This question really interested me, so I did some googling:
According to my research…
1997 Iowa Wrestling Team:
(Wt, Name, Place, Points scored) *bolded = champ*
118 Jesse Whitmer - 1st (22)
126 Mike Mena - 2nd (18)
134 Mark Ironside - 1st (23)
142 Kasey Gillis - 6th (15)
150 Lincoln McIlravy - 1st (24)
158 Joe Williams - 1st (25.5)
167 Mike Uker - 5th (14)
177 Tony Ersland - R12 (2)
190 Lee Fullhart - 1st (23)
HWT Wes Hand - R12 (3.5)
AA count: 8
Finalists count: 6
Champions count: 5
Total points: 170
Points scored by champs: 117.5
National Titles held by final opponents in weight order: Lindsey Durlacher (0); Steven Schmidt (0); Chris Bono (1); Tony Robie (0); John Kading (1)
I was too lazy to research the 2005 Oklahoma State team since NYWrestler already commented a bit on them.
Now to your questions:
1. I believe so. Lincoln McIlravy was a senior in 1997 when he won his 3rd title. Williams and Ironside were juniors; Fullhart was a sophomore. Unsure about Whitmer (thinking he was a senior).
2. Yes. Retherford, Nolf, Joseph, Hall, and Nickal scored an astonishing 128. Iowa’s 5 scored 117.5; I believe Oklahoma State’s 5 also scored 117.5 (someone please check me here because I am in disbelief that these 2 came out to be the same number)
3. Subjective question. If your criteria is # of championships held by finals opponent at that moment of time…Yes. Joseph overcoming IMar and Nickal dethroning Dean also makes me say yes. The 2005 Oklahoma State team overcame the trio of Mark Perry, Ben Askren, and Cole Konrad in the finals who would all become 2x Champs for 6 titles (but I think the 3 had a combined 0 titles at the time; OSU’s 3 were also all the favorites).
4. Is this the finest performance ever in NCAA history by 5 wrestlers [on the same team, in the same year]?
I’d say...probably (another subjective question). Retherford and Nolf torched the field. Joseph and Nickal took down two titans who I’d say virtually everyone thought would win besides die-hard PSU homers and wizards who could predict the future. Hall won as the 5 seed and as a true frosh.
Fun fact: The 2017 Penn State team, the 2005 Oklahoma State team, and the 1997 Iowa team all would have won the team title with just their 5 champs.
Another fun fact: The 2005 Oklahoma State team could have won the title with just 4 scoring wrestlers
