March 18, 2004
ST. LOUIS, MO – The University of Iowa wrestling team is in fourth place with 23.5 points Thursday after the first day of competition at the NCAA Championships in St. Louis, MO. Oklahoma State is in first place with 30 points. Iowa went 7-3 in Thursday night’s second session, and posted an overall first-day record of 16-6. The Hawkeyes advanced five wrestlers to the quarterfinals, and still have four wrestlers competing in the consolation bracket.
Hawkeye seniors Luke Eustice (125), Cliff Moore (141), Tyler Nixt (174) and Ryan Fulsaas (197), and sophomore Paul Bradley (184) advanced to Friday morning’s quarterfinals. Eustice scored a late takedown to defeat Northwestern’s John Velez, 3-1. He will face Vic Moreno of Cal Poly for the first time in the quarterfinals. Moore scored his 30th season win with an 11-2 major decision over Ron Tarquinio of Pittsburgh. He will face Central Michigan’s Jason Mester in the quarterfinals, trying to avenge a 3-2 loss from earlier this season. Nixt scored a 4-2 decision over Wisconsin’s Ralph DeNisco, improving to 33-2 on the season. He will face Nate Yetzer of Edinboro for the first time in the quarterfinals. Bradley scored his 35th career win with a 9-4 decision over Ohio State’s Blake Kaplan. He will face Purdue’s Ben Wissel in the quarterfinals. Bradley is 1-0 vs. Wissel in his career. Fulsaas held off a late takedown attempt to defeat Drexel’s Chris Jones, 3-1. He will face Chris Skretkowicz of Hofstra for the first time in the quarterfinals.
In the consolation round, sophomores Ty Eustice (149) and Joe Johnston (157) each won their matches to stay alive in competition. Eustice scored a 5-3 decision over Sam Alvarenga of VMI, and will face Illinois’ Anton Dietzen for the first time in the next round. Johnston scored a 12-5 win over Northern Iowa’s Nick Baima, and will face Scott Garren of North Carolina State for the first time in the next round.
Friday’s competition starts with Session III, which includes the championship quarterfinals and two rounds of consolation matches, at 10 a.m. Friday’s Session IV starts at 6 p.m. (CT) and includes the championship semifinals and another two rounds of consolation matches. Friday’s semifinal matches will be aired on live on Mediacom at 6 p.m. (CT). Saturday’s finals, which start at 5:30 pm., will be aired live on ESPN2.
TEAM STANDINGS (Top 10 After Session II)
1. Oklahoma State 30
2. Illinois 28
3. Nebraska 25
4. Iowa 23.5
Minnesota 23.5
6. Lehigh 23
7. Iowa State 22.5
8. Michigan 21.5
9. Cornell 20
Oklahoma 20
IOWA’S SESSION II INDIVIDUAL RESULTS
Championship Bracket
125 – Luke Eustice (Iowa) dec. John Velez (Northwestern), 3-1
141 – Cliff Moore (Iowa) maj. dec. Ron Tarquino (Pittsburgh), 11-2
165 – Troy Letters (Lehigh) maj. dec. Cole Pape (Iowa), 16-5
174 – Tyler Nixt (Iowa) dec. Ralph DeNisco (Wisconsin), 4-2
184 – Paul Bradley (Iowa) dec. Blake Kaplan (Ohio St.), 9-4
197 – Ryan Fulsaas (Iowa) dec. Chris Jones (Drexel), 3-1
Hwt. – Cole Konrad (Minnesota) dec. Ryan Fuller (Iowa), 6-0
Consolation Bracket
133 – Paul Gross (Stanford) pinned Trent Goodale (Iowa), 3:52 149 – Ty Eustice (Iowa) dec. Sam Alvarega (VMI), 5-3 157 – Joe Johnston (Iowa) vs. Nick Baima (N. Iowa)