Dec. 29, 2015
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EVANSTON, Illinois — The University of Iowa wrestling team posted a 7-3 record in the quarterfinal round of the Midlands Championship on Tuesday night. The Hawkeyes have individual title hopes in seven weights, with all No. 1 seeded wrestlers remaining en route to the championships.
Iowa sits in first place with 96 points. Nebraska is a distant second with 78 points, followed by Rutgers (62), North Carolina State (49.5), and Northwestern (42.5).
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“It’s up, then it’s down, but it’s a lot more up than down,” said UI head coach Tom Brands. “Advancing seven wrestlers is good, even with takedowns at what seems like a premium right now”.
First-seeded Thomas Gilman continued to rake in bonus points for the Hawkeyes, delivering a pin to No. 8 Keegan Calkins (Oregon State) at 2:53. The fall is Gilman’s fifth of the season and 14th overall.
“Gilman, every time he comes out tries to wrestle harder and he has wrestled harder”, Brands said of the 125 pounder. “That match was like an avalanche for that guy and that’s what we’ve got to have. That seems to be Gilman’s best chance to dominate and he has, so good for him”.
Defending champion Cory Clark secured a semifinal berth for the second consecutive year at 133 pounds. Clark collected a 7-1 decision over Columbia’s Angelo Amenta, recording two takedowns to continue his run towards the finals.
Brandon Sorensen, seeded first at 149, advances to the semifinals for the third time in as many years at the Midlands. The sophomore posted a 9-5 decision against eighth-seeded Ken Theobald, wrestling unattached from Rutgers.
Alex Meyer (174) collected a 3-1 decision over #9 Phil Bakuckas (Rutgers) and Sammy Brooks (184) used a 5-2 decision against #5 Hayden Zillmer (North Dakota State) to continue into the semifinal matches.
Senior Nathan Burak continues his advancement towards consecutive titles at 197, earning a spot in the semifinals with an 8-2 decision over North Carolina State’s eighth seeded Michael Boykin. The victory pushes Burak’s season record to 10-0 on the season.
Continuing his streak of firsts, Sam Stoll will be making his Midlands semifinals debut at heavyweight after collecting a tight 2-0 decision victory over fifth-ranked Billy Smith (Rutgers).
“The biggest thing in tournaments like these is getting ready for multiple matches and being ready for whatever is thrown at you,” Brands said. “If you’re looking too far ahead, you could be the one that gets upset so you want to be focused one match at a time and keep things going.”
Session III of the Midlands Championships is set to begin at 12 p.m. (CT) Wednesday. Updated team standings and complete tournament brackets are available throughout the tournament at nusports.com and on trackwrestling.com.
QUARTERFINAL RESULTS (# indicates tournament seed)
125 – #1 Thomas Gilman (IA) pinned #8 Keegan Calkins (Oregon State), 2:53
133 – #1 Cory Clark (IA) dec. Angelo Amenta (Columbia), 7-1
149 – #1 Brandon Sorensen (IA) dec. #8 Ken Theobald (Rutgers-unat.), 9-5
149 – #3 Alexander Richardson (Old Dominion) dec. Michael Kemerer (IA-unat.), 11-9
157 – #2 Thomas Gantt (N. Carolina State) maj. dec. #7 Edwin Cooper, Jr. (IA), 17-6
165 – #4 Tanner Weatherman (Iowa State) pinned Patrick Rhoads (IA), 0:45
174 – #1 Alex Meyer (IA) dec. #9 Phil Bakuckas (Rutgers), 3-1
184 – #4 Sammy Brooks (IA) dec. #5 Hayden Zillmer (North Dakota State), 5-2
197 – #1 Nathan Burak (IA) dec. #8 Michael Boykin (North Carolina State), 8-2
285 – #4 Sam Stoll (IA) dec. #5 Billy Smith (Rutgers), 2-0
CONSOLATION RESULTS
141 – Topher Carton (IA) dec. Vince Turk (IA-unat.), 8-7
141 – Seth Gross (SDSU) dec. Topher Carton (IA), 7-2
184 – Ben Schwery (SDSU) dec. Cash Wilcke (IA-unat.), 3-0
197 – #13 Ryan Wolfe (Rider) dec. Steven Holloway (IA-unat.), 10-4
SEMIFINAL MATCHUPS
125 – #1 Thomas Gilman (IA) vs. #5 Joshua Rodriguez (North Dakota St.)
133 – #1 Cory Clark (IA) vs. #13 Emilio Saavedra (Old Dominion)
149 – #1 Brandon Sorensen (IA) vs. #4 Jake Sueflohn (Nebraska)
174 – #1 Alex Meyer (IA) vs. #4 Cody Walters (Ohio U.)
184 – #4 Sammy Brooks (IA) vs. #1 David Taylor (Nittany Lion Wrestling Club)
197 – #1 Nathan Burak (IA) vs. #5 Aaron Studebaker (Nebraska)
285 – #4 Sam Stoll (IA) vs. #1 Nick Gwiazdowski (N. Carolina State)
CONSOLATION MATCHUPS
149 – Michael Kemerer (IA-unat.) vs. #12 Joey Delgado (Oregon St.)
157 – #7 Edwin Cooper, Jr. (IA) vs. #8 Richie Lewis (Rutgers)
165 – Patrick Rhoads (IA) vs. Austin Reese (Ohio U.)
