JOHNSTON, IOWA - College wrestling makes its long-awaited return to Iowa PBS in 2025, featuring five exciting dual meets showcasing top programs from Division II, Division III, and the NAIA. The season kicks off next Thursday, January 16, at 7:00 p.m., with a marquee matchup between top-ranked NAIA powerhouse Grand View University and 5th-ranked NCAA Division II contender University of Nebraska Kearney at Sisam Arena in Des Moines, Iowa.
Grand View holds a 2-1 edge in the all-time series against Nebraska Kearney. Last season, UNK claimed a narrow 18-17 victory at home, but the Vikings delivered a commanding 34-3 win the last time the teams squared off at Sisam Arena. With both programs consistently ranked among the nation's best, this matchup promises to set the tone for an exciting season of small college wrestling.
"Bringing College Wrestling back to Iowa PBS is a homecoming for both the sport and our statewide network," said Iowa PBS General Manager and Executive Director Andrew Batt. "We're proud to showcase a celebrated broadcast series with deep ties to Iowa's sports history to a new generation of viewers."
The coverage will feature four men's dual meets and one women's dual meet. The meets will feature NCAA Division II, Division III, and NAIA schools. Coverage will begin on Thursday, Jan. 16, and the final meet will be held on Feb. 11. Each dual meet will begin at 7 p.m., broadcasting live on statewide Iowa PBS and live-streamed on Facebook, YouTube, and iowapbs.org.
Along with exceptional coverage of College Wrestling, the call will feature the legendary duo Tim "The Voice of College Wrestling" Johnson and Jim Miller.
Johnson has covered more than 300 wrestling meets for Iowa PBS, ESPN, and the Big Ten Network. In 2007, the National Wrestling Media Association named him broadcaster of the year, and in 2009, Wrestling Insider News named him journalist of the year.
Miller is a 10-time NCAA Division III champion coach for Wartburg College and a five-time National Coach of the Year. He coached 37 individual national champions, 147 All-Americans, and 72 NWCA Academic All-Americans at Wartburg. In 2001, the Iowa Chapter of the Hall of Fame awarded Miller the Lifetime Service to Wrestling award. He was inducted into the Wartburg Athletic Hall of Fame in 2019.
"Thousands of Iowans grew up with College Wrestling on Iowa Public Television [now Iowa PBS], and we are back in 2025," said College Wrestling announcer Jim Miller. "I couldn't be more excited to highlight some of the best small college programs in the nation... let's go!"
"I am so excited and honored to be back where it all started for me 38 years ago, the ever-popular College Wrestling on Iowa PBS," said play-by-play announcer Tim Johnson. "What a treat for all Iowans to have the opportunity to tune in each week and see the best small college wrestling in the nation. America needs wrestling."
Fans can buy tickets for the highly anticipated match-up here.
Don't miss the return of college wrestling on Iowa PBS, where some of the sport's most competitive teams and talented athletes take center stage.
Stay updated with all things Vikings by following Grand View Athletics on Facebook /GrandViewAthletics, X (Twitter) @VikingAthletics, and Instagram @Viking.Athletics!
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