Hawkeyes Demolish Wildcats, 37-3

IOWA CITY, Iowa – The University of Iowa wrestling team defeated Northwestern, 37-3, on Sunday afternoon on Mediacom Mat at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. 

Iowa had 35 takedowns to Northwestern’s one, and outscored the Wildcats in match points, 123-27. 

“Need to keep it moving in the right direction that’s where we are at,” said head coach Tom Brands. “We have Oklahoma State in one week.” 

With the dual starting at 157, Miguel Estrada took ninth-ranked Trever Chumbley to sudden victory but gave up a neutral danger count takedown and fell 4-1. 

From that point on it was all Hawkeyes as Iowa won nine straight bouts including six via bonus point. 

Michael Caliendo gave the Hawkeyes their first win ending his 165-pound bout against No. 18 Maxx Mayfield early via technical fall, 19-4. 

At 174, Nelson Brands followed it up with a tech. fall of his own in his return to the lineup for the first time since Nov. 15. He defeated Aiden Vandenbush, 21-5. 

“It felt good,” said Nelson Brands. “It’s been a long road since December. Dealing with things that are never fun to deal with, so just being able to step on the mat again was great.” 

Gabe Arnold added to the Hawkeyes bonus points defeating Jon Halvorsen at 184 by major decision, 13-2. 

Stephen Buchanan sent the Hawkeyes to the break leading, 19-3, with an 18-2 technical fall over 14th-ranked Evan Bates. 

Ben Kueter picked up right where the Hawkeyes left off at intermission notching a 20-4 technical fall over Northwestern heavyweight Dirk Morley. 

“Coach the last couple of days was talking about righting a wrong,” said Kueter. “That was my focus going into this match, but on to the next one.”  

Joey Cruz kept the win streak going defeating Dedrick Navarro via a decision at 125, before Jesse Ybarra got the nod at 133 and won, 7-3, over Massey Odiotti. 

Cullan Schriever tacked on bonus points for the Hawkeyes at 141, defeating Luis Bazan with a 9-0 major decision. 

And at 149, Kyle Parco closed out the dual with a ranked win defeating No. 25 Sam Cartella, 9-2.

The Hawkeyes return to action next week taking on Oklahoma State at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday. 

#3 Iowa 37, Northwestern 3
157 – #9 Trevor Chumbley (N) dec. Miguel Estrada (I), 4-1 SV1 
165 – #2 Michael Caliendo (I) tech. fall #18 Maxx Mayfield (N), 19-4
174 – Nelson Brands (I) tech fall. Aiden Vandenbush (N), 21-5
184 – #8 Gabe Arnold (I) major dec. Jon Halvorsen (N), 13-2
197 – #1 Stephen Buchanan (I) tech. fall #14 Evan Bates (N), 18-2
285 – #11 Ben Kueter (I) tech. fall Dirk Morley (N), 20-4
125 – #26 Joey Cruz (I) dec. Dedrick Navarro (N), 6-1
133 – Jesse Ybarra (I) dec. Massey Odiotti (N), 7-3
141 – Cullan Schriever (I) major dec. Luis Bazan (N), 9-0
149 – #3 Kyle Parco (I) dec. #25 Sam Cartella (N), 9-2 

Officials: Peter Mankowich, Jay Cox
Attendance: 12,807