University of Minnesota Athletics
Hawkeyes Top Gophers, 28-9
2/15/2010 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
Minneapolis - An early upset and bonus points expanded the margin as top-ranked and undefeated Iowa won 28-9 over the Minnesota wrestling team this evening (Feb. 14) in Williams Arena.
Minnesota (11-5, 6-1) came in to the match as winners of six straight, having not lost since the National Duals on Jan. 10. Iowa (21-0, 6-0), meanwhile, entered the match riding a win streak that dated back to January 2008 and stands at 58 after the win over the Minnesota. The Hawkeyes have now won five straight duals meets against the Gophers.
In the much-anticipated meeting, the fans were treated to three straight top-ten match-ups to open the meet. In the stretch of 125, 133 and 141 the Gophers boasted a No. 1 and two No. 6 ranked wrestlers, while the Hawkeyes countered with a No. 3, 4 and 7.
The dual started a banged-up Zach Sanders (Wabasha, Minn.) taking on Matt McDonough at 125. The fourth-ranked McDonough scored the first takedown over the sixth-ranked Sanders and led 4-1 after the first period. Sanders had not wrestled since Jan. 31 against Purdue, while recovering from an injury suffered in the match. McDonough outscored Sanders 6-0 in the second period on his way to a 13-2 major decision, giving Iowa the early 4-0 lead.
In maybe the premiere match-up of the night, No. 1 Jayson Ness (Bloomington, Minn.) squared off against No. 3 Daniel Dennis next at 133. Undefeated Ness entered the match as a winner in his last 23 contests, and after his 8-4 win, extends the second longest streak of his career to 24. Ness has 16 falls on the season, including two on his last two matches, and almost had another today. He scored a first period near fall, but could not hold a fighting Dennis on his back. With the decision, Ness brought the Gophers within one at 3-4, but unfortunately, that was as close as it would get.
The only upset of the day was a minor one, but it set the Hawkeyes on the course to victory. No. 7 Montell Marion earned a 15-7 win over No. 6 Mike Thorn at 141, allowing Iowa to just hold serve for the win. The rest of the way, the Hawkeyes won the matches they were supposed to win, adding a few bonus points along the way for the eventual lop-sided score.
A close match between Thorn and Marion was broken open in the third period with a takedown and nearfall by Marion, leading to the major decision.
At 149, No. 1 Brent Metcalf of the Hawkeyes scored a big 24-8 tech fall over the Gophers Mario Mason (Moorestown, N.J.) who entered the match ranked No. 16. A match late the Gophers were back in the win column with second ranked Dustin Schlatter (Massillion, Ohio) winning 4-1 over Jake Kerr to bring the Gophers within seven at 13-6 at the intermission.
Coming out of the break, however, Iowa won the first three matches to put it away and seal the victory, holding a 25-6 lead with just two matches to go. The Hawkeyes win by major decision at 165, 174 and 184, which included No. 2 Jay Borschel winning 14-2 over No. 8 Scott Glasser (Bismarck, N.D.) at 174. Glasser has lost only twice in his last 20 matches, with both losses coming at the hands of Borschel.
Borchel scored two first period near falls and led 6-0 after one. Leading 8-0 heading into the third period, Borschel did not allow a point until Glasser notched a reversal in the third.
The last Gopher to win was Sonny Yohn (Alamosa, Colo.) at 197. Yohn had faced five straight ranked opponents entering the match, the longest such streak on the team. Facing unranked Luke Lofthouse of Iowa, Yohn scored his first points with a near fall in the second period. Strong all match, Yohn pitched the shutout over Lofthouse, winning 7-0.
With the team outcome decided, Ben Berhow (Hayward, Minn.) still created some excitement in the final match of the night. Facing No. 10 ranked Dan Erekson fought back to tie the match 3-3 just as time expired. The tying point can from a penalty for stalling on the part of Erekson. In overtime, Erekson got the quick takedown to end the potential if an upset.
With just one match to go, Minnesota will close the regular season at home in the Sports Pavilion, hosting No. 11 Penn State this Friday, Feb. 19. That match is set for a 7:00 p.m. start.
125: #4 Matt McDonough (IOWA) maj. #6 Zach Sanders (MINN), 13-2 / 0-4
133: #1 Jayson Ness (MINN) dec. #3 Daniel Dennis (IOWA), 8-4 / 3-4
141: #7 Montell Marion (IOWA) maj. #6 Mike Thorn (MINN), 15-7 / 3-8
149: #1 Brent Metcalf (IOWA) tech. #16 Mario Mason (MINN), 24-8;6:19 / 3-13
157: #2 Dustin Schlatter (MINN) dec. Jake Kerr (IOWA), 4-1 / 6-13
165: #4 Ryan Morningstar (IOWA) maj. Cody Yohn (MINN), 9-0 / 6-17
174: #2 Jay Borschel (IOWA) maj. #8 Scott Glasser (MINN), 14-2 / 6-21
184: #12 Phil Keddy (IOWA) maj. Kaleb Young (MINN), 9-4 / 6-25
197: #12 Sonny Yohn (MINN) dec. Luke Lofthouse (IOWA), 7-0 / 9-25
HWT: #10 Dan Erekson (IOWA) dec. Ben Berhow (MINN), 5-3;SV / 9-28
Players Mentioned
