Iowa Hawkeye Wrestling Riding High, but still Beatable
By Kif Richmann
The Iowa Hawkeye wrestling team went on a little trip this weekend, first to Evanston, Ill., and then to University Park Penn to face the #1 Nittany Lions.
Two weeks before the Hawkeyes were down, having tied Oklahoma State in Stillwater and snapping a 69 dual meet winning streak. Things were looking a little bleak for the three time defending championship Hawkeyes.
The return of Montell Marion has given Iowa a boost at both 141 and 149. Marion is now ranked #3 after this weekend's win. (photo via thegazette.com)
Before the road trip, Iowa head wrestling coach Tom Brands visited the KRUI studio and talked about the return of Montell Marion
Download: Tom%20on%20Marion.MP3
Two weeks later, and the wrestling world has been put on notice: after beating Cael Sanderson’s Nittany Lions, the Hawkeyes are at the top of their game, and with the addition of Montell Marion at 141, Iowa expects to beat anyone, anywhere.
But they are still vulnerable.
While Marion’s return to the lineup has give the Hawkeye’s an immediate jump start, it should be noted that Mark Ballweg was doing a decent job at 141 before Sunday’s meet at Penn State and will now be a boost at 149. He had wrestled aggressively against all competitors, and even raked up a few impressive wins, including a decision over retrurning all-American Chris Drouin of Iowa State. Mark had wrestled so well, in fact, that Tom Brands bumped him up to the 149 spot in the Penn State dual.
Although he lost to #5 Frank Molinaro in Pennsylvania, Mark Ballweg should be competitive at 149 as soon as he gets comfortable in the weight class. (Mark Ballweg replaced his older brother Matt, who has struggled at 149 this season.)
While Iowa’s 125 lb stud and returning national champion Matt McDonough appears to be on the charge, having accumulated 3 pins in a row. But there is still a question of how he will fare if he again faces Brandon Precin of Northwestern. Precin beat him in at the Midlands Championships, and was beating McDonough 3-0 with riding time in this weekend’s dual when McDonough stuck him for the pin in the 3rd period.
The pin looks great, but it appears that Precin can score on McDonough, something few wrestlers can claim.
Tony Ramos is on fire at 133, and after beating then #5 Andrew Long of Penn State, Ramos has been bumped up into the #8 individual ranking for intermat.com.
Derek St. John, however, has yet to find his rhythm. The current Intermat #9 at 157 has been hot and cold all season, and St. John was given a loss by major decision against fellow freshman David Taylor of PSU. If St. John doesn’t pick it up soon, 157 could be a hole in the Hawkeye’s title chances.
Grant Gambrall also had a good weekend, going 2-0 on the road trip, which included an 8-3 win over Quintin Wright of Penn State. Gambrall took advantage of a banged up Wright who came to the mat on Sunday with a wrap around one shoulder. Although Wright outranked Gambrall before the weekend, Gambrall and Wright are now 13 and 14 respectively, according to Intermat.
With the Hawkeyes riding high after beating the #1 team in the country, Tom Brands will be expecting big things from his wrestlers. But while beating Sanderson and company is a nice feather in the cap, it’s all a buildup to the national championships in March.
How do you think the Hawkeyes will fare in March? Give us a reply and get in on the conversation.
Tom and Terry Brands visit the KRUI Studios
By Kif Richmann
(photo: Max Johnson)
Tom and Terry Brands of the Iowa wrestling team stopped in to the studio to talk with the Sports Staff on Wednesday. Tom, the Hawkeye head coach, and his twin brother Terry, the associate head coach, had a lot to share about upcoming competition, learning under Dan Gable, health issues surrounding the sport of wrestling, and much more.
Tom and Terry talk about the upcoming competition against Northwestern and Penn State
Download: Brandsbros%20Seg%201.MP3
The Brands brothers discuss their upbringing and wrestling under Dan Gable
Download: Brandsbros%20Seg%202.MP3
The Iowa coaches and twin brothers talk about health and weight-cutting issues in wrestling
Download: Brandsbros%20Seg%203.MP3
Tom and Terry Brands discuss heavyweight Blake Rasing, the return of Montell Marion, and the additions to Carver-Hawkeye Arena
Download: Brandsbros%20Seg%204.MP3
(photo: Max Johnson)
Hawkeye Wrestlers Sail Past Southern Illinois-Edwardsville
By Kif Richmann
The Iowa Hawkeye wrestling team used five pins and two tech. falls to roll over Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Friday night, 49-0.
Iowa struggled the week before at the Midlands Championships, and Edwardsville came in as a sacrificial lamb to the #7 Hawkeyes. The Cougars have one dual win on the season (1-8) and only sent out one wrestler with a winning record. The Hawkeyes used the SIUE’s lack of depth to their advantage, marching to the biggest point difference of the season.
Matt McDonough and the Hawkeye wrestling team made short work of the SIUE Cougars (photo via hawkcentral.com)
Iowa head wrestling coach Tom Brands discusses win over SIUE and upcoming dual with #2 Oklahoma State
Download: Tom%20Brands%20post%20SIUE%20win.MP3
2010 NCAA champion sophomore Matt McDonough started the meet with a pin over Paul Myers at 125. It was McDonough’s third pin in dual competition this season, and he improved his record to 12-1, the best on the Hawkeye roster.
Brothers Mark and Matt Ballweg picked up back-to-back bonus points for the Hawkeyes, as younger brother Mark, a sophomore, picked up a pin in 2:03 at the 141 spot followed by a 16-1 tech. fall from senior Matt at 149. The collegiate win was Matt Ballweg’s first of the season.
Other Hawkeye wrestlers to pick up pins were Aaron Janssen (165), Grant Gambrall (184), and Luke Lofthouse (197)
The closest match of the night came from the heavyweights, as Iowa’s Blake Rasing was tied 4-4 with David Devine, Jr. with about 40 seconds left in the match. A final takedown would give Rasing two points and a riding time bonus for the 7-4 win.
The Iowa Hawkeye wrestling team will now prepare for a much tougher challenge in #2 Oklahoma State. The Hawkeyes will travel to Stillwater, OK on January 16th for the annual showdown with the Cowboys. Iowa has won two consecutive dual meets over OSU, but Oklahoma State was responsible for the last Iowa dual meet loss, when the Cowboys defeated the Hawkeyes 19-14 in January 2008.
#7 University of Iowa 49, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville 0
125 – Matt McDonough (I) pinned Paul Myers (SIUE), 1:47
133 – Tony Ramos (I) tech. fall John Petrov (SIUE), 20-5 in 5:55
141 – Mark Ballweg (I) pinned Lawrence Blackful, III (SIUE), 2:03
149 – Matt Ballweg (I) tech. fall Derrick Pousson (SIUE), 16-1
157 – Derek St. John (I) dec. Kyle Lowman (SIUE), 9-2
165 – Aaron Janssen (I) pinned Gabe Hocum (SIUE), 2:46
174 – Ethen Lofthouse (I) dec. Michael Dace (SIUE), 14-7
184 – Grant Gambrall (I) pinned Deshoun White (SIUE), 2:28
197 – Luke Lofthouse (I) pinned Robert Cooney (SIUE), 3:36
Hwt. – Blake Rasing (I) dec. David Devine, Jr. (SIUE), 7-4
Iowa Hawkeye Wrestlers Prepare for Midlands Championship
By Kif Richmann
The Iowa Hawkeye wrestling team is preparing for the annual Midlands Championships, hosted in Evanston, Illinois on December 29th and 30th, and head coach Tom Brands says that Midlands, which is the first big tournament of the season, will provide a gauge on the progress of his young team.
- Tom Brands and the 2010-11 Iowa Hawkeye
- wrestling team (photo via thegazette.com)
“This is a good dress rehearsal (for the post-season tournaments),” said Brands, ”Midlands are important to this program and it’s an important accolade to your career. It’s very prestigious and we put a lot of emphasis on it.”
Under Tom Brands, the Iowa Hawkeyes never finished worse than 2nd place at the Midlands. The Hawkeyes have won three consecutive Midlands Championships, and placed 2nd in 2006, Brands first year, behind the Iowa State Cyclones.
The Hawkeyes have one returning Midlands champion in the lineup, sophomore Matt McDonough. McDonough used last years tournament as a spring board to a national title and 37-1 overall record.
“(MidLands) was a huge stepping stone for me last year,” said McDonough,” it’s turned into more than just a regional tournament, there’s guys coming from all over the nation.”
The Midlands Championships, allow for teams to send ten wrestlers to represent the team for points. Although Brands says he does not have a final lineup written, he does expect all his wrestlers to be ready for the Midlands.
Derek St. John, who placed fifth in 157 at the Midlands last year wrestling unattached, says he will use his previous experience as a starting point, but will still maintain his same approach, despite being this year’s starter.
“I guess there’s more pressure,” said St. John, “but I don’t look at it that way. I just approach it the same way and see what happens.”
Aaron Janssen and Jake Kerr, who are both entered in the tournament, will have a chance to sort out the 165 weight class and hopefully determine who will be the starter come March, when the Big Ten and NCAA tournaments start.
“This Midlands is going to solve a lot, but it’s not going to be the end-all,” said Brands.
Hawkeye Wrestlers Sweep Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls
By Kif Richmann
The University of Iowa Hawkeye wrestling team hit the road last night for Cedar Falls, and the meet couldn’t have gone much smoother for the Hawks, as they blanked the Panthers 39-0.
Sophomore wrestler Jeret Chiri (149) picked up a much needed pin for the Hawkeyes (Benjamin Roberts/ Press-Citizen)
Tony Ramos started the meet with four take downs and a major decision over Ryan Jauch of the Panthers. Ramos, who has started at the 133 spot since getting the nod on November 26th against Cornell College, is 4-0 on the season. Ramos’ four wins include three major decisions and a tech fall.
Jeret Chiri finally got things going for himself when he pinned UNI’s Jamal Lawrence in 5:59. This is exactly what Chiri needed to stay in the starting lineup as Last weekend Chiri was defeated by major decision twice, and reports were circulating that Chiri could be replaced by Matt Ballweg until starter Dylan Carew returns from injury.
At 165, Aaron Janssen took the mat for a 4-0 decision. The 165 spot has been up in the air all season, as Janssen and Jake Kerr have gone back and forth, and but neither one has stepped up and fully grasped the spot.
In the only match between two ranked wrestlers, Iowa’s heavyweight Blake Rasing plodded his way to a 2-0 victory over Panther wrestler Christian Brantley. After a scoreless first, Brantley chose to go down but was unable to escape from underneath Rasing. An early escape from Rasing in the third left the Hawkeye heavyweight with a bonus riding time point and a 2-0 victory.
Star wrestler Matt McDonough picked up his first pin of the season as he took out Terrance Young in the first period. McDonough is ranked number one in every major poll and is a favorite to win a repeat championship at collegiate wrestling’s lightest weight.
#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
Now the Hawkeyes are left with 20 days off before traveling to Evanston for the Midlands Championships. The Hawkeyes have won three Midlands titles in a row, and were a second place finish in 2006, just under Iowa State.
Iowa Hawkeyes Win Dual Against Cyclones, Wait for New Trophy
By Kif Richmann
The Iowa Hawkeyes beat the Iowa State Cyclones in the annual wrestling dual 22-13 Friday night in Carver-Hawkeye Arena, and now await a freshly announced traveling prize: The Dan Gable Trophy.
Iowa won six out of the ten matches, and took advantage of four major decisions to build a comfortable lead.
Iowa head coach Tom Brands watches as Derek St. John (top) wrestles against ISU's Trent Weatherman (photo: Benjamin Roberts/ Press-Citizen)
Iowa head coach Tom Brands disscusses his team’s performance vs. ISU
ISU head coach Kevin Jackson after Friday’s loss to Iowa
Iowa 141 lb wrestler Mark Ballweg after his upset of all-American Chris Drouin
The Dan Gable Trophy itself has not been built yet; it actually hasn’t even been designed yet, but as soon as it’s finished, it will be delivered to the Hawkeye trophy case for winning the yearly grudge match between two of the top wrestling programs in the country. The trophy be awarded annually to the winner of the Iowa-Iowa State wrestling dual meet.
The Highlight of the night for the Hawkeyes came from sophmore Mark Ballweg (141), who upset senior wrestler and previous All-American Chris Drouin by a 3-1 margin. Ballweg was down 1-0 to start the third period, but took advantage of an early escape and a takedown with 11 seconds left to defeat the Arizona State transfer. Ballweg moves to 5-0 on the season, including three pins and a tech. fall.
The meet started at the 197 wieght class, where Luke Lofthouse was unable to stave off Jerome Ward in overtime. Ward had a one point lead with three seconds left but was given his third stall warning, forcing overtime. Ward would bounce back, scoring a takedown in sudden victory overtime.
Other notable matches include the 157 match, where Derek St. John racked up 5 takedowns and 2:40 of riding time in route to a 12-3 major decision. At 165 pounds, two wrestlers in the top 25 by AWN and Intermat rankings squared off, but Jake Kerr for the Hawkeyes was unable defeat Andrew Sorenson of ISU, 4-1. Sorenson scored two point in the second period and Kerr’s only point came off a third period escape.
#6 University of Iowa 22, #14 Iowa State University 13
197 – Jerome Ward (ISU) dec. Luke Lofthouse (I), 5-3 SV *
Hwt. – Blake Rasing (I) dec. Kyle Simonson (ISU), 2-0
125 – Matt McDonough (I) maj. dec. Patrick Hunter (ISU), 14-4
133 – Tony Ramos (I) maj. dec. Brandon Jones (ISU), 14-5
141 – Mark Ballweg (I) dec. Chris Drouin (ISU), 3-1
149 – Nate Carr, Jr. (ISU) maj. dec. Jeret Chiri (I), 13-3
157 – Derek St. John (I) maj. dec. Trent Weatherman (ISU), 12-3
165 – Andrew Sorenson (ISU) dec. Jake Kerr (I), 4-1
174 – Jon Reader (ISU) dec. Ethen Lofthouse (I), 6-1
184 – Grant Gambrall (I) maj. dec. Cole Shafer (ISU), 12-3
Historical Notes: Iowa and Iowa State Wrestling
By: Mike Rabon
Matt McDonough (Photo by the Lee News Network via The Muscatine Journal)
Dan Gable, Cael Sanderson, Tom Brands, Harold Nichols, Jim Zalesky and many other names come to mind pondering the unparralled succes of The University of Iowa and Iowa State University Wrestling Programs. Dan Gable wrestled at Iowa State but built a dynasty at The University of Iowa that placed an indelible mark upon the foundations of intercollegiate athletics. Mr. Gable won 15 NCAA Team Championships and 21 consectutive Big10 Team Championships at The University of Iowa. Accolades and superlatives are innumerbale in referrencing Dan Gable and his intrasigent dedication to the sport of wrestling.
On Friday evening, Iowa hosts Iowa State in one of wrestling’s classic and revered rivalries. For wrestling fans everywhere, Cyclone fans and Hawkeye fans, here are some notable historical notes to ponder before, during and after the match:
All-Time Series Record: Iowa leads 58-16-2.
Team National Championships: Iowa 23 Iowa State 8.
Individual National Champions: Iowa 66 Iowa State 65
National Dual Meet Attendance Record: December 6th, 2008 Iowa State vs. Iowa at Carver Hawkeye Arena (15,955). #1 Iowa defeated #2 Iowa State 20-15.
Conference Championships: Iowa 32 Iowa State 14
Tom Brands v. Cael Sanderson (Head Coaching): Brands is 4-0 vs. Sanderson (*1 victory was last season, Sanderson coached the Penn State Nittany Lions).
In April of 2009, Iowa State named Kevin Jackson as the 7th Head Coach of the Iowa State Wrestling Program and his team took the eventual National Champions to the brink. Jackson was a member of the 1987 Cyclone National Championship team that ended the Hawkeye title steak at 9. Iowa fans should recognize and commend his accomplishments and respect the history of the Iowa State Cyclone Wrestling Program.
Friday evening, the #6 Iowa Hawkeyes will wrestle the #14 Iowa State Cyclones. The Iowa Hawkeyes have won 3 straight National Championships, including a 18-16 dual match victory over ISU last season in Ames. Iowa is 72-1 in the last 3+ seasons in dual matches. The Hawkeyes preeminence will be challenged by a hungry and talented Iowa State program on Friday night. Get out to Carver-Hawkeye Arena and be a witness to a rather esoteric sport for many sports fans across America.
Iowa Wrestlers Slotted for First Meet of 2010-11 Season
By Kif Richmann
The Iowa Hawkeye wrestling office released it’s probable lineup in a press release this morning, and while most of the names won’t surprise anybody, one name on the lineup might catch the attention of Iowa fans.
Head coach Tom Brands and the Iowa wrestling team will start the 2010-11 campaign Friday against Iowa Central (Brian Ray/ SourceMedia Group News)
Brands talks about filling the roster with 9 new starters
Nick Trizzino, a redshirt freshman out of Bettendorf, appears to have been given the nod by Tom Brands at 133. This is a big surprise because Trizzino lost both of his matches in the annual Wrestle Off last week, and was not in most of the conversation surrounding the 133 spot. It seemed that this weight class would come down to Nate Moore, who is ranked in the top 10, or Tyler Clark, who pinned Moore in the Wrestle Off. The third guy seemed to be Tony Ramos, who Brands said was working hard and showing potential during the off season.
At 149, both Dylan Carew and Jeret Chiri are listed at potential starters. The favorite there is Carew, and if he gets the nod, Iowa will likely send out four redshirt freshmen on Friday.
The 141 spot was also up for grabs, but it appears that Mark Ballweg had made the jump into the starting lineup.
Outside of those positions, the rest is pretty cut and dry. Returning NCAA champion Matt McDonough will hold down 125, and junior Jake Kerr will move up one wieght class and start at 165.
The only senior in the lineup is Luke Lofthouse, who saw the starting lineup last year when Chad Beatty was injured.
#7 Iowa Hawkeyes
Wt. Name Yr. Hometown Last School
125 Matt McDonough So. Marion, IA Linn-Mar HS
133 Nick Trizzino *Fr. Bettendorf, IA Bettendorf HS
141 Mark Ballweg So. Waverly, IA Waverly HS
149 Dylan Carew *Fr. Tiffin, IA Iowa City West HS
OR Jeret Chiri So. New London, IA New London HS
157 Derek St. John *Fr. Parnell, IA Iowa City West HS
165 Jake Kerr Jr. Oskaloosa, IA Oskaloosa HS
174 Ethen Lofthouse *Fr. Avon, UT Mountain Crest HS
184 Grant Gambrall So. Iowa City, IA Iowa City West HS
197 Luke Lofthouse Sr. Avon, UT Mountain Crest HS
HWT Blake Rasing Jr. New Hampton, IA New Hampton HS
* – redshirt freshman
Weekend Wrestle Off bumps a few Hawkeyes into Likely Starters
By Kif Richmann
The Iowa wrestling team wrapped up its annual Wrestle Off on Saturday, and few few surprises jump out in the final results.
Head coach Tom Brands addresses the 2010-11 Iowa wrestling team (Brian Ray/ SourceMedia Group News)
Tom Brands discusses filling 9 weight classes
First of all, Tyler Clark found a way to pin Nate Moore, making the 133 spot an even bigger question mark. Last year Moore was the man to fill on for Daniel Dennis when Dennis suffered an injury mid-season. Clark sat out a year after transferring from Iowa State but is now in the lineup and looking more and more like the man for the job. Moore, who is ranked #9 by Intermat, but will need some outstanding work in practice to be named the starter by Friday.
Dylan Carew must have really been sick of the Wrestle Off, because he ended the three day intrasquad competition with a 9 second pin over Joe Moore. While it would have been nice to see Carew wrestle a full match, a win in 9 seconds will definitely get the attention of the coaching staff.
While pins look really nice on the stat sheet, but a better sign of domination over an opponent is a technical fall. Three Hawkeyes recorded tech falls, starting with Tony Ramos, who beat freshman Charlie Joseph 20-4 on Thursday night. Although Ramos is not going to be the starter this year, head coach Tom Brands will surly notice a big win in points.
On Friday, freshman Ethan Owens picked up a tech fall over sophomore Joe Moore at 141, but was unable to keep the pace when he lost to Mark Balweg. Balweg has likely secured his spot in the starting lineup, but as Owens develops over the season, the 141 spot could change places this year.
And finally, to no one’s great surprise, Matt McDonough posted a 20-3 tech fall over Matt Gurule. As the only returning All-American this year, McDonough will be expected to score in bunches while the rest of the team tries to figure out a lineup. Bonus points will be expected from McDonough this year, and it looks like he’s ready to deliver.
Jake Kerr defeated Aaron Janssen in a battle for 165 by a final of 9-3. Kerr and Janssen went back and forth last year for 157, and I was a little surprised to see both of them move up. Keer got the nod from Brands to represent the Hawks at 157 last year, and with the win is the all-out favorite for 165.
With the absence of both Kerr and Janssen, Derek St. John seems to have stepped up and put the 157 spot in a front headlock. St. John cruised through both of his matches, strong wins by seven and four points.
Other noteworthy matches include the final for heavyweight, where Blake Rasing defeated Jordan Johnson in sudden victory. After a 1-1 tie, Rasing was able to takedown Johnson for two points, the win, and an almost certain spot in the starting lineup on Friday.
Much to be Decided at 2010 Hawkeye Wrestle-Off
By Kif Richmann
Intrasquad competition is usually a dull, go-through-the-motions event in which the teammates go against each other in friendly competition.
This is not the case for the Iowa Hawkeye wrestling team.
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Wrestling legend Dan Gable and Iowa coach Tom Brands (AP photo)
Starting on Thursday, Tom Brands will sick his team against each other in the annual Wrestle-Off, and a lot will be decided by the end of Saturday. Because there are so many unknowns this year, the results will carry more weight than usual. And while the winners of the wrestle off will not automatically be named the starters, Brands will use the results as a gauge for who has the fight, guts and attitude to be a starter on the Iowa wrestling team.
Here’s how the 2010 Wrestle-Off will look:
Thursday’s Match-Ups
133 – Tony Ramos vs. Charlie Joseph
149 – Jeret Chiri vs. Ethan Sebert
Friday’s Match-Ups
133 – Nate Moore vs. Nick Trizzino
133 – Tyler Clark vs. winner of Ramos/Joseph
141 – Mark Ballweg vs. Joe Moore
141 – Josh Dziewa vs. Ethan Owens
149 – Dylan Carew vs. winner of Chiri/Sebert
149 – Jake Ballweg vs. Stew Gillmor
157 – Matt Ballweg vs. Nick Moore
157 – Michael Kelly vs. Derek St. John
165 – Jake Kerr vs. Joe DuCharme
174 – Mike Evans vs. Jeremy Fahler
184 – Tomas Lira vs. Vinnie Wagner
Hwt. – Bobby Telford vs. Jordan Johnson
Saturday’s Match-Ups
125 – Matt McDonough vs. Matt Gurule
133 – Winner of Nate Moore/Trizzino vs. winner of Clark/Ramos/Joseph
141 – Winner of Mark Ballweg/Joe Moore vs. winner of Dziewa/Owens
149 – Winner of Carew/Chiri/Sebert vs. winner of Jake Ballweg/Stew Gillmor
157 – Winner of Matt Ballweg/Nick Moore vs. winner of Kelly/St. John
165 – Aaron Janssen vs. winner of Kerr/DuCharme
174 – Ethen Lofthouse vs. winner of Evans/Fahler
184 – Grant Gambrall vs. winner of Lira/Wagner
Hwt. – Blake Rasing vs. winner of Telford/Johnson
Last year the Wrestle-Off did not carry as much weight, as the team had a majority of proven wrestlers returning to the lineup. This year, 9 out of 10 spots are up for grabs.
The only proven wrestler in Matt McDonough at 125 and because of the damage that McDonough did all of last year, it’s a safe bet that he’ll be the starter even if he gets upset by Matt Gurule on Saturday.
At every other weight class will be up for the taking.
Particularly interesting will be the heavyweight competition. Brands has identified Blake Rasing as the front runner, which is why he gets the bye on Friday and will wrestle the winner of Telford v. Johnson on Saturday. Johnson and Rasing saw the starting lineup last year filling in for the injured Dan Erekson and both have a serious chance of grasping the starting spot. Throw Bobby Telford in the mix, and the heavyweight Wrestle-Off becomes a sloberknocker three way competition.
At 157, we have a four man mini-tournament. Last year Kerr and Janssen traded turns at 157, this year both are scheduled to wrestle in the Wrestle-Offs at 165. This frees up the spot for Derek St. John, who went 11-1 in unattached competition last year. If St. John wins this weekend, you can count on him starting this year. (On a previous post I had Kerr starting at 157 and Janssen at 165, now I may have to change that.)
The only weight class with no Wrestle-Off matches is 197, where Luke Lofthouse is favored to start. He saw the starting lineup last year due to injury, and 197 in now his spot to lose. And because the Hawkeyes only have one other wrestler, Brodie Ambrose, listed at 197, Brands probably elected to not risk an injury to either man.
At 133 you have five guys competing for one spot. Nate Moore is listed in the top 10 in various rankings is the favorite to start, but his 133 standing could be in jeopardy if he comes out poorly this weekend.
A lot of questions will be answered this weekend, but we still won’t have all the answers until the Hawkeyes take the mat against Iowa Central on November 19th.
Questions Swirling around the Iowa Wrestling team
By Kif Richmann
As we turn the table towards winter, the Iowa Hawkeye Wrestling program gets ready to warm our hearts with intense takedowns and hardnosed pins. This season is going to be one of the most interesting for Iowa wrestling fans, as the team is no longer the overall favorite to win a national title, but has the talent and drive to win their fourth consecutive championship.
How we remember the 2010-11 Iowa wrestling team will depend on how quickly fresh faces and new names pick the mantel that last year’s team left behind.
“We like what we have, we like what we see.” head coach Tom Brands said of his team.
Matt McDonough celebrates an NCAA title in March 2010 (photo via blackheartgoldpants.com)
According to most rankings, the Hawkeye’s aren’t even a top 5 team. But let me explain that wrestling has more polls than Tom Brands has top recruits. Well…maybe not that many.
Current Iowa Hawkeye Team Rankings:
Intermat -8
NWCA/USA Today – 7
AWN – 8
TOM – 5
W.I.N. – 11
PROBABLE LINEUP:
125- Matt McDonough, SO (Last year: McDonough) – Most dual meets start with the 125 match, giving the Hawkeyes the chance to send out their only returning NCAA champion.
133- Nate Moore, SO (LY: Daniel Dennis) – Ranked #9 by Intermat, Iowa City West’s Nate Moore saw the starting lineup when Dennis was injured, going 9-6 in collegiate competition.
141- Mark Ballweg, SO (LY: Montell Marion) – One of three Ballweg brothers on the team, Waverly-Shell Rock product Mark Ballweg went 11-5 overall but only 0-2 in collegiate competition.
149- Dylan Carew, RSFR (LY: Brent Metcalf) Unranked Carew went 11-1 and won two tournaments wrestling unattached last year. Another IC West High product, he pinned four opponents last year.
157- Jake Kerr, SR (LY: Kerr/Aaron Janssen) Kerr went 13-11 and placed fourth in the Big Ten championships last year. RSFR Derek St. John, ranker #12 by Intermat, could replace Kerr by the end of the season.
165- Aaron Janssen, SR (LY: Ryan Morningstar) Janssen went 12-4 overall and 4-0 in Big Ten duals wrestling on and off last year as Brands tried to figure out the 157 spot.
174- Ethan Lofthouse, RSFR (LY: Jay Borschel ) Wrestling unattached, Ethan Lofthouse went 30-7, including 9 pins in 2009-10.
184- Grant Gambrall, SO (LY: Phil Keddy) The third IC West wrestler on my lineup, Gambrall was 15-5 in collegiate competition and 22-6 overall last year.
197- Luke Lofthouse, SR (LY: Chad Beaty) Ranked #13 by Intermat, Luke, the uncle of Ethan Lofthouse, went 19-13 wrestling for Iowa and 4-1 in Carver-Hawkeye Arena in 2009-10.
HWT- Blake Rasing, JR (LY: Dan Erekson) Filling in for injured Erekson, the New Hampton native only won one dual match out of five. Rasing lost roughly 15lbs in the off season and will use athleticism and agility over brute strength this year.
This is a sharp difference from last year, when the Hawkeyes returned a stable of All-Americans like Brent Metcalf, Jay Borschel, Daniel Dennis and Ryan Morningstar, et al.
Now, the only returning All American is 2010 national champion Matt McDonough. McDonough is also the only wrestler to be a preseason individual #1.
By the end of the 2010 season, the Hawkeyes had a virtual head lock in the first four weights, now they have graduated Metcalf (149), and Daniel Dennis (133); and lost Montell Marion (141) to a bad case of being an idiot.
The shelf seems bare at the upper weights too, as the Hawkeyes lost national champion Borschel, All American Ryan Morningstar, and heavyweight Dan Erekson, who finished 7th at nationals and won a Big Ten title last year.
Basically, the class of wrestlers that brought home the last three national titles is gone. But the shelf is not, in fact, bare.
Guy like Nate Moore, Luke Lofthouse and Derek St. John and Jake Kerr will have to start forging a legacy of their own. Moore, Lofthouse and Keer we saw in limited action last year, St. John was redshirted.
If they don’t pick up the Hawkeye wrestling mantle, you can bet your ass Tom Brands will find someone who will. For example, Kerr will have to be on point, or St. John will step into 157 before Midlands.
But the guy I almost feel sorry for is a freshman wrestler Dylan Carew. (Who most likely wants neither my pity nor yours.) He is slotted to fill in at 149 after the loss of Brett Metcalf, arguably the most dominant wrestler over the last three years.
Everytime Carew takes the mat at 149, fans will inevitably compare him to Metcalf, fair or otherwise. It is just a fact that over the last three seasons the Hawkeyes have been able to pencil in a victory (and usually domination) at 149 before the match even started. The most shocking events over the last three seasons were the rare times when Metcalf actually lost. It happened thrice.
Now…we shall see. Hold on to your singlet, 2010-11 could be a wild ride.
