IOWA CITY – The Iowa Athletics Department has issued a statement after a racial epithet was allegedly hurled at a Badger wrestler during a meet this past weekend.
The University of Iowa wrestling team wrapped its 2022 home schedule with a 29-6 win Saturday against No. 9 Wisconsin on Senior Day at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The Hawkeyes won eight-of-10 overall, held a 30-3 advantage in takedowns and outscored the Badgers 85-36 in match points.
However, at 149 ibs., #7 Austin Gomez of Wisconsin defeated un-ranked Vince Turk of Iowa, 3-2. Gomez claims that during the meet, Iowa fans were nasty to him and his family, and a racial epithet was hurled his way.
Here is a statement from the Iowa Athletics Department:
The Iowa Athletics Department was made aware of a situation that occurred on Saturday during our wrestling match at Carver-Hawkeye Arena against the University of Wisconsin. One of Wisconsin’s student-athletes reported a fan in the stands yelling racially insensitive remarks directed at he and his family. The University of Iowa denounces any act of hatred and is committed to providing a safe and equitable environment.
Iowa’s Athletic Administration has reached out to Wisconsin, and the student-athlete, to apologize for the incident and to let them know we are following up on this matter. Any individual found in violation of our fan behavior policy is subject to being banned from attending future Hawkeye athletic events.
Frances Gomez tweeted about the alleged incident involving her son, “Sometimes this wrestling goes to the next level. As my son walks out an Iowa fan calls him a spic! As mom that is terrible.”
“I’m living rent free in the heads of Iowa fans,” Gomez later said, with a laughing emoji.
Here are social media posts from Gomez (and his mother) about what took place:
I’m living rent free in the heads of Iowa fans 😅
— Austin Gomez (@agomez65mx) February 5, 2022
Sometimes this wrestling goes to the next level. As my son walks out an Iowa fan calls him a spic! As mom that is terrible. 😡
— Frances Gomez (@TheFranGable) February 5, 2022
I don’t owe this to anyone but I wanted to make a statement about what happened this past weekend at CHA. I appreciate all the support from everyone.
The Wisconsin faculty and I have been contacted and have a phone call set up for tomorrow with personnel from Iowa.
GO BADGERS pic.twitter.com/TwNeP0xPvh
— Austin Gomez (@agomez65mx) February 8, 2022
