Fourth-ranked North Carolina State wrestling takes down No. 2 Iowa

IOWA CITY — The dual didn't have the typical atmosphere and fervor many expect at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

The result wasn't what University of Iowa fans have grown accustomed to either.

Fourth-ranked North Carolina State defeated No. 2 Iowa, 21-17, in the final dual of the National Wrestling Coaches Association National Duals Series Monday night in front of an announced crowd of 6,056 fans. The setback was the lone dual loss of the season for the Hawkeyes (16-1).

The teams split the 10 bouts, but the Wolfpack (23-1) tallied six bonus points in three of their victories, including an injury default at heavyweight.

'The things the fans look forward to and the thing the program looks forward to is a battle,' Iowa Coach Tom Brands said. 'That's probably where this guy is most disappointed, but we had some good things, too.'

The Hawkeyes jumped to an early 7-0 lead, receiving a 15-5 major decision from Thomas Gilman (125) and a 9-3 victory from 133-pounder Cory Clark. Whether it was the fact it was a Monday night or wrestling fans were less than 48 hours removed from the four-day grind of the Iowa high school state tournament or something else, the arena missed the regular charged environment. Gilman said that shouldn't have an impact them and they didn't do enough to provide that spark.

'The energy is a little low from us as the team and there's not a lot of fans here,' Gilman said. 'It doesn't matter if there is 48,000 fans or two fans. It doesn't matter.'

Gilman and Brandon Sorensen (149) were the only Hawkeyes to score bonus points. Gilman racked up six takedowns, including three in the first.

Sorensen scored five takedowns, matching Gilman's first-period output, posting a 13-4 victory and helping Iowa to an 11-9 edge at the halfway point.

'I got the job done,' Gilman said at the mid-dual break. 'I got that major, but it looks like I needed a tech fall or fall.'

Gilman, ranked second, will prepare for his toughest tests of the season. He has not faced Ohio State's defending conference and NCAA champion Nathan Tomasello or Penn State's two-time national runner-up and three-time All-American Nico Megaludis.

The focus switches to the Big Ten Championships, which will be hosted by Iowa on March 5-6.

'Immediately,' Gilman said about turning his attention to the conference tournament. 'We're analyzing this match (Tuesday) and then we're getting ready for the Big Tens, figuring out where I'm at in that bracket. Probably (No.) 2 seed the way things are looking right now and looking to keep tearing things up.'

Iowa didn't score enough points and surrendered some at critical ones as well, including a late takedown that secured Kevin Jack's 18-3 technical fall over Brody Grothus at 141. NC State's Tommy Gantt had two takedowns in the third for a 13-5 major decision over Edwin Cooper at 157 and 10th-ranked Sammy Brooks dropped a 7-3 decision to No. 16 Pete Renda, which was a key turning point in the dual.

'It's a combination and it's probably all the same,' said Brands, who later added that NC State earned the win. 'It's positions where they are essential and basic. That is where we got beat.'

The dual ended when seventh-ranked Sam Stoll defaulted after an apparent knee injury against two-time NCAA champion Nick Gwiazdowski. Stoll injured it while Gwiazdowski finished his second takedown of the match. He attempted to continue, wrestling for a bit. Brands said they are evaluating the situation.

'We're looking at it,' Brands said. 'He did some good things. There is progress but progress and then letting the leg come up and then when you go against the joint there, you can't let guys pick your leg up like that, and that's where you're vulnerable.'

Iowa also received a 4-2 win from Alex Meyer at 174 and 197-pounder Nathan Burak.

NC State traveled to the two most storied programs in college wrestling and returned with victories. The Wolfpack beat Oklahoma State, 19-15, in December.

'These programs all have history,' said NC State Coach Pat Popolizio, who wrestled for Oklahoma State from 1998-2002. 'We aren't there in that aspect, but I think people now understand that we can compete. To do it year-in and year-out like these guys do is a totally different ballgame. We have to do our job for the program to keep building momentum off this, but this is obviously a great start.'

Popolizio said he appreciated the chance to showcase the program.

'I think the biggest thing is being able to have the opportunity to come out here and compete and showed that we belonged,' Popolizio said. 'I think the way things played out (Monday night) that it was a statement for itself.'

Brands said the Hawkeyes have to be ready for a challenge. They will have to rebound and work to improve for the conference meet with NCAA berths on the line.

'We got beat up in more ways than one,' Brands said. 'We have to come back and we have to be strong and build. We have to have our minds right.'

AT IOWA CITY

North Carolina State 21, Iowa 17

(Individual takedowns in parentheses)

125 pounds — Thomas Gilman (I) major dec. Sean Fausz, 15-5 (6,0); 133 — Cory Clark (I) dec. Jamal Morris, 9-3 (3,0); 141 — Kevin Jack (NCSU) tech. fall Brody Grothus, 18-3 (4,0); 149 — Brandon Sorensen (I) major dec. Beau Donahue, 13-4 (5,0); 157 — Tommy Gantt (NCSU) major dec. Edwin Cooper Jr., 13-5 (5,0); 165 — Max Rohskopf (NCSU) dec. Patrick Rhoads, 6-3 (2,1); 174 — Alex Meyer (I) dec. Nicky Hall, 4-2 (0,1); 184 — Pete Renda (NCSU) dec. Sammy Brooks, 7-3 (3,0); 197 — Nathan Burak (I) dec. Michael Boykin, 9-4 (3,0); Hwt. — Nick Gwiazdowski (NCSU) won by injury default over Sam Stoll (3,0).

MEET STATISTICS

Takedowns — NCSU 19, Iowa 18. Reversals — NCSU 1, Iowa 2. Escapes — NCSU 20, Iowa 17. Nearfall points — NCSU 6, Iowa 0. Penalty Points (awarded) — NCSU 3, Iowa 2. Riding time points — NCSU 2, Iowa 5. Attendance — 6,056.

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