Grothus return highlights Iowa win

IOWA CITY — As Eminem's recording of 'Without Me' echoed 'Guess who's back' throughout Carver-Hawkeye Arena, senior Brody Grothus emerged from the tunnel.

Grothus has creative choices in entrance music and this one fit perfectly. The University of Iowa's 2014 NCAA qualifier competed in his first home dual since Dec. 6, 2014.

'It's been a long time since I've wrestled in front of these fans,' said Grothus, recalling a conversation with teammate Sammy Brooks before the dual. 'These fans are something special because they give you a little boost.'

Grothus gave them something to cheer about, blanking Danny Sababtello, 6-0, at 141 pounds and helping second-ranked Iowa throttle No. 20 Purdue, 39-4, Friday night in a Big Ten Conference dual. The Hawkeyes won nine bouts, improving their mark to 12-0 overall and 6-0 in the conference.

Grothus wrestled in just his second event since the 2014 Midlands Championships, enduring injury and surgery that sidelined him the last 13 months. He opened with a first-period takedown, earning a penalty point and escape in the second. He added a third-period takedown after it appeared he slowed down a bit. He received a rush from the Hawkeyes' crowd.

'I was in on that third-period shot there late,' Grothus said. 'I have to give some of the credit to the fans. I heard them and it pushed me to get that last takedown.'

Grothus has advanced since his debut at the Flash Flanagan Open in Dubuque two weekends ago. He went 1-2, losing one match by fall. Grothus said he almost felt like he forgot how to wrestle and wondered if it was worth a return. His resolve kicked in and he kept working. The victory provides more positives to build on as he contends with Topher Carton for the starting job.

'It's an improvement,' Grothus said. 'It's a step in the right direction. It's a long way from where I was two weeks ago.'

He has a long road left to travel. Grothus is focused on capping his career with a national title.

'I'm not using one match to say I'm ready to be an NCAA champion,' Grothus said. 'I still have work to do.'

Edwin Cooper added a spark to the CHA crowd. He scored a fall from the neutral position against Doug Welch at 157, giving the Hawkeyes a 21-0 edge at the break. Cooper was in on a shot and rolled back to get the fall.

Thomas Gilman (125) continued his dominant season. He improved to 16-0 with a whopping 10 takedowns in a 23-8 technical fall over Ben Thornton. Gilman scored at will, notching his fifth technical fall of the season and his 14th bonus-point victory.

All-American Nathan Burak also posted a technical, handling Drake Stein, 22-7, at 197. He racked up nine takedowns, as Iowa finished with 37 total.

Cory Clark, an NCAA finalist last season, was almost as impressive, tallying three takedowns and four nearfall for a 12-0 major at 133.

Sammy Brooks joined the bonus-point party with a 14-4 major at 184 and heavyweight Sam Stoll ended the dual with a second-period fall, which was his seventh this season.

AT IOWA CITY

Iowa 39, Purdue 4

(Individual takedowns in parentheses)

125 pounds — Thomas Gilman (I) tech. fall Ben Thornton, 23-8 (10,0); 133 — Cory Clark (I) major dec. Luke Welch, 12-0 (3,0); 141 — Brody Grothus (I) dec. Danny Sabatello, 6-0 (2,0); 149 — Brandon Sorensen (I) dec. Alex Griffin, 8-2 (3,0); 157 — Edwin Cooper (I) pinned Doug Welch, 2:37 (0,0); 165 — Chad Welch (P) major dec. Burke Paddock, 15-4 (2,1); 174 — Alex Meyer (I) dec. Jacob Morrissey, 8-4 (2,2); 184 — Sammy Brooks (I) major dec. Tanner Lynde, 14-4 (6,0); 197 — Nathan Burak (I) tech. fall Drake Stein, 22-7 (9,0); Hwt — Sam Stoll (I) pinned Tyler Kral, 4:04 (1,0)

MEET STATISTICS

Takedowns — Purdue 4, Iowa 37. Reversals — Purdue 1, Iowa 1. Escapes — Purdue 21, Iowa 10. Nearfall points — Purdue 8, Iowa 6. Penalty points (awarded) — Purdue 1, Iowa 3. Riding time points — Purdue 1, Iowa 4. Total match points — Purdue 41, Iowa 99. Attendance — 8,536.

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