The Iowa Hawkeyes hosted their annual Iowa City Duals – and their Big Ten Opener – and to no surprise they were able to sweep the competition 186-9, and winning the last 34 consecutive matches. Iowa defeated Maryland 36-9, Grand Canyon University 44-0, Iowa Central Community College 54-0, and Cornell College 58-0.
For all of the Iowa dominance on display today, the Maryland dual failed to answer any of the three question marks the Iowa lineup was facing heading into competition. Tom Brands has been looking for someone to step up and take the reigns at 141, 157, and 165 but freshmen Logan Ryan (141) and Burke Paddock (165), along with senior Edwin Cooper (157) failed to go out and make the statement that they were here to stay. All three Hawkeye failed to win their match against their Big Ten opponents with Alfred Bannister taking out Ryan 8-5, Cooper falling to NCAA qualifier Lou Mascola 8-6, and Paddock dropping his season debut 9-5.
But there were positives in the dual. Thomas Gilman opened the day off with a 24-7 technical fall and teammate Cory Clark was able to one up him a match later with a second period fall over Tyler Goodwin. Brandon Sorensen (149) and Alex Meyer (174) each picked up major decisions, Nathan Burak added a technical fall at 197, and Sammy Brooks joined Clark in the pin column with a first period fall at 184. Sam Stoll‘s (285)debut match in Carver would have to wait as he received a forfeit.
The Hawkeyes then proceeded to pick up bonus wins in bunches from there on out. Against Grand Canyon Gilman picked up career win #50 with a fall and Brooks joined the club later in the dual with a technical fall. Winning by major decision was Sorensen, Cooper, and Burak, and when Stoll finally took to the mat vs an opponent he earned his first career fall in Carver. Jake Kadel got the nod at 141 with a 6-3 win, and Patrick Rhoads made appeared in his second dual on the year with a technical fall. Southeast Polk alums Clark and Meyer both won decision.
Every Hawkeye won by bonus in their matches against both Iowa Central Community College and Cornell College. Hawkeye freshman Skyler St. John made his debut winning 20-10 at 157 pounds. The St. John family moved to 32-1 inside Carver, as Skyler’s brother Derek was 31-1 across four seasons at 157 for the Hawkeyes. For more on the Iowa Central and Cornell duals visit the play-by-play threads linked.
One thing remains for certain some work is still needed at the 141, 157, and 165 weights and no wrestler that started today should feel 100% comfortable Brands will be giving them the start against Iowa State next weekend. Topher Carton has to remain in the picture at 141 though the junior has been dealing with a few injuries. St. John missed most of his redshirt season due to injuries and is reportedly working his way into competition this season and his performance against Iowa Central may be what Brands need to see that he is ready to challenge for the spot.
Iowa State features a ranked wrestler at both 141 and 165 pounds, which will provide the opportunity for a Hawkeye to get a statement win.
#2 IOWA 36, Maryland 9
125 — #2 Thomas Gilman (I) tech. fall Jhared Simmons (M), 24-7; 5-0
133 — #2 Cory Clark (I) pinned Tyler Goodwin (M), 4:06; 11-0
141 — Alfred Bannister (M) dec. Logan Ryan (I), 8-5; 11-3
149 — #3 Brandon Sorensen (I) maj. dec. Wade Hodges (M), 12-2; 15-3
157 — #20 Lou Mascola (M) dec. Edwin Cooper, Jr. (I), 8-6; 15-6
165 — Brendan Burnham (M) dec. Burke Paddock (I), 9-5; 15-9
174 — #6 Alex Meyer (I) maj. dec. Derrick Evanovich (M), 11-2; 19-9
184 — #12 Sammy Brooks (I) pinned Mark Colabucci (M), 2:16; 25-9
197 — #4 Nathan Burak (I) tech. fall Garret Wesneski (M), 21-5; 30-9
285 — Sam Stoll (I) won by forfeit; 36-9
#2 IOWA 44, Grand Canyon 0
125 — #2 Thomas Gilman (I) pinned Trayton Libolt (G), 3:51; 6-0
133 — #2 Cory Clark (I) major dec. Jauquin Olivas (G), 10-1; 10-0
141 – Jake Kadel (I) dec. Uzo Owuama (G), 6-3; 13-0
149 — #3 Brandon Sorensen (I) major dec. Blake Monty (G), 14-4; 17-0
157 — Edwin Cooper, Jr. (I) major dec. Zack Velasquez (G), 21-0
165 — Patrick Rhoads (I) tech. fall Casey Larson (G), 20-5; 26-0
174 — #6 Alex Meyer (I) dec. Kenny Moore (G), 7-2; 29-0
184 — #12 Sammy Brooks (I) tech. fall Austin Trujillo (G), 17-2; 34-0
197 — #4 Nathan Burak (I) major dec. Austin Gaun (G), 15-7; 38-0
285 — Sam Stoll (I) pinned Sean Medley (G), 1:36; 44-0
#2 IOWA 54, Iowa Central 0
125 — #2 Thomas Gilman (I) pinned Mitch Brinkman (ICCC), 1:45; 6-0
133 — #2 Cory Clark (I) pinned Terrell Pampkin (ICCC), 2:32; 12-0
141 — Logan Ryan (I) pinned Kohl Wheeler (ICCC), 4:52; 18-0
149 — #3 Brandon Sorensen (I) tech. fall Ryne Cokeley (ICCC), 24-9; 23-0
157 – Skyler St. John (I) major dec. Stephon Gray (ICCC), 20-10; 27-0
165 — Burke Paddock (I) tech. fall Grant Sherman (ICCC), 17-1; 32-0
174 — #6 Alex Meyer (I) major dec. Armani Robinson (ICCC), 10-2; 36-0
184 — #12 Sammy Brooks (I) win by forfeit; 42-0
197 — #4 Nathan Burak (I) pinned Kendrick Jones (ICCC), 2:14; 48-0
285 — Sam Stoll (I) pinned Quelton Toliver (ICCC), 1:50; 54-0
#2 IOWA 58, Cornell College 0
125 — #2 Thomas Gilman (I) pinned Scott Smith (C), 1:32; 6-0
133 — #2 Cory Clark (I) pinned Philip Opelt (C), 3:47; 12-0
141 — Logan Ryan (I) major dec. Josh Martin (C), 20-7; 16-0
149 — #3 Brandon Sorensen (I) pinned Nathan Shank (C), 4:14; 22-0
157 — Edwin Cooper, Jr. (I) pinned Aaron Engle (C), 2:40; 28-0
165 — Patrick Rhoads (I) pinned Michael Maksimovic (C), 4:55; 34-0
174 — #6 Alex Meyer (I) pinned Brian Cristion (C), 4:02; 40-0
184 — #12 Sammy Brooks (I) pinned James Garrett (C), 2:31; 46-0
197 — #4 Nathan Burak (I) pinned Ben Bergen (C), 0:57; 52-0
285 — Sam Stoll (I) pinned Eric Tucker (C), 2:27; 56-0