It wasn’t the start the Cyclones were hoping for to start off the 2015-16 season as they opened in Blacksburg, Virginia against a top five Virginia Tech Hokie team. Coming into the matchup the Cyclones were figured to be the underdog without 2015 NCAA qualifier Gabe Moreno (149) and they were also without freshman Marcus Harrington (197) which certainly would have had an effect on the team score, but alas, the final score was 32-3 in favor of the Hokies.
The lone winner in the Cyclone lineup was none other than 2014 All-American Earl Hall, who needed overtime to take out the top 20 ranked Kevin Norstrem at 133 pounds.
The dual opened with what looked like a promising start when freshman Nathan Boston was tied 2-2 with All-American Joey Dance, but in the end riding time ended up being the back breaker for the freshman.
Virginia Tech’s three returning 2015 All-Americans took care of business at 157, 174, and 285 and also notched a huge upset at 165 pounds when #6 Tanner Weatherman went down to true freshman David McFadden 4-3 in his debut at his new weight. Junior John Meeks also had a nice return to the Cyclone lineup at 141, though he too was unable to finish in overtime, losing 3-1 to freshman Solomon Chishko.
While this certainly wasn’t the start that coach Kevin Jackson and the Cyclones were working for, the good news is that it is only November leaving plenty of time for adjustments. If these two teams were to meet again in the new year, I would expect a much different outcome than a Virginia Tech runaway. The Hokies have assembled perhaps one of their best teams in school history, but with Moreno, Harrington, and JUCO national champ Pat Downey (184) all missing from the lineup, things will most definitely go up from here for the Cyclones.
Iowa State will return to the mat this Thursday when they take on Midland and Boise State at home before hosting the Harrold Nichols Open next weekend.
125: Joey Dance (VT) dec. Nathan Boston (ISU), 3-2 (1:41 RT)
133: Earl Hall (ISU) dec. Kevin Norstrem (VT), 3-1 (SV-1)
141: Solomon Chishko (VT) dec. John Meeks (ISU), 3-1 (SV-1)
149: Sal Mastriani (VT) dec. Blayne Briceno (ISU), 6-2 (1:15 RT)
157: Nick Brascetta (VT) maj. dec. Logan Breitenbach (ISU), 17-6 (3:18 RT)
165: Dave McFadden (VT) dec. Tanner Weatherman (ISU) 4-3
174: Zach Epperly (VT) dec. Lelund Weatherspoon (ISU), 4-1 (2:00 RT)
184: Zack Zavatsky (VT) dec. Dane Pestano (ISU), 13-6 (3:33 RT)
197: Jared Haught (VT) (WBF)
285: Ty Walz (VT) maj. dec. Quean Smith (ISU), 21-7 (3:00 RT)