Hawkeyes Conclude Wrestle-Offs

Nov. 13, 2010

IOWA CITY, Iowa – The defending NCAA and Big Ten champion University of Iowa wrestling team hosted its annual wrestle-off finals Saturday morning at the UI Field House practice gym. Twelve bouts were contested during the intrasquad event.

“We’ve got a lot of obvious things to work on,” said University of Iowa Head Coach Tom Brands. “Those things come into sharp focus when you have an event like this.”

Hawkeye fans got a look at the future of the wrestling team as 16 of Saturday’s 24 competitors are underclassmen. Defending NCAA Champion Matt McDonough opened the meet at 125 with match-ending 20-3 technical fall in 6:08. Fans were treated to an exciting match at 133 between junior Tyler Clark and sophomore Nate Moore. Tied at 1-1 at the end of regulation, Clark kept Moore from escaping during the first 30-second tiebreak period, and then recorded a pin at the 8:48 mark. Two of the three Ballweg brothers posted victories, as sophomore Mark posted a 12-4 major decision over freshman Ethan Owens at 141, and freshman Jacob scored an 8-7 win over sophomore Jeret Chiri at 149. Redshirt freshman Derek St. John spoiled the Ballweg sweep with his 6-2 win over senior Matt at 157. Seniors Jake Kerr and Aaron Janssen battled at 165, with Kerr recording four takedowns for the 9-3 decision. The Lofthouse family had two victories to celebrate as redshirt freshmen Ethen scored a 4-2 win over freshman Mike Evans at 174. Luke Lofthouse, who is a senior and Ethen’s uncle, scored a 14-4 major decision over redshirt freshman Tomas Lira at 197. At 184, sophomore Grant Gambrall scored an 8-2 win over junior Vinnie Wagner. Junior Blake Rasing scored a takedown in overtime to post a 3-1 decision over junior Jordan Johnson at heavyweight. Redshirt freshman Dylan Carew closed out the event, pinning sophomore Joe Moore in nine seconds at 149.

Iowa will open the 2010-11 season Friday with the third-annual Iowa City Duals at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The Hawkeyes will face Iowa Central at 4 p.m. and Coe College at 6 p.m. Season tickets can be ordered from the UI Athletics Ticket Office, at (319) 335-9323, or online at hawkeyesports.com. Tickets are $67 for members of the public and $55 for UI faculty and staff. Tickets for the Iowa City Duals are $10 for adults and $5 for youth if purchased in advance, and $12 for adults and $6 for youth if purchased at the door.

Thursday’s Wrestle-Off Results
133 – Tony Ramos tech. fall Charlie Joseph, 20-4 in 6:47

Friday’s Wrestle-Off Results
133 – Nate Moore dec. Nick Trizzino, 3-2
133 – Tyler Clark dec. Tony Ramos, 3-2 TB
141 – Ethan Owens tech. fall Joe Moore, 17-1 in 4:57
149 – Jeret Chiri dec. Stew Gillmor, 8-5
149 – Jacob Ballweg maj. dec. Ethan Sebert, 9-1
157 – Matt Ballweg dec. Nick Moore, 3-2
157 – Derek St. John dec. Michael Kelly, 11-4
174 – Mike Evans dec. Jeremy Fahler, 7-2
184 – Vinnie Wagner dec. Tomas Lira, 2-0
Hwt. – Jordan Johnson dec. Bobby Telford, 2-1 TB

Saturday’s Wrestle-Off Results
125 – Matt McDonough tech. fall Matt Gurule, 20-3 in 6:08
133 – Tyler Clark pinned Nate Moore, 8:48
133 – Tony Ramos dec. Nick Trizzino, 4-3
141 – Mark Ballweg maj. dec. Ethan Owens, 12-4
149 – Jacob Ballweg dec. Jeret Chiri, 8-7
157 – Derek St. John dec. Matt Ballweg, 6-2
165 – Jake Kerr dec. Aaron Janssen, 9-3
174 – Ethen Lofthouse dec. Mike Evans, 4-2
184 – Grant Gambrall dec. Vinnie Wagner, 8-2
197 – Luke Lofthouse maj. dec. Tomas Lira, 14-4
Hwt. – Blake Rasing dec. Jordan Johnson, 3-1 SV
149 – Dylan Carew pinned Joe Moore, 0:09