Telford battles back to finish third

MADISON, Wis. – University of Iowa heavyweight Bobby Telford finished the national qualifier strong.

The Hawkeye junior was unsatisfied from the impressive rebound from an opening loss.

Telford won four straight matches in a loaded bracket to place third Sunday at the Big Ten Wrestling Championships at the University of Wisconsin's Kohl Center, and earned his third straight automatic berth to the NCAA Championships.

Telford placed third for the second straight year after a runner-up performance as a freshman.

“Yes, it's disappointing,” Telford said. “I didn't come here to get third again.

“What's fun about that? Nothing.”

Even though the standards are higher than bronze, Telford made a strong run through the backside, following a quarterfinal loss to Minnesota's Tony Nelson, who went on to win his third Big Ten title. He outscored his opponents, 24-3, in consolation matches, including a 3-1 win over national finalist Mike McMullan of Northwestern.

“He had to put together a string of matches against a gauntlet of heavyweights,” Iowa Coach Tom Brands said. “He stayed poised.”

The sting was evident as Telford stood on the arena floor, waiting to be called to the award stand. The 2012 All-American refused for a respectable showing in a weight class that had a conference-high nine automatic national bids.

“I don't know how happy he is,” Brands said. “He won three hard-fought matches in a row, starting (Saturday) and two (Sunday). I like how his demeanor is. There is more work to do.”

Dziewa reaches NCAA tournament

Last year, Josh Dziewa moved up to 149 pounds for the Big Ten Championships, attempting to fill a void in the Iowa lineup. This season, he returned to his natural weight class of 141 with the graduation of national qualifier Mark Ballweg.

Dziewa went 0-2 in this tournament a year ago, losing a pair of one-point decisions. The Iowa junior punched his ticket to the national tournament, placing fifth.

“I didn't feel like I performed my best,” the 14th-ranked Dziewa said. “I am on to the next thing. I'm ready for the national tournament.”

Now the focus turns to preparing for the NCAA tournament the next 10 days.

“Most of the work is done,” Dziewa said. “I'm excited. It's going to be a good time. I have to make some noise.”

The conference performance provided the base to build on, going into the final event.

“I avenged a loss in the fifth-place match but I also lost to a kid I beat earlier in the year,” Dziewa said. “There some positives and negatives, but it's (mostly positive), because I'm moving forward.”

Five Hawkeyes voted to all-time Big Ten team

The 100th Anniversary of the Big Ten Wrestling Championships included a fan vote to select the top conference wrestlers at each weight. The Hawkeyes were well represented on the team that used the 10 current weight classes for categories.

Five Hawkeyes and former head coach Dan Gable were honored on the all-time team.

Current Hawkeye head coach Tom Brands was picked as the top 133-pounder, winning three conference titles. Brands, a four-time conference finalist, won titles in 1989, 1991 and 1992. In 1989, Brands won Big Ten Freshman of the Year, Wrestler of the Year and the championship tournament's Outstanding Wrestler award. He is the only Big Ten wrestler to sweep those awards.

The recognition of the past is nice, but Brands is looking to matching and surpassing the program's previous feats.

“My experience was great at the University of Iowa, as a competitor and student athlete,” Brands said. “It's about the future.”

Former Hawkeye four-time Big Ten champion and former Cedar Rapids Prairie three-time state champion Barry Davis, the current Wisconsin head coach, was chosen at 125 pounds. Davis claimed 118-pound titles in 1981 and 1982. He won crowns at 126 in 1983 and 1985.

“It means a lot,” Davis said. “It's a great honor. Very special.”

Four-time NCAA finalist and three-time NCAA and Big Ten champion Lincoln McIlravy was honored at 149. McIlravy won conference championships in 1994, 1995 and 1997.

The Hawkeyes first four-time conference champion, Joe Scarpello, captured titles from 1947-50, and made the team at 174. Four-time Big Ten champion Ed Banach (1980-83) was selected at 184.

“It says what the greatest program is and the greatest coach is,” Davis said. “It says a lot Dan Gable. A lot of us wrestled for him.”

The only current wrestler on the list was Penn State 165-pounder David Taylor, who became the 12th four-time conference champion Sunday.

Michigan four-time Big Ten champ Kellen Russell (141), Wisconsin's three-time champ Lee Kemp (157) and Minnesota three-time champion duo, Tim Hartung (197) and heavyweight Cole Konrad, round out the team.

“I'm glad they have these things,” Brands said. “It's good for the sport. It brings more conversation, which is good."