RELEASE: Bonus Points Lead 40-6 Rout of Maryland

University of Iowa Press Release follow Iowa’s win over Maryland:

COLLEGE PARK, Maryland — The University of Iowa wrestling team used six bonus-point victories to roll past Maryland, 40-6, on Sunday afternoon at the Xfinity Center.

The Hawkeyes got pins from Brandon Sorensen and Alex Marinelli, technical falls from Michael Kemerer, Mitch Bowman, and Cash Wilcke, and a major decision from Phillip Laux.

Justin Stickley, Carter Happel, and Joey Gunther each won by decision.

The Hawkeyes held a 32-2 advantage in takedowns, and led 40-0 before forfeiting at heavyweight. The win was their 24th straight Big Ten road win.

QUOTING BRANDS
“You don’t take anything for granted. You have to go out and wrestle. Rankings don’t mean anything. How someone is doing doesn’t mean anything. Go out and do what you do. We won nine matches. Forfeited one. We feel good. Forfeiting heavyweight was my call. I’m sure it’s not popular with the fans, but it’s one of those things where you do the right thing. It’s early December. There is no issue with Stoll.”

FIRST THINGS FIRST
Stickley and Happel each picked up their first career Big Ten wins. Stickley reversed Brandon Cray in the second period and finished the rest of the match on top, ending with 2:54 of riding time and a 3-0 decision. Happle’s 141-pound bout combined for six ties and lead changes. He evened the score, 7-7, with 11 seconds left in the third, and finished on top to use 1:22 of riding time to defeat No. 12 Ryan Diehl.

QUOTING HAPPEL
“In the third period I knew I could get to my high crotch or single because I could feel him gassing. I wrestled seven minute hard, he tired out, and I got a takedown in the end. My confidence is up, but it always has to be up. It can’t be down. You’re going to have up and downs throughout the season so you have to keep moving forward.”

LAUX ON THE BOARD
Laux returned to the lineup after a one-dual hiatus and responded to Brands’ challenge to wrestle seven minutes. He scored two takedowns in the first period, another in the second, and finished the third with a takedown and four nearfall. He added 3:05 of riding time for the final 13-3 major decision, his first bonus-point win in a Big Ten dual.

QUOTING LAUX
“I wanted to wrestle every position. That was my main focus today. Coach talks about that all the time. Whatever happens, just wrestle the next position. Today I went out there trying to score points. I could say I seized an opportunity, but now I move forward. The preparation doesn’t change.”

UP NEXT
Iowa returns to the mat Dec. 29-30 at the Midlands Championships.

NOTABLES

Iowa has won 24 straight conference road duals.
Iowa improved to 5-0 all-time against Maryland
Stickley and Happel earned their first career Big Ten dual wins
Marinelli’s fall was the first of his career
Records: Iowa (7-0, 3-0), Maryland (3-4, 0-4).

#7 IOWA 40, MARYLAND 6
125 — Justin Stickley (I) dec. Brandon Cray (M), 3-0; 3-0
133 — Phillip Laux (I) major dec. Jhared Simmons (M), 13-3; 7-0
141 — Carter Happel (I) dec. #12 Ryan Diehl (M), 8-7; 10-0
149 — #2 Brandon Sorensen (I) pinned Peter Dedesco (M), 1:20; 16-0
157 — #3 Michael Kemerer (I) tech. fall Justin Alexander (M), 26-10; 21-0
165 — #13 Alex Marinelli (I) pinned Brendan Burnham (M), 2:41; 27-0
174 — Joey Gunther (I) dec. Josh Ugalde (M), 3-1; 30-0
184 — Mitch Bowman (I) tech. fall Spencer Woods (M), 20-5; 35-0
197 — #8 Cash Wilcke (I) tech. fall Niko Cappello (M), 19-4; 40-0
285 — #10 Yousif Hemida (M) win by forfeit; 40-6