Anthony, who already committed to Hawks in March, and with a probable team-up with AJ had he chosen to join the Hawkeyes after making a controversial comeback in college wrestling.

The Cal State Bakersfield-Iowa rivalry in wrestling

With the 1,000th dual victory in NCAA history, the Iowa team has been at the top stop of college wrestlers, producing a dominant environment for his opponent. Dominating the N.C.A.A. Division I tournament for 10 years, Iowa stands victorious, winning five of them along with four additional championship titles. Their rivalry with Bakersfield, however, comes a bit different, initiating from the 2018 match in Kent State with Iowa’s victory by 36-3. Following that, the 2022 match in the Hilton Coliseum brought another victory for Iowa, claiming a 44-0 win over California State Bakersfield.

With Angelo Ferrari’s addition to Iowa, for AJ, the difficulty now comes with both of his brothers as part of his rival team. Representing Bakersfield, the real test now comes with a possible match set against Iowa and him competing against his brothers. Carrying a good bond with his brothers aside from their careers, Angelo’s emerging career with a strong debut comes as a challenge for AJ when maintaining his rivalry with the Iowa wrestling team.