Men's Wrestling / February 13, 2008

Top-Ranked Hawkeyes To Host Big Ten Foes

Feb. 13, 2008

THIS WEEK
Top-ranked Iowa (18-1, 5-0 Big Ten) will put its undefeated Big Ten dual mark on the line when it hosts two conference opponents this weekend. Iowa will wrestle #20 Indiana (12-7, 1-5 Big Ten) Friday at 7 p.m. and #9 Michigan (15-6, 2-3 Big Ten) Sunday at 8 p.m. Both matches will be held in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. It will be the second meeting for the Hawkeyes and Wolverines this season, as Iowa scored a 23-13 win in the NWCA/Cliff Keen National Duals semifinals Jan. 13 in Cedar Falls.

The Michigan dual will be a Black Out event, where all fans are encouraged to wear black clothing. It will also be Senior Night, Fan Appreciation Night and 25 Years in Carver-Hawkeye Arena will be celebrated. Seniors Matt Fields (Hwt.) and Mark Perry (165) will be recognized, and fans will be eligible to win prizes and receive a free commemorative meet program.

FAMILY FOUR PACK AVAILABLE
The University of Iowa is offering a Family Four Pack ticket package for the Iowa vs. Indiana dual on Friday. The package includes four tickets, four hot dogs and four drinks for $30. Orders can be placed through the University of Iowa Athletic Ticket Office or at 1-800-464-2957, 319-335-9327 or www.hawkeyesports.com.

ON THE AIR
Radio – Steven Grace and two-time Hawkeye NCAA champion and four-time all-American Mark Ironside will call the action live on AM-800, KXIC. All dual meets will be broadcast live, as will action from the Big Ten and NCAA Championships. Live audio broadcasts from all competitions and are available online at www.hawkeyesports.com. Broadcasts are available using the Hawkeye All-Access subscription ($9.95 per month or $79.95 per year) or the CSTV XXL Premium subscription ($119.95 yer year).

Internet – Press releases, meet results, audio broadcasts and live video broadcasts from home dual meets are available online at www.hawkeyesports.com. To access live dual scoring for home meets, go to the wrestling schedule page, select the event and click on the Livestats link. Results will be updated after each bout during the dual. Current staff and student-athlete head shots can be found at pics.hawkeyesports.com.

INDIANA HOOSIERS
Indiana is 12-7 (1-5 Big Ten) with wins over Wabash (44-0), The Cumberlands (50-0), Oregon (35-6), Duke (3606), Liberty (32-9), Ohio (34-9), Harper (49-0), Southern Illinois-Edwardsville (51-0), Gardner Webb (46-0), Air Force (39-3), Indianapolis (32-9) and Michigan State (32-9), and losses to Missouri (18-22), Cornell (19-22), Wisconsin (15-20), Penn State (9-25), Ohio State (13-20), Purdue (16-18) and Illinois (9-23).

Head Coach Duane Goldman is 187-103-4 in 16 seasons at Indiana. He was a four-time all-American, NCAA finalist and Big Ten champion at Iowa (1983-86), winning the 1986 NCAA title. Goldman is assisted by four-time Hawkeye all-American (1994-97) and 1995 Big Ten Champion Mike Mena and Indiana alum Pat DeGain (2005).

The Hoosiers are led by senior Brandon Becker (157), junior Andre Hernandez (133) and sophomores Angel Escobedo (125) and Matt Coughlin (165). Escobedo is 24-0 this season and is ranked second in the nation. Hernandez, Escobedo and Hawkeye senior Alex Tsirtis (141) all attended Griffith High School in Griffith, IN. Hoosier sophomore Trevor Perry (174) wrestled with Iowa sophomore Brent Metcalf (149) at Davision High School in Davision, MI.

MICHIGAN WOLVERINES
Michigan is 15-6 (2-3 Big Ten) with wins over Bucknell (33-6), Bloomsburg (27-12), Virginia (25-10), Kent State (26-14), Buffalo (32-6), Eastern Michigan (33-6), Lehigh (33-9), Harvard (35-12), Columbia (43-3), Appalachian State (32-9), Northern Iowa (30-6), Hofstra (19-15), Minnesota (23-16), Purdue (24-12) and Illinois (22-16), and losses to Maryland (16-18), Iowa (13-23), Central Michigan (13-21), Minnesota (15-24), Penn State (14-20) and Ohio State (15-16). The Wolverines will wrestle at Wisconsin Friday night at 7 p.m.

Head Coach Joe McFarland is 121-39-5 in nine years at Michigan and 145-55-4 in 12 seasons as a collegiate head coach. McFarland was a four-time all-American (1981-82, 1984-85), two-time NCAA finalist and 1984 Big Ten Champion for the Wolverines. He still holds the school record for most wins in a season (48). McFarland is assisted by Michigan alums Kirk Trost (1986), Mike Kulczycki (2003) and Mark Churella, Sr. (1979).

The Wolverines are led by seniors Eric Tannenbaum (165) and Josh Churella (149), juniors Steve Luke (174) and Tyrel Todd (184) and freshman Kellen Russell (141). Todd enters the dual with a 22-2 record and has won 21 of his last 22 matches. Tannenbaum is 24-2. Russell and Hawkeye senior Mark Perry (165) both prepped at Blair Academy in Blair, NJ.

THE SERIES
Indiana – Iowa leads the series 31-4-3 and is 15-3-1 vs. the Hoosiers in Iowa City. The Hawkeyes have won the last 16 meetings, including the last in 2006 (30-12). Indiana’s last win in the series was 19-13 in Bloomington in 1968.

Michigan – Michigan leads the series 25-24-1, but the Hawkeyes hold a 10-9-1 advantage in Iowa City. Iowa won the last meeting between the two teams – 23-13 last month at the NWCA/Cliff Keen National Duals in Cedar Falls. Michigan’s last win in the series was 19-15 at the 2006 NWCA/Cliff Keen National Duals.

LAST MEETING – IOWA 30, INDIANA 12
Iowa defeated the Indiana Hoosiers, 30-12, Jan. 29, 2006, at Assembly Hall in Bloomington. Iowa (9-4, 3-1 Big Ten) won seven of 10 matches and picked up a pair of falls in the win over Indiana (11-2, 2-2).

Things started rough for the Hawkeyes, who dropped the first two matches to fall into an 8-0 hole. Defending NCAA Champion and top-ranked Joe Dubuque opened the dual with a major decision over Lucas Magnani, then Andrae Hernandez blanked freshman Daniel Dennis, 11-0, at 133 pounds.

The tide quickly turned in favor of the Hawkeyes, who won the next six matches to put the dual away. Sophomore 141-pounder Alex Tsirtsis kicked off the run by pinning Nick Spatola at 6:21. It was Tsirtsis’s first fall of the season. Senor Ty Eustice picked up a win via disqualification at 149, followed by a 6-3 decision win by Joe Johnston at 157 pounds.

Eric Luedke recorded an 8-4 win over Max Dean at 165 pounds, followed by Mark Perry’s second pin of the year and a 9-3 win from 184-pounder Paul Bradley. Freshman Dan Erekson dropped an 11-2 major decision to Brady Richardson, but Ryan Fuller ended the dual at heavyweight with a 4-2 win over Dave Harman.

Iowa 30, Indiana 12
125 – Joe Dubuque (IU) maj. dec. Lucas Magnani (I), 15-6
133 – Andrae Hernandez (IU) maj. dec. Daniel Dennis (I), 11-0
141 – Alex Tsirtsis (I) pinned Nick Spatola (IU), 6:21
149 – Ty Eustice (I) W by DQ Matt Cooper (IU)
157 – Joe Johnston (I) dec. Brandon Becker (IU), 6-3
165 – Eric Luedke (I) dec. Max Dean, 8-4
174 – Mark Perry (I) pinned Marc Bennett (IU), 5:28
184 – Paul Bradley (I) dec. Justin Curran (IU), 9-3
197 – Brady Richardson (IU) maj. dec. Dan Erekson (I), 11-2
Hwt. – Ryan Fuller (I) dec. Dave Harman (IU), 4-2

LAST MEETING – IOWA 23, MICHIGAN 13
The second-seeded Hawkeyes (10-1) used two upsets and two major decisions to beat sixth-seeded Michigan, 23-13, in the semifinals of the 2008 NWCA/Cliff Keen National Duals in Cedar Falls Jan. 13.

Senior Mark Perry (165) and sophomore Jay Borschel (174) both scored upsets in their matches to lead the Hawkeyes. Perry beat then-#1 Eric Tannenbaum of Michigan, 4-1. Perry now holds a 2-1 lead his collegiate career series with Tannenbaum, winning the previous meeting – 5-2 – at the 2007 Big Ten Championship finals. Borschel upset #2 Steve Luke, 3-2. The Marion, IA, native fought off several shots from Luke and converted on his own in the third period to score his third straight victory.

Junior Charlie Falck (125) and sophomore Joe Slaton (133) got the dual off to an 8-0 start for Iowa with back-to-back major decisions. Falck scored 11 points in the last two periods to beat Michael Watts, 13-5. Slaton accumulated over five minutes of riding time in his 16-5 win over Chris Diehl.

Michigan put its first points on the board at 141 when top-ranked Kellen Russell caught Hawkeye sophomore Dan LeClere in a scramble and pinned him in 4:48. Iowa responded with four straight wins, starting with Michigan native Brent Metcalf’s 4-2 victory over Josh Churella at 149. Metcalf scored a late takedown and a stall point to extend his winning streak to 12 matches. Sophomore Ryan Morningstar kept the momentum in Iowa’s favor with a 3-2 win over Jeff Marsh at 157. The Wolverines fought back with wins at 184 and 197 before Hawkeye senior Matt Fields scored a 13-6 win over Chad Bleske at heavyweight to end the dual.

Iowa 23, Michigan 13
125 – Charlie Falck (I) maj. dec. Michael Watts (M), 13-5
133 – Joe Slaton (I) maj. dec. Chris Diehl (M), 16-5
141 – Kellen Russell (M) pinned Dan LeClere (I), 4:48
149 – Brent Metcalf (I) dec. Josh Churella (M), 4-2
157 – Ryan Morningstar (I) dec. Jeff Marsh (M), 3-2
165 – Mark Perry (I) dec. Eric Tannenbaum (M), 4-1
174 – Jay Borschel (I) dec. Steve Luke (M), 3-2
184 – Tyrel Todd (M) dec. Phillip Keddy (I), 3-2
197 – Anthony Biondo (M) maj. dec. Chad Beatty (I), 8-0
Hwt. – Matt Fields (I) dec. Chad Bleske (M), 13-6

IOWA WRESTLING HISTORY
Iowa’s overall dual meet record is 825-215-30 (.785) in 96 seasons. The Hawkeyes have won 20 national titles and 31 Big Ten titles. Iowa’s 48 NCAA champions have won a total of 74 NCAA individual titles, crowning six three-time and 13 two-time champions. The Hawkeyes’ 100 Big Ten champions have won a total of 181 conference titles. There have been seven four-time, 18 three-time and 24 two-time Iowa winners. Iowa’s 130 all-Americans have earned all-America status 266 times, including 16 four-time, 28 three-time and 32 two-time honorees.

PERRY UNDERGOES KNEE SURGERY
Senior 165-pounder Mark Perry has undergone knee surgery. The announcement came Jan. 24 from Head Coach Tom Brands.

The Stillwater, OK, native, had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee and is expected to miss 2-3 weeks of action. Perry, a three-time all-American, has a career record of 89-15. He currently has a 13-2 record and is ranked first nationally. His nine pins, this season, are best on the team.

IOWA TICKET INFORMATION
Tickets for Iowa’s two remaining home duals are on sale at the University of Iowa Athletic Ticket Office or at 1-800-464-2957, 319-335-9327 or www.hawkeyesports.com. University of Iowa students will be admitted free to all matches with a student ID. Tickets purchased in advance are $8 for adults and $4 for youth. Tickets purchased at the event are $10 for adults and $5 for youth.

HAWKEYES GO 2-0 ON NON-CONFERENCE ROAD TRIP
Iowa won 17 of 20 bouts against two Pac-10 teams last weekend on a non-conference road trip. The Hawkeyes beat Arizona State (36-3) Friday in Glendale, AZ, and Boise State (30-9) Sunday in Boise, ID, extending their winning streak to 11 matches.

Senior Matt Fields (Hwt.), junior Charlie Falck (125) and sophomores Dan LeClere (141), Brent Metcalf (149), Ryan Morningstar (157), Jay Borschel (174) and Phillip Keddy (184) all went 2-0 on the weekend. Metcalf posted a pin and technical fall on the trip, extending his winning streak to 20 matches. Falck collected his 60th career win against the Sun Devils. Fields scored his 20th season win and Borschel posted his 11th straight victory at Boise State.

CHAMPIONSHIP EXPERIENCE
The Hawkeye wrestling staff of Tom Brands, Wes Hand, Doug Schwab and Mike Zadick earned a total of one Olympic gold medal, four NCAA titles, six conference titles and 12 all-America honors. Their combined college career wrestling record is 487-83-2 (.853).

BIG TEN CHAMPIONSHIPS TICKETS GO ON SALE
Tickets for the 2008 Big Ten Wrestling Championships, to be held at the University of Minnesota’s Williams Arena Mar. 8-9 are now available. All-session tickets are $30 and may be purchased through gophersports.com, in person at the Minnesota athletics ticket office in Mariucci Arena or by calling 1-800-846-7437 or 612-624-8080. Single-session tickets, if available, will go on sale March 3.

The Big Ten Championships will feature a three-session format, with the Session 1 preliminary matches beginning at 11 a.m. on Mar. 8. Session 2 will get underway at 6 p.m. that same day, and the Session 3 championship matches will start at noon Mar. 9. Sessions 1 and 2 will feature four mats of action, while Session 3 will have three mats.

NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS RETURN TO ST. LOUIS
The 2008 NCAA Wrestling Championships are scheduled for Mar. 20-22 at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis, MO.

The Scottrade Center was the site for the national wrestling tournament in 2000, 2004 and 2005, and will host the event in 2009. The NCAA, University of Missouri and the St. Louis Sports Commission will co-host the event.

Sessions I (11 a.m.) and II (6:30 p.m.) will be held Mar. 20, Sessions III (10 a.m. and IV (6 p.m.) will be Mar. 21, and Session V (10 a.m.) and the championship finals (7:30 p.m.) are set for Mar. 22.

Tickets to the event are available at (866) 646-8849 or ticketmaster.com. All-session tickets are priced based on seat location. The price breakdown is as follows: Plaza – $150, Mezzanine Center & Mezzanine Corner (1st 2 rows) – $120, Mezzanine Corner & Mezzanine End (1st 2 rows) – $95, Mezzanine End – $60.

NEXT COMPETITION
Top-ranked Iowa (18-1, 5-0 Big Ten) will end the 2007-08 dual meet season Feb. 24 at #9/#11 Illinois (11-2, 3-1 Big Ten). The dual will be held at Huff Hall at 1 p.m. in Champaign, IL.

Complete Release in PDF Format