Dec. 29, 2003
Evanston, IL – Five University of Iowa Hawkeyes are still alive in the championship quarterfinals after the first round of competition at the 41st annual Midlands Championships in Evanston, IL. Seniors Luke Eustice (125), Cliff Moore (141), Tyler Nixt (174) and Ryan Fulsaas and sophomore Ty Eustice (149) were all still alive in quarterfinal competition in their respective weight classes.
The top seeded Luke Eustice defeated Brandon Sandefur in the opening round before collecting a 4-2 decision over Tanner Gardner in the second round to advance into the quarterfinals, where he will be met by Northwestern’s John Velez.
The fourth seeded Ty Eustice earned three decisions to advance into the quarterfinals. He will face the top seeded Dustin Manotti of Cornell.
Moore, the third ranked 141-pound wrestler, recorded a major decision over Michael Martin of Illinois in the first round before defeating Tennessee-Chattanooga’s Michael Keefe. He will face the sixth seed Robert Becker in the quarterfinals.
Nixt, the third seeded 174-pounder, used two major decisions to advance into the quarterfinals, where he will face Penn’s Matt Herrington.
Fulsaas, the number four seed at 197-pounds, pinned Stanford’s Ian Bork in 4:26 and defeated Peacock’s Brent Myers 2-1 to advance to the quarterfinals. He will face the number five seed, Matt Monteiro of Cal-Bakersfield.
Other Hawkeyes still alive in the Midlands consolation round are senior Jason D’Agata and sophomore Paul Bradley. D’Agata picked up two wins before falling to the top-seed at 149 pounds, Dustin Manotti, 10-5. Bradley, the seventh seed at 184-pounds, earned a win in the opening round, a 9-7 decision, before falling 7-4 to tenth-seeded Eric Bradley of Penn State.