Cyclones complete 2015 wrestle offs

The Iowa State Cyclones held their annual wrestle offs tonight at the Lied Rec Center in Ames.The night was action packed with 10 matches featuring the 125, 141, 157 and 133 pound bouts.

The match started off at 285 pounds, with last years starter Quean Smith faced off against Johnston native Joe Scanlan. Smith built a quick 4-0 lead off a feet to back takedown and won a decision 5-1.

At 197 pounds, Waterloo West native and 2x state champion Marcus Harrington won a 11-5 bout over Duke Egli. Harrington looks to fill in for 4 year starter and Cyclone NCCA champion Kyven Gadson.

The 3rd match featured 184 pounder Dane Pestano of Hawaii vs Joe Teague of Algona. Pestano hit multiple high crotches in the 3rd period to win a major decision.

Returning NCAA qualifier Lelund Weatherspoon got things going for the Cyclones at 174 pounds, where he won a 10-5 decision over former Tri-Center prep Trevor Paulson. Weatherspoon was up to his old ways with dominating underdooks and slick re-attacks.

At 149 pounds Blayne Briceno and Wil Stetzel wrestled an action packed match. Stetzel stormed out to a 4-0 lead with a big throw; but Briceno was able to mount a comeback and eventually win by fall in the 2nd period.

In one of the feature matches of the night Nathan Boston was victorious with a 7-3 decision. The Cyclone freshman hit a slick shin-whizzer tilt for 5; and was able to hold off multiple attacks by Larson.

The 157 pound match perhaps provided the most drama of the night as freshman Logan Breitenbach won a tight 2-1 match over Renaldo Rodriguez-Spencer in double overtime sudden victory. Rodriguez-Spencer was in deep on Breitenbachs leg multiple times, but Breitenbach was able to ankle-roll out of the situation on more than one occasion. After a scoreless 7 minutes, overtime and a trade of escapes in the rideouts, Breitenbach won by a stalling call on Rodreiguez-Spencer to end the match.

At 141 pounds true sophomore Dante Rodriguez was able to win by fall over 4x Iowa State champion John Meeks. After a scoreless first period, Rodriguez went on top and was able to catch Meeks on his back for the fall.

In perhaps the most entertaining bout of the night, senior Earl Hall defeated true freshman Markus Simmons 8-7 at 133 pounds. Simmons stormed out to a 5-1 lead with riding time; but Hall was able to compose a comeback. Hall used a late 2nd period reversal and 2 3rd period takedowns to win the match 8-7.

Senior Tanner Weatherman ended the night in style; cradling senior Dusty Jentz in the first period for the fall.

The Cyclones will start their season on November 7th on the road vs. the 6th ranked Virginia Tech Hokies.