Feb. 22, 2016
- IowaCitytoRio.com
- 2016 Olympic Trails at Carver-Hawkeye Arena
- Read the February issue of Hawk Talk Monthly
- Big Ten Network: Free Hawkeye Video
- 24 Hawkeyes to Watch
IOWA CITY, Iowa — The second-ranked University of Iowa wrestling team saw its run at an undefeated regular season end with a 21-17 loss to fourth-ranked NC State on Monday at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
The Wolfpack split five matches with the Hawkeyes, but scored bonus points in three bouts to win their Division I leading 23rd dual of the season. Iowa dropped to 16-1 overall.
 |
Thomas Gilman and Brandon Sorensen recorded major decisions for Iowa. NC State countered with one major decision, one technical fall, and one win by forfeit.
Two-time defending champion Nick Gwiazdowski led 8-1 before seventh-ranked Sam Stoll stopped the 285-pound match for a second time due to injury. University of Iowa head coach Tom Brands didn’t have an injury update following the dual, but did offer an evaluation on his freshman heavyweight.
“He did some good things and there was progress,” Brands said. “Progress and then letting the leg come up though, you can’t let guys do that, that’s where you’re vulnerable.”
Gilman’s major decision came at the expense of No. 17 Sean Fausz at 125. He scored three takedowns in the first three minutes, opened the second with a reversal, and added three takedowns over the final three minutes to earn a 15-5 major decision.
Cory Clark won by decision, 9-3, at 133, and Sorensen piled up 3:10 riding time with six takedowns to win 13-4 at 149. NC State won by technical fall at 141 and major decision at 157 to stay within two points at intermission, 11-9.
The Wolfpack grabbed the team lead with a 6-3 decision at 165. Sixth-ranked Max Rohskopf defeated Patrick Rhoads to make Iowa play from behind for the first time since trailing after the 174-pound match in the season opener against Oklahoma State.
It was the first lead change of the dual, and the first of five lead changes in the second half. The teams split the next four matches, with sixth-ranked Alex Meyer defeating Nicky Hall, 4-2, at 174, and fourth-ranked Nathan Burak winning 9-4 against No. 11 Michael Boykin at 197.
The Wolfpack won 7-3 at 184, where No. 16 Pete Renda avenged a Midlands loss to No. 6 Sammy Brooks, and again at 285, where Gwiazdowski won for the 82nd time in a row.
Iowa returns to the mat March 5-6 to host the 2016 Big Ten Championships at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
“We have 12 days until the Big Tens and we have to be ready,” said Brands. “We have a team with guys who like to score points and bonus points. Getting knocked off here, I don’t think that’s a major issue. I think our guys are up for a challenge and they better be.”
The Hawkeyes shared the tournament title with Ohio State last season and have won 35 Big Ten Championships in program history. Tickets are available at the UI Athletics Ticket Office, over the phone at 800-IA-HAWKS, or online at hawkeyesports.com.
NOTES: Attendance was 6,056… Alex Meyer improved to 15-0 in his career at Carver-Hawkeye Arena… Iowa’s All-Americans (Gilman, Clark, Sorensen, Burak) improved to 83-2 overall with 54 wins by bonus points.
#4 NC State 21, #2 Iowa 17
125 — #2 Thomas Gilman (IA) major dec. #17 Sean Fausz (NCST), 15-5; 4-0
133 — #3 Cory Clark (IA) dec. Jamal Morris (NCST), 9-3; 7-0
141 — #3 Kevin Jack (NCST) tech. fall Brody Grothus (IA), 18-3; 7-5
149 — #2 Brandon Sorensen (IA) major dec. Beau Donahue (NCST), 13-4; 11-5
157 — #4 Tommy Gantt (NCST) major dec. #18 Edwin Cooper, Jr. (IA), 13-5; 11-9
165 — #6 Max Rohskopf (NCST) dec. Patrick Rhoads (IA), 6-3; 11-12
174 — #10 Alex Meyer (IA) dec. Nicky Hall (NCST), 4-2; 14-12
184 — #16 Pete Renda (NCST) dec. #10 Sammy Brooks (IA), 7-3; 14-15
197 — #4 Nathan Burak (IA) dec. #14 Michael Boykin (NCST), 9-4; 17-15
285 — #1 Nick Gwiazdowski (NCST) won by injury default over #7 Sam Stoll (IA); 17-21
