NCAA team wrestling crown up for grabs

ST. LOUIS, Mo. — The team race could be one of the more wide-open battles in recent NCAA Division I wrestling tournaments and could still be up for grabs Saturday night.

At least five teams hold legitimate hopes for the team title starting this morning at Scottrade Center.

Iowa, host Missouri, Ohio State, Minnesota and Cornell are in the mix.

The Hawkeyes have 10 qualifiers, including eight seeded.

'I would say if you talk to our guys, they're excited,' Iowa Coach Tom Brands said. 'No doubt. I think the biggest thing is and it's the same every year, but the story will be written as it goes. And if you're an Iowa Hawkeye, obviously we want it written in our favor. It's the same way every year. When you're a competitor, you want all the hardware and that's what we are after but we know we have worthy opponents.'

Iowa and Ohio State fought to the very end in the conference tournament, tying for the team crown. That race was not determined until the final match.

The hosts Tigers are one of the front-runners. They have 10 qualifiers and top-seeded individuals in Alan Waters (125), Drake Houdashelt (149) and defending NCAA champion J'Den Cox (197).

STIEBER SEEKS FOURTH

Ohio State senior Logan Stieber is attempting to cap his career by joining elite company. The top-seeded 141-pounder will try to become the fourth NCAA Division I wrestler to win four national titles.

Stieber won 133-pound titles his first two seasons and captured the 141 title last year. He enters the tournament with a 24-0 mark.

'I'm excited,' Stieber said. 'It has been a long journey. It's going to be fun. We have a good team, and I think we can be in it for a team title. I'm just going to take it one match at a time and enjoy my last weekend.'

Stieber said he doesn't feel any pressure and plans to soak up everything in his last college competition.

large turnout

The tournament returns to St. Louis for the seventh time since 2000 and first since 2012.

More than 18,000 tickets have been sold for the event.

The tournament's total attendance record of 109,450 was set here in 2012.

The NCAA tournament returns here in 2017 after being held at New York City's Madison Square Garden next year.