It’s been the season of the Ferrari Brothers. Although AJ Ferrari has been the name on the lips of wrestling fans for numerous reasons, this time it’s his younger brother Angelo Ferrari of the Iowa Hawkeyes who’s making waves with his latest statement. But if it’s the older or younger one, it’s clear that the Ferrari brothers spice up the college wrestling with their words or performances. And sometimes both!
Following his elder brother’s footsteps, Angelo Ferrari has slowly made his mark in college wrestling. Though he hasn’t been a regular so far in Iowa, things changed during the Hawkeyes’ dual against Oklahoma State, where Ferrari won a thrilling bout against OSU’s Dustin Plott. On paper, this was an upset; he was only a replacement for Gabe Arnold after all. But Ferrari—cool as a cucumber—wasn’t going to let expectations and past performances define what happens on the mat.
“You know, it’s just pushing through. That’s what you got to do. I did push through that, you know, I- it wasn’t my best match, but the saying I live by is on your worst night, you still got to be in the best in the country and that’s what my dad’s preached to me. And you know, that’s, I was ready for that moment.”
“If I’m taking down Stephen Buchanan, there’s no way I can’t take down that guy.”
Angelo Ferrari credited his elite competition in @Hawks_Wrestling practice for giving him confidence in his SV upset over No. 3 Dustin Plott #B1GWrestling pic.twitter.com/dNOxh2Y2kp
— Big Ten Wrestling (@B1GWrestling) February 24, 2025
Angelo Ferrari’s statement described his sentiments perfectly. Coming in with his courage and determination to get better every day has helped the Iowa Hawkeyes maintain their reputation in front of their home crowd. Ferrari’s performance was just one contribution but showed his NCAA readiness. He had one chance, and he certainly made the most of it. Now as the NCAA championships approach, it’s a matter of whether coach Nelson Brands will once again put his faith in his young athlete. But as one brother strives to establish himself in the team, the other brother looks to reclaim what was once his.
The ultimate dream for AJ and Angelo Ferrari
Angelo Ferrari’s late season inclusion in the team and his subsequent win might just be exactly what he needs in the lead up to the postseason. After all, he does seem to have peaked at the right time, with the experience proving to be highly valuable for him.
“Exciting. Fast. Explosive. And I, I don’t know. It’s hard to describe, man,” said Ferrari “There’s nowhere, like it and like, my two wrestling matches here. There’s no like, I mean, these are, my probably my 2 favorite matches of all time, honestly,” he added.
The Hawkeyes undoubtedly have a rich wrestling history and their win against OSU puts them second in the rankings behind the indomitable Nittany Lions. With the season they’ve had, they can certainly be expected to make a strong showing in the post-season. But it remains to be seen whether Angelo Ferrari can play a role then or if he will go back to being Gabe Arnold’s backup.
But what about his brother? Not to be outdone, AJ Ferrari has also set his sights on the NCAA championships with Cal State Bakersfield. In fact, it was only a short while ago when his unusual training methods caught the attention of fans on social media. Of course, training by going up and down the bleachers with coach Ernest James on your back will have that effect. It’s a statement of his own; a statement that effectively ensures that AJ Ferrari isn’t just in it for the memories or the experience, he’s in it reclaim the national crown in his comeback season.
With both the brothers making their ambitions known in the wrestling community, all eyes are now firmly swiveled in the direction of the postseason. Perhaps we won’t see more of Angelo Ferrari again or maybe AJ Ferrari falls short in his quest to the top. There’s nothing quite like twists and turns that March brings so for fans, it’s only a waiting game now. What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments below!
The post Akin to AJ Ferrari, Younger Brother Sends Powerful Message Close to NCAA Championships appeared first on EssentiallySports.