The Central Michigan Chippewa’s came in to Ames holstering a 20th ranked team fresh off a 22-11 defeat of UNI in the hostile west gym. Iowa State was able to slow the momentum of the Chippewas powered behind victories from Earl Hall, Tanner Weatherman, Lelund Weatherspoon, Dane Pestano, Marcus Harrington and Quean Smith. The Cyclones competed well off a rough road trip to Oklahoma where they lost matches to Oklahoma and Oklahoma State.
Things got going quickly for the Cyclones as Kyle Larson received a forfeit for a 6-0 lead.
Earl Hall was able to use 2 counter attacks to obtain a 5-2 victory of Central Michigans Cory Keener. Hall used a beautiful arm drag to finalize the victory in the closing seconds.
At 141 pounds Nathan Boston lost a tight 5-2 battle with Central Michigans 16th ranked Zach Horan. Horan used a takedown off a scramble, a tough ride and a reversal to build his lead that Boston could not catch.
With Gabe Moreno nursing a shoulder surgery the Cyclones sent double fargo runner-up Blayne Briceno to the mat. Briceno came out hot trying multiple throws and eventually connecting with a body lock to tie the match at 3. CMU’s Justin Oliver used a takedown of his own to gain a 5-3 lead and adjusted from a bar arm tilt for a fall which tied the dual.
At 157 pounds Renaldo Rodriguez-Spencer fell to Luke Smith of CMU 9-7. Smith used a big throw in the 1st period to build a 7-2 lead which proved to be just enough to hold off Renaldo. Renaldo fired off two 3rd period takedowns with a beautiful duck under to body lock and single leg to close the gap.
At 165 pounds Tanner Weatherman picked up 9-3 decision with 3 takedowns, an escape and a 2 point tight-waist tilt. Weatherman was attacking legs early and often per usual and continued his mid-season tear.
At 174 pounds Lelund Weatherspoon picked up a huge victory over 9th ranked Mike Ottinger of Central Michigan. Weatherspoon used 3 takedowns, an escape and a ridetime point to pick up the 8-3 win. Weatherspoon used terrific counter offense and deep penetration defense to pick up his takedown.
At 184 pounds Dane Pestano used a lefty hi-crotch in the closing seconds and single leg at the end of the 2nd to pick up a 5-2 victory. Pestano has been a bright spot in the Cyclone lineup this season with a 20-11 record.
At 197 pounds Waterloo West Alum Marcus Harrington won 11-10 in a see-saw match that came down to the wire. Harrington gave up a takedown immediately but was able to build a 8-3 lead heading into the 3rd with a beautiful ankle pick and back points in the 2nd. Harrington was able to weather a late storm from Jackson Lewis to hold on for a 11-10 victory.
At 285 pounds Iowa States Quean Smith looked as dominant as ever with a 14-6 major. Smith used a variety of leg attacks and counter attacks to dominate his way to victory.
The Cyclones return to action next friday when they head to west gym in Cedar Falls where they will wrestle the UNI Panthers at 7 pm.
FULL RESULTS
125: Kyle Larson (ISU) winner by forfeit
133: Earl Hall (ISU) dec. Cory Keener 6-2
141: Zach Horan (CMU) dec. Nathan Boston 5-2
149: Justin Oliver (CMU) wbf over Blayne Briceno
157: Luke Smith (CMU) dec. Renaldo Rodriguez-Spencer 9-7
165: Tanner Weatherman (ISU) dec. Jordan Atienza 9-3
174: Lelund Weatherspoon (ISU) dec. Mike Ottinger 8-3
184: Dane Pestano (ISU) dec. Jordan Ellingwood
197: Marcus Harrington (ISU) dec. Jackson Lewis 11-10
285: Quean Smith (ISU) m-dec. Newton Smerchek 14-6