Dec. 6, 2008
- Iowa and the Big Ten Network
- Big Ten Network: Free Hawkeye Video
- 24 Hawkeyes to Watch
- 2008-09 UI wrestling media guide
- 2009 NCAA Championships ticket information
- Big Ten Network highlights
IOWA CITY, Iowa — There are two main reasons Charlie Falck enjoys beginning dual wrestling meets. First, the University of Iowa senior likes to give the Hawkeyes an early lead in the team score. Second, after his match he becomes a worry-free spectator for the final nine bouts.
“I like getting things rolling,” Falck said after top-ranked Iowa’s 20-15 win over No. 2 Iowa State on Saturday inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena. “I put pressure on myself to get the team going, I have no problem with that. Then I can relax and watch the dual and not worry about getting ready to wrestle.”
Falck earned a 4-2 decision over Cyclone sophomore Tyler Clark in a battle of competitors with 8-0 records. Falck owns a consensus No. 2 individual ranking and Clark is fifth in two polls and 12th in another.
“You can always wrestle better,” Falck said. “Ending the match with him on my legs isn’t what I want. I should have poured it on a little more.”
This won’t be the last time Iowa and Iowa State share the mat. The top two teams in the nation should meet at the Midlands Championships on Dec. 29-30 in Evanston, Ill., the Cliff Keen/NWCA Duals on Jan. 10-11 and of course at the NCAA Championships on March 19-21.
“We don’t have to talk about it,” Falck said. “You go out and put the fear of God into your opponent so they remember the match the next time you wrestle.”
Iowa improved to 9-0 overall and has now won 23 consecutive dual matches. Iowa State is 3-1.
Iowa established the national collegiate dual meet attendance record as 19,955 fans packed Carver-Hawkeye Arena for the event. The previous record of 15,646 was set Feb. 1, 2002 when Minnesota hosted Iowa at the Target Center in Minneapolis.
To view a photo gallery from the Iowa-Iowa State dual, CLICK HERE.