Hawkeyes Blank Northern Iowa, 39-0

Dec. 9, 2010

PARDON OUR PROGRESS! As friends of the UI and fans of the Hawkeyes know, the UI Athletics Department is well into a multi-million dollar revitalization of Carver-Hawkeye Arena. This important and exciting project has reduced for this season the number of ticket windows that are operational on game nights. Fans attending the home events of the 2010-11 UI men’s basketball, women’s basketball and wrestling teams are invited to avoid game night delays by purchasing their event tickets online or in advance of game day. If your schedule doesn’t allow for an advance purchase, we recommend you consider arriving at the Arena a little earlier than originally planned. Go Hawks!

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa — The seventh-ranked University of Iowa wrestling team extended its winning streak to 68 duals and improved to 7-0 on the season with a 39-0 win at Northern Iowa Thursday night. The Hawkeyes posted their 36th straight win over the Panthers (4-4) in front of a capacity crowd of 2,200 at the West Gym in Cedar Falls.

Iowa held a 29-1 takedown advantage on the night, recording two pins and three major decisions in its 10 victories. The Hawkeyes were tough on top, with seven wrestlers accumulating at least 1:00 of riding time in their bouts. Six Iowa wrestlers kept their undefeated records intact with their wins.

“Our guys were wrestling in positions they were comfortable in, and that they were good at,” said Head Coach Tom Brands. “They were wrestling smart. Wrestling where guys were giving them advantages, and a lot of good things were happening.”

Iowa redshirt freshman Tony Ramos opened the dual at 133 with his 12-3 major decision of Northern Iowa sophomore Ryan Jauch. Ramos scored four takedowns and accumulated 2:23 in riding time to stay undefeated at 4-0. Hawkeye sophomore Mark Ballweg also kept his 7-0 record spotless with a 3-0 win over Panther junior Aaron Senzee at 141, collecting 3:49 in riding time. At 149, Iowa sophomore Jeret Chiri led Panther Jamal Lawrence, 8-3, in the third period before turning the Panther in 5:59 and collecting his second pin of the season. Redshirt freshman Derek St. John improved to 7-0 with his 8-4 victory over David Bonin at 157. Hawkeye senior Aaron Janssen gave Iowa a 19-0 lead going into the intermission with his 4-0 decision over Panther Nick Pickerell at 165. Janssen, who tallied 2:08 of riding time in the bout, is now 10-0 this season.

Redshirt freshman Ethen Lofthouse kept the Iowa momentum going with his 16-5 major decision over redshirt freshman Brice Wolf at 174. Lofthouse snagged seven takedowns and totaled 1:07 in riding time. Sophomore Grant Gambrall kept his 7-0 record intact with a 4-2 decision over redshirt freshman Ryan Loder at 184. Hawkeye senior Luke Lofthouse scored eight takedowns and accumulated 3:24 in riding time for his 19-7 major decision over Joe Johnson at 197. Hawkeye junior Blake Rasing picked up his 15th career victory with a 2-0 decision over nationally-ranked junior heavyweight Christian Brantley. After a scoreless first period, Rasing rode Brantley the entire second period and scored an escape early in the third period for the 2-0 win. Hawkeye sophomore Matt McDonough ended the dual with his 1:12 pin of Terrance Young to remain undefeated at 7-0.

Up next for Iowa is a trip to the 47th annual Midlands Championships, which will be held Dec. 29-30 in Evanston, IL. The Hawkeyes are the defending team champions and have won the most team titles (21) in the 47-year history of the meet. All matches will be held at Welsh-Ryan Arena on Northwestern University’s campus.

#7 Iowa 39, Northern Iowa 0
133 – Tony Ramos (Iowa) maj. dec. Ryan Jauch (Northern Iowa), 12-3
141 – Mark Ballweg (Iowa) dec. Aaron Senzee (Northern Iowa), 3-0
149 – Jeret Chiri (Iowa) pinned Jamal Lawrence (Northern Iowa), 5:59
157 – Derek St. John (Iowa) dec. David Bonin (Northern Iowa), 8-4
165 – Aaron Janssen (Iowa) dec. Nick Pickerell (Northern Iowa), 4-0
174 – Ethen Lofthouse (Iowa) maj. dec. Brice Wolf (Northern Iowa), 16-5
184 – Grant Gambrall (Iowa) dec. Ryan Loder (Northern Iowa), 4-2
197 – Luke Lofthouse (Iowa) maj. dec. Joe Johnson (Northern Iowa), 19-7
Hwt. – Blake Rasing (Iowa) dec. Christian Brantley (Northern Iowa), 2-0
125 – Matt McDonough (Iowa) pinned Terrance Young (Northern Iowa), 1:12