The University of Iowa and Iowa State University wrestling teams were hit hard by the state’s sports-gambling investigation. The Hawkeyes lost four key cogs in their lineup; the Cyclones lost a Big 12 champion.
The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation probe resulted in two dozen athletes and student-managers facing criminal charges and led to NCAA investigations and suspensions. All of the Iowa and ISU wrestlers caught up in the probe are expected to miss the entire season due to NCAA ineligibility.
This week’s developments in the gambling saga make those penalties even more difficult to swallow. A new court filing alleges that DCI officials lied to their own agents to push forward the controversial investigation. The news came a day after a defense attorney accused DCI agent Brian Sanger of conducting a “warrantless” investigation into underage betting on the Iowa and ISU campuses.
“I knew this thing was a mess, and I knew it was mismanaged and I knew it was mishandled,” Iowa State wrestling coach Kevin Dresser said this week. “I’m glad it’s coming to light now, and I hope all these athletes at Iowa and Iowa State take the state of Iowa to the cleaners. I really do.”