Iowa takes early control at Midlands

EVANSTON, Ill. — The University of Iowa is well represented in the quarterfinals of the 53rd Midlands Championships.

The second-ranked Hawkeyes advanced nine into the quarterfinal round Tuesday at Northwestern's Welsh-Ryan Arena. Iowa had 44 1/2 points after the first session, taking an 11 1/2-point lead into Tuesday night's second session.

Top seeds Thomas Gilman (125) and Nathan Burak at 197 earned major decisions, while top-seeded 133-pounder Cory Clark posted a technical fall. All tallied at least 16 points. Clark also had a pin to open the tournament.

Top-seeded Brandon Sorensen (149) and Alex Meyer (174) won by decision. Sorensen broke open his second-round bout with a nearfall in the final period and Meyer had to ride out American's Jason Grimes for the win. Heavyweight Sam Stoll and Sam Brooks (184) added decisions to advance as well.

'We had to do some things that were a little unconventional, like ride to win and getting riding time to win,' Brands said. 'We want to score more points. We don't want them to be that close, but sometimes you have to do what you have to do to win.'

Edwin Cooper (157) and Patrick Rhoads at 165 moved on to the quarterfinals. Cooper had a major and two decisions. Rhoads beat 12th-seeded Joe Brewster, of South Dakota State, and then scored a reversal with five seconds remaining to beat Buffalo's Tyler Rill, 6-5.

'The way Cooper controlled things was good,' Brands said. 'Rhoads, I told (Iowa assistant) Ben Berhow this match will not be won with first-period takedowns and something is going to happen.

'You get an early takedown in the first period that is a long row to hoe. Go get another. That is the biggest thing is to build your lead and do the things you do so it doesn't have to be so close.'

Iowa freshman Michael Kemerer, who is wrestling unattached at 149, reached the quarterfinals. He was impressive, earning an 18-3 technical fall over 11th-seeded Clayton Ream, of North Dakota State. He also had a major decision before handling Arizona State's sixth-seeded Matthew Kraus, 8-3.

Northern Iowa was as high as third during the first session and the Panthers finished fifth with five quarterfinalists. Freshmen Josh Alber (133), Bryce Steiert (157) and 174-pound duo Jacob Holschlag and Taylor Lujuan advanced, joining third-seeded heavyweight Blaize Cabell, who scored an 11-4 win over Princeton's 14th-seeded Ray O'Donnell. Cabell faces Oklahoma's Ross Larson, a former Iowa high school state champion, in the next round.

Iowa State has four alive in the winners bracket. Gabe Moreno (149) scored a fall and Tanner Weatherman (165) added a major decision to earn quarterfinal berths. Second-seeded Earl Hall (133) and 174-pounder Lelund Weatherspoon advanced with decisions.

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