The #17 Iowa State Cyclones opened up their conference schedule with a hard fought win over the Wyoming Cowboys. The Cyclones won 6 matches to 4 to pull out 19-14 victory. Highlights from the Cyclones included a 14-4 major for Earl Hall, and an upset of #17 Lelund Weatherspoon over #13 Ben Stroh by a 11-5 score.
The dual started at 125 where Kyle Larson dropped a 9-1 decisionto Drew Templeton.The taller and longer Templeton hit multiple double legs and was able to put a hard ride on Larson to put the match out of reach.
At 133 pounds Earl Hall lit up the crowd with a 14-4 major decision over Wyomings P.T. Garcia. Hall hit multiple cross wrist tilts and explosive attacks to build his lead and gather the major.
John Meeks made his first appearance in recent weeks with a 3-2 loss to Wyoming’s Bryce Meredith. Meeks was the aggressor in the match; getting to Meredith’s legs on multiple occasions. Unfortunately Meredith was able to roll or funk out of all Meeks attack and eventually score a takedown off of it.
Gabe Moreno looked solid after injury defaulting out of the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invite. Moreno hit a slick sweep single in the first and put on a tough ride for a strong start. Moreno finished the capitalized off an underhook attack in the 3rd for a 6-2 win.
Logan Breitenbach fell for the Cyclones by way of a 12-4 major decision. Breitenbach gave up a takedown and rideout before storming back with a takedown of his own in the 2nd. Breitenbach gave up several takedowns in the last 10 seconds to give up the 12-4 decision.
Tanner Weatherman wrestled a wild match in typical fashion en route to an 18-16 victory. Weatherman controlled most of the match with a variety of double legs, single legs and counter offense. Weatherman was going for the major decision when he gave up an escape, takedown and 4 back points to tie the match at 16. Weatherman then scored a counter offense takedown in overtime to seal the deal.
Lelund Weatherspoon scored quick off body lock to take a 2-0 lead before giving up an escape, and a takedown to trail 3-2 going into the 2nd. Stroh garnered a quick escape before Weatherspoon went from leg attack to upper body for a 6 point move to take an 8-4 lead. Weatherspoon finalized the match with another underhook attack for a 11-5 victory over the #13 ranked wrestler.
184 pounder Dane Pestano continued his upward trend with a 3-1 decision. Pestano exploded through a takedown in the 2nd to seal the match.
Another bright spot in the dual came at 197 where redshirt sophomore Duke Egli came up big with 4-3 victory over Wyoming 197 pounder Brandon Tribble. Egli is probably a more natural 184 pounder who has battled through injuries; and got his first conference dual victory today with 2 slick takedowns.
At heavyweight Quean Smith lost a tight 3-1 decision to Tanner Harms in an overtime scramble. Smith pushed the pace and hand fighting much of the match but could not score off his attacks.
Full Results
ISU 19 Wyoming 14
125: Drew Templeman M-dec Kyle Larson 9-1
133: #7 Earl Hall M-dec P.T. Garcia 14-4
141: #15 Bryce Meredith dec John Meeks 3-2
149: #17 Gabe Moreno dec Jake Elliot 6-2
157: Archie Colgan M-dec Logan Breitenbach 12-4
165: #14 Tanner Weatherman dec. Kyle Pope 18-16
174 #17 Lelund Weatherspoon dec #13 Ben Stroh
184: Dane Pestano dec Jace Jensen 3-1
197: Duke Egli dec Brandon Tribble 4-3
285: #20 Tanner Harms dec. Quean Smith