Dec. 30, 2006
EVANSTON, IL –
The Hawkeye wrestling team crowned one champion, two runners-up and four other placewinners at the 44th annual Midlands Championships in Evanston, IL, Saturday night. Iowa placed second in the team race, scoring 107 points. Iowa State won its first team title since 1981 with 154.5.
Hawkeye senior 174-pounder Eric Luedke won his first Midlands title and picked up his 35th career victory, defeating Rider’s Doug Umbehauer, 6-4, in the finals. Juniors Alex Tsirtsis and Mark Perry both placed second with second-seed Tsirtsis losing an 8-5 decision to top-seed Ryan Lang of Northwestern at 141 and top-seed Perry losing a 5-2 decision to second-seed Travis Paulson of Iowa State at 165. Also placing for the Hawkeyes were senior Mario Galanakis (8th-133), junior Matt Fields (6th-Hwt.), sophomore Charlie Falck (7th-125) and redshirt freshman Ryan Morningstar (7th-157).
Iowa’s next competition will be January 13-14 at the Cliff Keen/N.W.C.A. National Duals in Cedar Falls, IA. All matches will be held at the UNI-Dome on the University of Northern Iowa campus.
FINAL TEAM STANDINGS
1. Iowa State 154.5
2. Iowa 107.0
3. Northwestern 102.0
4. Central Michigan 96.5
5. Indiana 96.0
6. Illinois 89.5
7. Michigan State 77.5
8. Northern Iowa 67.0
9. Harvard 62.5
10. Northern Illinois 61.0
IOWA’S INDIVIDUAL RESULTS
Championship Finals
141 – #1 Ryan Lang (NW) dec. #2 Alex Tsirtsis (I), 8-5
165 – #2 Travis Paulson (ISU) dec. #1 Mark Perry (I), 5-2
174 – #3 Eric Luedke (I) dec. #4 Doug Umbehauer (RID), 6-4
Championship Semifinals
141 – #2 Alex Tsirtsis (I) dec. #6 Mitch Mueller (ISU), 7-4
165 – #1 Mark Perry (I) maj. dec. #5 Roger Smith Bergsrud (ILL), 12-0
174 – #3 Eric Luedke (I) dec. #2 Brandon Sinnott (CMU), 7-5
Hwt. – #2 Tervel Dlagney (NEK) dec. #3 Matt Fields (I), 3-2
Consolation Bracket
125 – #6 Charlie Falck (I) maj. dec. Nate Hansen (Luther), 20-11
125 – John Weinert (NIU) maj. dec. Falck (I), 10-2
125 – Falck (I) dec. #4 Brandon Precin (NU), 4-2
133 – #3 Mario Galanakis (I) pinned Mike McPeak (MSN), 3:47
133 – #2 Robbie Preston (UNAT) dec. Galanakis (I), 8-5
133 – #8 Corey Jantzen (UNAT) dec. Galanakis (I), 6-0
157 – #5 Ryan Morningstar (I) dec. #6 Tony Greathouse (MSU), 3-1 SV-1
157 – #8 Brian Cobb (RRWC) dec. Morningstar (I), 4-3
157 – Morningstar (I) dec. Colby Goetsch (UNI), 4-2
174 – Josh Chelf (WISL) dec. Chad Beatty (I), 3-1
Hwt. – #8 Blake Gillis (WART) dec. #3 Matt Fields (I), 4-3
Hwt. – #6 Adam Lopiccolo (AMER) pinned Fields (I), 1:58