Seniors Help Kick-Off Cyclone Wrestling Club Banquet

CLIVE, Iowa – The backbone of the Iowa State wrestling program was out in force at the 7-Flags Center Thursday for the Cyclone Wrestling Club Pre-Season Banquet. Fans heard from the four seniors on the Cyclone roster.  All-American Jon Reader, Nate Carr Jr., Chris Drouin and Kyle Slifka each addressed the crowd.

Iowa State head coach Kevin Jackson had words of support for each of his seniors.

“Jon has worked very hard and we are expecting a lot from him this season,” Jackson said. “I have watched him improve and his international experience this season will help him greatly.”

Drouin transferred to Iowa State from Arizona State, where he was an All-American and an Academic All-American.

“Chris is already a Cyclone and has fit right into our program,” Jackson said. “He has been great for all our guys in the room.”

Slifka spent the last four years on the Iowa State football team before joining the wrestling team for this season. He is a native of Cresco, the hometown of legendary Cyclone head coach Harold Nichols.

“Kyle is learning quickly after four years of football,” Jackson said. “He has been learning about turning the corner and the angles of attack.”

Carr is on a mission and is cutting down to 149 pounds this season.

“I have a lot of people looking out for me and I have high goals for the coming season,” Carr said.

The Cyclone Wrestling Club funds the post-graduate opportunities for Iowa State wrestlers like Travis and Trent Paulsen, Nate Gallick and Dave Zabriskie.