Hawkeyes Lose to Minnesota, 18-15

Feb. 15, 2004

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – The University of Iowa wrestling team fell to Minnesota, 18-15, Sunday afternoon in Minneapolis, MN. The Golden Gophers snapped Iowa’s four-meet winning streak with the win in Williams Arena. Each team won five individual matches. Iowa falls to 10-4, 5-2 in the Big Ten, while Minnesota improves to 10-6, 4-3 in the Big Ten.

The Hawkeyes started their 1,000 dual meet in school history strong, with senior Luke Eustice winning a 10-2 major decision over Bobbe Lowe at 125. It was Eustice’s 20th win of the season and the 80th of his career. He is undefeated at 12-0 in dual competition. Minnesota got on the scoreboard with a win in sudden victory at 133, but senior Cliff Moore rebounded with a 12-6 win over Tommy Owen at 141. Moore improves to 23-2 overall and 13-1 in dual competition with the win. Hawkeye sophomore Ty Eustice scored an 8-4 win over Thomas McAlpine at 149, but his unsportsmanlike behavior after the match led to a one-point deduction from the Iowa team score. Iowa sophomore Joe Johnston continued the Hawkeye roll, picking up his 50th career win with a 7-4 decision over Matt Nagel at 157.

Minnesota used the intermission after the 157-pound match to regroup, winning four of the last five matches. Iowa senior Tyler Nixt was the only bright spot in the second half of the dual, winning a 3-1 decision over Jon Duncombe at 174. Nixt improves to 27-1 overall and 13-1 in dual competition. Iowa led the team score 15-9 after Nixt’s match, but two decisions by Minnesota had the Golden Gophers trailing 15-12 going into the final match. Minnesota’s Cole Konrad needed to win by at least major decision to prevent the meet from going to criteria to determine a winner. He scored a late takedown to take a 3-0 lead over Iowa’s Ryan Fuller, and turned the Hawkeye for the fall in 6:45 to seal the win for Minnesota.

Iowa will host Ohio State (7-8, 3-3 in the Big Ten) Friday in its final dual of the season. Match time is set for 7 p.m. in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Iowa Public Television will air a tape-delayed broadcast of the dual at 9 p.m. It will be Iowa’s 150th dual meet in the arena.

MEET RESULTS
Minnesota 18, Iowa 15
125 Luke Eustice (I) maj. dec. Bobbe Lowe (M), 10-2
133 Quincy Osborn (M) dec. Trent Goodale (I), 4-2 sv
141 Cliff Moore (I) dec. Tommy Owen (M), 12-6
149 Ty Eustice (I) dec. Thomas McAlpine (M), 8-5
157 Joe Johnston (I) dec. Matt Nagel (M), 7-4
165 Jacob Volkmann (M) dec. Cole Pape (I), 4-2
174 Tyler Nixt (I) dec. Jon Duncombe (M), 3-1
184 Josh McLay (M) dec. Paul Bradley (I), 2-1
197 Damion Hahn (M) dec. Ryan Fulsaas (I), 6-1
Hwt. Cole Konrad (M) pinned Ryan Fuller (I), 6:45