Iowa needs results to match potential at NCAA Wrestling Championships

NEW YORK — The question is not can Iowa win a national title, but whether it will do it.

The Hawkeyes have had capable lineups, even during Penn State's run of four straight championships and Ohio State's winning team last season, but just haven't put it together in the biggest event of the season.

'The last couple years we've had really tough teams,' 197-pound senior Nathan Burak said. 'It is just that not everyone has wrestled to their fullest potential.'

Iowa qualified nine wrestlers for the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships Thursday at Madison Square Garden. The Hawkeyes were runners-up a year ago and are looking for their first title since 2010.

'Each individual guy is going to have to do their part,' Burak said. 'If each individual guy does their part, I think we can win a national championship.'

Iowa has three projected finalists in second seeded Cory Clark (133), Brandon Sorensen (149) and 184-pounder Sammy Brooks. Thomas Gilman (125) and Burak are No. 4 seeds. Heavyweight Sam Stoll, one of two Iowa at-large qualifiers, is the 11th seed and Edwin Cooper (157) and Alex Meyer (174) are No. 13 seeds.

Win the individual battles and win the war. Iowa will need to wrestle to and beyond its seeds to come out on top of the likes of Penn State, which won the Big Ten title by 23 ½ points, Ohio State, Oklahoma State, North Carolina State and even Virginia Tech, which is ranked third by Intermat.

'We have some really good guys and I think if we wrestle up to our potential we've got a good shot at doing what we want to do,' Brooks said. 'It's just staying focused and wrestling hard.'

Being able to perform at their best depends on the person. Wrestlers and coaches have to find a balance. Some get wound too tight and they struggle. Some are too loose and they aren't sharp.

'These guys are seasoned veterans,' Iowa Coach Tom Brands said. 'It's about falling into that sweet spot, whatever it is and wrestle your match.'

The Nittany Lions are looking for their fifth NCAA title in six seasons. They also have nine qualifiers, including top-seeded Zain Retherford (29-0) at 149, Bo Nickal (174) and 197-pounder Morgan McIntosh. Two more are seeded third.

Penn State Coach Cael Sanderson was asked about trying to catch Oklahoma State John Smith in titles. He said he isn't worried about that and that helping his wrestlers accomplish their goals will enhance the team's title chances.

'Obviously we all want to win and everyone up here has a chance to win,' Sanderson said of the panel that included himself, Smith, Brands, North Carolina State Coach Pat Popolizio and Ohio State's Tom Ryan. 'But I don't think it's anything personal or I'm trying to catch this guy or that guy. If you're doing that, you're probably really not going to make it real far in the sport.'

North Carolina State and Ohio State have eight qualifiers apiece, while Oklahoma State has six. The Wolfpack have ascended the ranks in Popolizio's fourth season as their head coach.

He was a three-time NCAA qualifier for Cowboys' Coach John Smith.

'Absolutely, I watch him,' Smith said. 'We've had a couple conversations this year. It's like a proud father, watching him have success.

'Now, coming into Stillwater and beating us, he can't be doing that. If anyone was going to do it, I'd rather it be Pat because I know the work he's put in. Sustaining what he's created will be the real trick and I think you have the right guy in place to sustain it.'

NC State even earned dual victories over Iowa and Oklahoma State on the road. It has improved in the national tournament every season and will look for its first top-10 finish. This performance will be the ultimate barometer for success.

'You've got individuals that have goals and you want to be a part of that and want to be able to see them accomplish that,' Popolizio said. 'So it has, it's been a special season. But this weekend definitely could define a lot of that.'

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