Jan. 7, 2005
IOWA CITY, IA – The University of Iowa wrestling team opened the 2005 portion of its dual season Friday night, defeating Virginia Tech, 38-0, in Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City. Iowa scored its highest dual meet team point total (38), recorded its first shut-out of the season, and improved to 3-1 with the win. Virginia Tech, who is coached by former Iowa assistant coach and NCAA Champion Tom Brands, fell to 8-3 with the loss.
Iowa scored team bonus points in four matches with two major decisions and two forfeits, and won three decisions by scoring points in the last 40 seconds of each match. Scoring major decisions for Iowa were freshman Alex Tsirtsis (141) and redshirt freshman Mark Perry (165). Tsirtsis scored an 11-2 win over Donny Ooton, and Perry defeated Chris Stith, 13-2. Winning the nailbiters for Iowa were juniors Joe Johnston (157) and Paul Bradley (184) and freshman Matt Fields (Hwt.) Fields started the dual by winning a 4-2 decision over Virginia Tech’s Mike Faust, scoring a takedown with 36 seconds left in the second sudden victory period. Johnston led Hokie Reed Carpenter through the first two periods, but Carpenter scored a third period takedown to take an 8-7 lead. Johnston scored a takedown and nearfall points with 10 seconds remaining to win the match, 14-9. Bradley, who is ranked second in the nation, got a scare from Hokie Steve Borja. Bradley led 3-1 through the first two periods, but Borja scored two escapes and two penalty points on Bradley stall warnings in the third period to tie the score at 5-5. Bradley scored a takedown with four seconds left to win, 7-5, and end the dual. Hawkeye junior Mario Galanakis, who is unranked at 133 pounds, upset sixth-ranked David Hoffman of Virginia Tech, 8-4. Galanakis dominated the match, scoring three takedowns, an escape and a riding time point, while holding Hoffman to four escape points. Freshmen Luke Lofthouse (174) and Dane Pape (197) accepted the Virginia Tech forfeits.
Bradley remains the only Hawkeye undefeated in collegiate competition, sporting a 9-0 mark. Galanakis, junior Ty Eustice (149), Bradley and Fields are all 4-0 in dual competition, while Perry is 3-0 in dual meets. Eustice and Perry have one collegiate loss each, with Eustice at 13-1 and Perry at 11-1. Tsirtsis and Fields are both 12-3 in collegiate matches, while Johnston is 11-3.
Iowa will travel west to face two California schools on Sunday. The Hawkeyes will wrestle at Fresno State at 2 p.m. (CT) and at Cal-Davis at 9 p.m. (CT).
MEET RESULTS
Iowa 38, Virginia Tech 0
Hwt. — Matt Fields (I) dec. Mike Faust (VT), 4-2 SV-2
125 — Charlie Falck (I) dec. Justin Staylor (VT), 9-5
133 — Mario Galanakis (I) dec. David Hoffman (VT), 8-4
141 — Alex Tsirtsis (I) maj. dec. Donny Ooton (VT), 11-2
149 — Ty Eustice (I) dec. Tyde Prater (VT), 12-5
157 — Joe Johnston (I) dec. Reed Carpenter (VT), 14-9
165 — Mark Perry (I) maj. dec. Chris Stith (VT), 13-2
174 — Luke Lofthouse (I) won by forfeit
184 — Paul Bradley (I) dec. Steve Borja (VT), 7-5
197 — Dane Pape (I) won by forfeit