Iowa State wrestling added two new members to its program on Sept. 4, with Michigan’s Caden Horwath and Appalachian State’s Carson Floyd officially becoming Cyclones.
Floyd is the more well-known wrestler, having qualified for the 2025 NCAA Championships at 197 pounds. He owned a 28-10 record last season and has a 66-27 career record with the Mountaineers. Missouri transfer Rocky Elam stands to hold down the starting spot at 197, but the Cyclones now have additional flexibility.
Since Floyd has not redshirted previously, he would be able to this year and potentially enter the starting lineup next season after Elam graduates. Should Elam have injury issues as he has previously, Floyd could be called upon.
Horwath is a sophomore 125-pounder who last competed for the Wolverines. The Michigan native was a highly-rated prospect as a four-time state champion with a 122-3 record and a two-time Fargo finalist. This will give Iowa State increased depth at 125 following Stevo Poulin’s graduation at the end of the 2025-26 season. The program will likely look to either Horwath, freshman Christian Castillo or Adrian Meza to fill the role.
“We’re excited that Caden and Carson are Cyclones,” Iowa State coach Kevin Dresser said in a release. “Both of these guys have experience in Division I wrestling rooms and will raise the level of competition inside of our room. I’m looking forward to helping them grow as wrestlers and watching them chase down their goals.”
The Cyclones have made a plethora of additions this offseason, with seven total athletes transferring into the program. Elam, Rider’s Issac Dean and Pratt Community College’s Melton Powe were the first three to come to Ames. In June they were joined by Poulin and Vinny Zerban from Northern Colorado, and now Horwath and Floyd. Powe, Horwath and Floyd project to be depth additions this season, while Elam, Dean, Poulin and Zerban stand to be factors in the starting lineup.
Eli McKown covers high school sports and wrestling for the Des Moines Register. Contact him at Emckown@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @EMcKown23.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa State wrestling makes two additions to roster ahead of 2025-26 season
Reporting by Eli McKown, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
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