Iowa serves as attraction for Big Ten newcomers

IOWA CITY - The University of Iowa makes its second East Coast swing to face a conference newcomer.

The top-ranked Hawkeyes are among the Big Ten powerhouses, providing marquee duals for Rutgers University and University of Maryland in their first year in college wrestling's premiere league.

Iowa (11-0, 6-0 Big Ten) heads to College Park, Md., facing Maryland (5-12, 0-6) Friday.

During a weekly meeting with media Tuesday at the Dan Gable Wrestling Complex in Carver Hawkeye Arena, Hawkeyes Coach Tom Brands said he was not sure if the conference deliberately sent the top four teams - Iowa, Minnesota, Penn State and Ohio State - to help promote the added programs.

'It's good and healthy for their program, so if the Big Ten did schedule that way they're smart,” Brands said. 'You're helping programs like that.

'They need a boost. I'm sure they are willing to take high-powered visitors.”

Iowa's 27-9 dual win at Rutgers on Jan. 2 set an attendance record for the Scarlet Knights. The mark was broken two weeks later when Penn State came to town. Successful programs can help generate interest for the sport in other areas.

'I think dual meets are a great vehicle to promoting programs, even our program,” Brands said. 'We averaged 8,800 fans last year and that was down from the previous years. I think we were over 9,000 two or three years in a row. It's a tribute to our fans.”

Brands understands the impact big-name teams have on emerging or struggling programs. Iowa has been an attraction for smaller programs in the past. In these duals, coaches build enthusiasm to 'put on a show” for their fans. Any relevant success against an establish power can strengthen the team and sport, in general.

'I think it's the responsibility of big programs to go to places that need wrestling,” Brands said. 'There are places out west that need it.

'First of all, you're showcasing your program, but also you're getting people excited about the sport.”

ROAD WARRIORS

The Iowa Hawkeyes aren't strangers to life on the road and don't mind it anyway.

Iowa Coach Tom Brands has said his team will go anywhere the schedule sends them to take care of their business. The Hawkeyes will wrestle at Penn State on Sunday, making it the fourth top-10 opponent they have wrestled on the road.

'I don't think it's any different,” Iowa 125-pounder Thomas Gilman said. 'We've got a task in front of us and we have to accomplish that task. I don't think we get up for an away meet any more than a Carver meet.”

Iowa is not intimidated by hostile crowds. They embraced the boos of Minnesota fans last week when the Hawkeyes won, 23-12, a battle of No. 1 vs. No. 2 in front of 13,603 at Williams Arena in Minneapolis, Minn.

Heavyweight Bobby Telford recalled hearing harsh language and gestures from the crowd the last time Iowa visited State College, Pa. He said part of the fun is going into an opponent's arena, wreaking havoc and walking away victorious.

'You don't have any responsibilities when you show up to someone else's party,” Telford said. 'You just go in there, you have fun, trash the place, do what you want, say what you want and get out.”

TAKEDOWN CANCER

The second annual Takedown Cancer Clinic will be held before Friday's dual between 18th-ranked Cornell and No. 17 Coe at Eby Fieldhouse in Cedar Rapids.

The clinic for pre-Kindergarten through sixth-graders will begin at 5:15 p.m. and costs $15.

Participants in the clinic will receive a free shirt and admission to the following dual. Proceeds will be donated to the Hall-Perrine Cancer Center, Hope Fund and family Resource Center.

The clinic, which was started last year by now retired administrator Bill Bails, will feature a talk by legendary wrestler and coach Dan Gable. Instructors may include former Hawkeyes Tony Ramos, Matt McDonough, Phil Keddy, Brent Metcalf, and Pablo Ubasa and James Kelly.

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