Brent Metcalf finished his high school career as a four-time state champion with a 228-0 career record and 156 pins. Metcalf also led his team to four consecutive state titles. As a senior, he was named Michigan’s “Mr. Wrestler” in 2005, was selected as second-team ASICS all-American, Wrestling USA all-American and a Wrestling USA scholastic all-American. A two-time FILA Junior World national champion, Metcalf captured the Most Outstanding Wrestler award in 2004 and was named the Outstanding Wrestler at 2005 Junior Freestyle Nationals. A six-time Junior National champion, he was also three-time Junior National Greco-Roman and Freestyle champion en route to earning double Most Outstanding Wrestler awards in 2005. He completed his senior season as a 2005 Dave Schultz High School Excellence regional award winner. Metcalf was also a cadet Greco-Roman national champion and freestyle runner-up.
After committing to coach Tom Brands at Virginia Tech, Metcalf followed Brands when he accepted the Iowa head coaching job. Metcalf entered the 2008 NCAA Wrestling Championships as the number one seeded wrestler in the 149 pound weight class. He had only one loss on the year. He won the 2008 NCAA wrestling championships in the 149 pound weight class and was named the tournament’s most outstanding wrestler. For his achievements Metcalf was named the winner of the 2008 Dan Hodge Trophy, awarded annually to the nation’s best college wrestler. Metcalf entered the 2009 NCAA Wrestling Championships with an unblemished 37-0 record and again garnered the number one seed for the 149 pound weight class before losing in the final to finish second. Metcalf went undefeated during the regular season at 149 lb. Brent then lost to Lance Palmer from Ohio State in the Big 10 Championships due to an end of the match scramble. Metcalf would avenge this by defeating Palmer 3-2 in the NCAA Finals to capture his second NCAA title. Metcalf finished his collegiate career with a record of 108-3 (.973), which is tied for the 4th highest winning percentage in NCAA wrestling history.
