Hawkeyes look to make mark at Midlands

Consider it in wrestling lingo. A few University of Iowa wrestlers can score a takedown to control the competition, but this is not sudden victory.

Hawkeyes Coach Tom Brands was specific in saying the Midlands Championships will be a chance for wrestlers contesting for starting spots to separate themselves, but doesn't make them a lock the rest of the year.

The Hawkeyes will attempt to win their fourth straight team title at the 48th Midlands Championships at Northwestern's Welsh-Ryan Arena in Evanston, Ill. Action begins today at 9:30 a.m. The finals are set for 7 p.m. Thursday.

The Hawkeyes will battle some of the nation's best and battle each other for a possible lineup spot. Brands said he will learn a lot at the Midlands, but that can change as the season progresses.

“You can win the Midlands and not perform down the road. This is not about winning the Midlands,” Brands said.

“This is about a steady, rock-solid, smart, tough performer that is going to continue to build and get better with his approach. Part of the approach is how you look out on that mat in those competitions and the Midlands is a part of that.”

Fans will be particularly interested in results at 133 pounds, 149 and 165.

Aaron Janssen and Jake Kerr have been mentioned in the same breath the last two seasons. Kerr won the wrestle-off this year at 165, but Janssen has been impressive in open tournaments and in the dual against the University of Northern Iowa.

Brands had the unenviable position of determining the starter at 157 pounds for the Big Ten tournament last year after the two alternated. Kerr was selected over Janssen, and he qualified for nationals. Brands didn't want that role.

“Last year I had to make the decision and I agonized over it. It's not fun,” Brands said. “You had two even guys and both swore they were the guy. They still swear it.”

Brands wants a wrestler to remove any doubt. He wants the wrestlers' performance to make the decision.

“I just want guys to go out and wrestle and don't worry,” Brands said. “Don't worry about anything except being tough, smart and aggressive in all positions.

“Here's the thing, two guys with unbelievable ability. Go out and put the ability on display.”

Tony Ramos has received the nod at 133 in December, winning matches handily against Iowa State, Michigan State and UNI. Nate Moore, who was ranked and started part of the season last year when NCAA finalist Dan Dennis was injured, placed sixth at the Midlands last year. Tyler Clark, who beat both to win the wrestle-off, returns after being sidelined with a broken hand suffered in the opening tournament.

“The good thing at 133 is we have Ramos, who is doing a good job,” Brands said, “and we have two guys, Clark and Moore, who have kept their bodies in shape and want a crack at it.”

At 149, Jeret Chiri has stepped into the lineup after Dylan Carew's season ended with surgery to repair ligaments in both knees. Senior Matt Ballweg is expected to drop to 149 and compete at the Midlands.

Brands said Chiri is pretty tough and Ballweg is an experienced wrestler and an additional body at that weight.

“It adds depth,” Brands said. “It's the right thing to do.”

All 10 Hawkeyes were listed as top contenders when the tournament committee released pre-seeds last week. NCAA champion Matt McDonough (7-0) and Grant Gambrall (7-0) were listed as the No. 1 pre-seeds at 125 and 184, respectively. Ramos, 157-pounder Derek St. John, who placed fifth at the Midlands as a freshman, and Luke Lofthouse (197) were listed fourth. Mark Ballweg was fifth at 141 and Kerr was seventh.

McDonough said his Midlands Championship, which concluded with a come-from-behind overtime decision over Iowa State's Andrew Long, was a steppingstone for him.

“It's turned into more than just a regional tournament,” McDonough said. “There's guys coming from all over the nation. It's a really good way to see where you're at and continue your goal, of course, to the end of the season.”