Jan. 10, 2010
CEDAR FALLS, IA — The top-ranked University of Iowa wrestling team won its 50th straight dual Sunday morning when it defeated #6 Minnesota, 28-12, in the NWCA/Cliff Keen National Duals championship semifinals at the UNI Dome in Cedar Falls, IA. Iowa improved to 12-0 with the win, while Minnesota fell to 5-3. The Hawkeyes will face #2 Iowa State in the championship finals at 3 p.m. Iowa won its last meeting with the Cyclones, 18-16, Dec. 6 in Ames.
Iowa started off with a 6-0 lead on identical 6-4 decisions by redshirt freshmen Matt McDonough (125) and Nate Moore (133). McDonough, who is ranked fourth in the nation, trailed #6 Zach Sanders of Minnesota 3-1 in the second period, but scored a second-period takedown, a reversal to start the third period and accumulated 1:32 of riding time for the win. He is undefeated at 18-0 this season. Moore was tied 3-3 with Minnesota redshirt freshman Thane Antczak after the first period, but scored an escape and takedown in the second period to secure his ninth win of the season.
Minnesota tied the score at 6-6 at 141 with #6 Mike Thorn’s pin of Hawkeye sophomore Montell Marion in 42 seconds. The pair started the period with several scrambles and the pin was recorded without a takedown being awarded.
Iowa rolled off wins at the next five weights to secure the team victory. Top-ranked Hawkeye senior Brent Metcalf answered Thorn’s pin at 141 with one of his own, sticking sophomore David Zilverberg in 2:18 at 149. It was Metcalf’s 90th career victory, and he remains undefeated at 18-0 this season. Hawkeye junior Aaron Janssen recorded two takedowns and three nearfall points in his 11-5 victory over Minnesota redshirt freshman Mario Mason at 157. At 165, senior Ryan Morningstar scored nine nearfall points en route to a 17-2 technical fall over Golden Gopher sophomore Joe Grygelko. Morningstar is now 14-2 this season, going 9-1 in dual matches. Iowa seniors Jay Borschel (174) and Phillip Keddy (184) both scored major decisions in their bouts. Borschel scored an 11-3 win over Minnesota junior Scott Glasser to remain undefeated at 17-0, while Keddy blanked sophomore Kaleb Young, 11-0, en route to his 13th win of the season.
Minnesota won the last two bouts of the dual by decision. Sophomore Sonny Yohn posted a 6-1 win over Hawkeye junior Luke Lofthouse at 197, and junior Ben Berhow recorded a 6-3 victory over Iowa sophomore Blake Rasing at heavyweight.
Iowa’s championship finals match with Iowa State will be broadcast live on Iowa Public Television. Hawkeye fans can also see and hear the dual on the radio and internet. Livesportsvideo.com will air online video for a $5 fee. Steven Grace and two-time Hawkeye NCAA champion and four-time all-American Mark Ironside will call the action for live on AM-800, KXIC and www.hawkeyesports.com using the Hawkeye All-Access subscription ($14.95 per month or $119.95 per year). Takedownradio.com will also air an audio broadcast. Tournament brackets and live scoring results will be available at www.nwcaonline.com.
#1 Iowa 28, #6 Minnesota 12
125 – Matt McDonough (Iowa) dec. Zach Sanders (Minnesota), 6-4
133 – Nate Moore (Iowa) dec. Thane Antczak (Minnesota), 6-4
141 – Mike Thorn (Minnesota) pinned Montell Marion (Iowa), 0:42
149 – Brent Metcalf (Iowa) pinned David Zilverberg (Minnesota), 2:18
157 – Aaron Janssen (Iowa) dec. Mario Mason (Minnesota), 11-5
165 – Ryan Morningstar (Iowa) tech. fall Joe Grygelko (Minnesota), 17-2
174 – Jay Borschel (Iowa) maj. dec. Scott Glasser (Minnesota), 11-3
184 – Phillip Keddy (Iowa) maj. dec. Kaleb Young (Minnesota), 11-0
197 – Sonny Yohn (Minnesota) dec. Luke Lofthouse (Iowa), 6-1
Hwt. – Ben Berhow (Minnesota) dec. Blake Rasing (Iowa), 6-3