The Iowa State Cyclones fell to the West Virginia Mountaineers in a heartbreaking loss Sunday afternoon. The Cyclones led 20-9 heading into the 184 pound match, but could not hold off the Mountaineers; falling 22-20. Iowa State falls to 1-11 in duals and winless in the Big 12. The 2016-17 season marks the first time in Iowa States history that it has gone winless in the Big 12.
Kyle Larson came out for the Cyclones at 125, and got things started with a 4-2 victory. Following a scoreless first period, Larson was able to get a head in the hole go behind and escape to go up 3-0. West Virginia’s Devin Brown maneauvered a reversal but it wasn’t enough as Larson held him off for a 4-2 win. Larson went 2-0 this weekend, building some momentum heading into the post season.
Earl Hall was able to grab a 2-1 decision over Corey Stainbrook, following a second period reversal. Hall bounced back from a loss at the hands of #8 Dom Forys Friday. With that win, Hall became the 37th Cyclone to pick up 100 victories over a career.
At 141 John Meeks had seven takedowns, with a variety of leg attacks and scored early and often for a 16-9 victory. Meeks did give up a takedown late to lose the major, but looked great on the road this weekend. Gabe Moreno wrestled 149 for the Cyclones, and was unable to get a win after getting an early takedown and riding out the first period. Trailing 5-4 late, Moreno had several last second takedown attempts, eventually falling to a 9-5 loss. At 157, Colston DiBlasi made quick work of his opponent, hitting a slide by, immediately slapping on a cradle, and after several adjustments getting the fall.
At 165 the tide turned for the Cyclones. Logan Breitenbach was caught trying to roll in the second, and fell by fall to West Virginia senior Dylan Cotrell. At 174 Lelund Weatherspoon completed a perfect weekend with a 19-3 tech fall. Weatherspoon was relentless with upper body attacks, leg attacks, and slick re-attacks. Carson Powell lost a heartbreaking 5-3 loss at 184. After an uneventful first period, Powell grabbed a quick reversal in the 2nd, and gathered riding time. In the 3rd however, Powell gave up an escape and a late takedown to send the match into overtime, where Powell was defeated 5-3.
The Mountaineers #5 wrestler Jake Smith overpowered Marcus Harrington from the feet and on top, and won 12-0. The Cyclones sent out senior Joe Scanlan at heavyweight. Scanlan was leading 1-0 midway through the second, but ended up going to his back after a takedown, and eventually being pinned sealing the fate of the Cyclones.
The Cyclones return to action next Sunday, where they will take on the Minnesota Golden Gophers. Following that dual, the Cyclones will have two weeks off before heading to the Big 12 tournament in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
FULL RESULTS:
125: Kyle Larson (ISU) dec Devin Brown(WVU) 4-2
133: Earl Hall (ISU) dec Corey Stainbrooke (WVU) 2-1
141: John Meeks (ISU) dec Joe Wheeling (WVU) 16-9
149: Christian Monserratt (WVU) dec Gabe Moreno (ISU) 9-5
157: Colston DiBlasi (ISU) Win by Fall (1:04) over Dayton Garret (WVU)
165: Dylan Cottrell (WVU) win by Fall (4:43) over Logan Breitenbach (ISU)
174: Lelund Weatherspoon (ISU) Tech Fall over Ty Willard (WVU) 19-3
184: Parker Von Egidy (WVU) dec over Carson Powell (ISU) 5-3 OT
197: Jacob Smith (WVU) m-dec over Marcus Harrington (ISU) 12-0
285: Brandon Ngati (WVU) winner by fall (4:43) over Joe Scanlan
West Virginia 22 Iowa State 20