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No.7 Gophers Fall to No.4 Iowa 24-10
1/13/2019 1:53:00 PM | Wrestling
The University of Minnesota wrestling team fell in their top-ten tilt against No.4 Iowa 24-10. The No.7 Gophers won three bouts, but it wasn't enough to lengthen their seven-dual winning streak.
The loss marked the Gophers first dual loss they fell to No. 2 Oklahoma State on Nov. 18, 2018, a span of 56 days.
The Gophers packed Maturi Pavilion with 5,238 people for the first sell out since February 9, 2014.
"It was an incredible crowd, we always appreciate our supporters and this was no different," head coach Brandon Eggum said. "If a few of those close ones go a different way it's a whole different match."
No.11 Devin Skatzka got the Gophers first team points on the board in exciting fashion with a takedown and two-point nearfall within the first15 seconds. Skatzka extended his lead in the second period with a reversal and Iowa penalty point for locked hands before ultimately finishing with an 11-9 victory, including riding time.
As the first bout out of intermission, heavyweight Gable Steveson, the second ranked wrestler in the nation, got his takedowns with relative ease. His constant activity drew several stall calls on his opponent before the end of the first period. Steveson finished with the Gophers lone bonus point victory, a 12-3 major decision, for his fifth consecutive bonus point victory.
"I felt like I wrestled well, but I still think I could've done more to finish it off," Steveson said.
No.6 Mitch McKee continued his strong return after injury with his fourth straight victory. After getting a first period takedown to set the tone McKee added to his lead in both periods before ultimately securing the 5-3 decision.
157-pound Steve Bleise battled hard in his bout against No.5 Kaleb Young to start the dual. Bleise took a 1-1 score late into the third period and the bout was up in the air. Bleise nearly got the takedown himself but got put to his back for a four-point nearfall that determined the winner with only a few seconds remaining.
165-pound Carson Brolsma fought No.2 Alex Marinelli hard but his rally was cut short after being put to his back for the pin with just over a minute remaining in the third period.
184-pound Brandon Krone took on No.14 Cash Wilcke in a tight contest but Wilcke's defense stopped Krone from scoring effectively. By the end of the match it was Krone's defense that kept his bout from becoming a major decision, crucial in a close dual.
197-pound Dylan Anderson made his return to the lineup for the first time since Nov.25, 2018. He fought hard to keep the bout close, and had a reversal in the third period to excite the crowd, but fell by decision.
125-pound Sean Russell was stuck in a battle with No.2 Spencer Lee, the 2018 National Champion, but couldn't't finish on his shots when he got in deep. Lee eeked out the 4-0 victory with a takedown, escape, and riding time advantage. Russell had previously won eight straight.
133-pound Ethan Lizak wrestled for the Gophers after missing the previous weeks dual against Rutgers His usual offense on top was limited by No.10 Austin DeSanto and Lizak dropped his bout for the first time since falling in the Cliff Keen Las Vegas third-place match.
The Hawkeyes were deducted a team point during the 133-pound bout for unsportsmanlike conduct by DeSanto for taunting.
No.20 Tommy Thorn dropped his bout to No.12 Pat Lugo by 14-0 decision.
The Gophers hit the road next weeekend to take on both No.18 Illinois and Northwestern.
Final Match-By-Match Results:
Iowa dual (24-10)
125: No.2 Spencer Lee dec. No.6 Sean Russell (4-0)
133: No.10 Austin DeSanto dec. No.7 Ethan Lizak (6-1)
141: No. 6 Mitch McKee dec. No.15 Max Murin (5-3)
149: No. 12 Pat Lugo major dec. Tommy Thorn (14-0)
157: No.5 Kaleb Young dec. No. 9 Steve Bleise (7-1)
165: No.2 Alex Marinelli fall (5:55) Carson Brolsma
174: No.11 Devin Skatzka dec. Mitch Bowman (11-9)
184: No.14 Cash Wilcke dec. Brandon Krone (9-2)
197: No.6 Jacob Warner dec. Dylan Anderson (9-4)
HWT: No. 2 Gable Steveson major dec. Connor Corbin (12-3)