Massoma Endene entered the NCAA transfer portal after he was dismissed from the Iowa Hawkeyes, as announced by the men’s wrestling team coach, Tom Brands. The Wartburg alum last competed in a dual with Iowa State, where he lost 8-2 to second-ranked Rocky Elam.
Endene was a standout wrestler at Wartburg College, competing in Division III. For three consecutive years, he earned the NCAA Division III National Championships at 197 lbs.
Massoma Endene Enters Transfer Portal After Stepping Down From Iowa Roster
Endene was a force to be reckoned with at Wartburg College, where he became a three-time NCAA Division III National Champion. There, he posted a career record of 76-1 with 33 pins, earning multiple American Rivers Conference MVP distinctions and other conference honors. Before transferring to Wartburg, he added two NJCAA All-American honors to his resume during his time at Iowa Lakes Community College.
After winning the National title in 2025, he transferred to Division I, signing with the University of Iowa program to compete in the 197-pound division. He was off to a good start, recording notable victories in dual meets, and also catapulted himself to the No. 4 rank in midseason.
Things took a turn when head coach Tom Brands announced that Endene was no longer on the Hawkeyes roster, offering no explanation for the decision. Brands wished him luck, while also saying that things didn’t work out. The news came just the week the wrestler welcomed his first child.
In a recent update, Endene entered the transfer portal for the 2026-27 season.
After Endene’s dismissal from the Hawkeyes, freshmen Brody Sampson and Harvey Ludington were the heavy favorites to take his place.
READ MORE: What Iowa Wrestling Coach Tom Brands Said About Massoma Endene No Longer Being on the Roster
Endene was a driving force in U23 freestyle competition. He represented Team USA at the 2024 U23 Pan-American Championships, where he dominated his bracket, posting technical falls and pins. He went 4–0, ultimately winning the 97 kg final, which helped his team earn nine individual gold medals.
He repeated his feat in the 2025 edition, competing in the same weight class, triumphing in the finals, and ultimately securing a spot on the Junior Pan American Games roster. Endene also earned the U23 National title in 2024, defeating Christopher Smith of Virginia Tech. His result earned him a spot on the World Team that year.
At the U23 World Championships, he competed against Mahdi Moharamali Hajiloueian Morafah in his bracket but lost, ultimately finishing seventh. He faced a deep international field of wrestlers and demonstrated his competitiveness, even though he was unable to contend for the title.
