Ben Kueter makes Iowa wrestling debut in Hawkeyes’ win over Minnesota

IOWA CITY — Ben Kueter’s image on the jumbotron showed him shake his head slightly as his hand was raised.

Not the reaction you might think from a hometown kid that turned vision into reality when he took the University of Iowa mat in the center of Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

“It was good to get it out of the way and exciting,” said Kueter, who was a four-time undefeated state champion for Iowa City High, a U20 World champion and a member of the Hawkeyes’ football program. “I’m disappointed in myself for how I competed and wrestled. I did stick the match out, so that’s good.

“I wanted to put on a better show for the fans.”

The Hawkeye fans were a little more energized with his debut and performance. Kueter beat No. 29 Bennett Tabor, 5-3, in the final match of No. 3 Iowa’s 22-9 victory over No. 10 Minnesota in a Big Ten dual action Monday night.

“I think there are a lot of people out in those seats happy to see Kueter go out and get the win,” Iowa Coach Tom Brands said. “I think that everybody was happy about it except Kueter.

“He didn’t like how he performed. We’re moving forward. I like that never satisfied (mindset).”

Fans stood waiting for the Hawkeyes’ heavyweight to be announced. They erupted when Kueter emerged from the smoke at the end of the tunnel.

Kueter said he’s been practicing consistently for the last two weeks after the conclusion of the football season. The toughest part might have been waiting all day for this opportunity. Of course, he’s been waiting for this a very long time.

“I’ve been dreaming of this as a kid from a young age,” Kueter said. “Now, that I actually get to do it it’s pretty surreal but I wanted to make sure I was focused on wrestling and not all the distractions. It was still pretty cool.”

Drake Ayala and Real Woods previously made highly-anticipated debuts in Carver-Hawkeye. They received a pop from the crowd and know what that reception is like — Woods last season and Ayala two years ago.

“I love the guy, first of all,” Woods said. “Seeing that love from the fans was awesome. It was well deserved.”

Ayala added, “When they gave him that standing (ovation), like right before he walked out, I got goosebumps. It was sick. It was cool.”

Kueter ignited the crowd with his first-period takedown and a reversal in the third of his 5-3 decision.

“Obviously, there are a lot of things I need to fix in that match,” Kueter said. “That’s good. I’ve got more stuff to work on. I know what I need to do. My coaches know what I need to do, so I know I’m in the right place to do that. I’m looking forward to it.”

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Iowa (7-0, 2-0 Big Ten) won seven matches. Ayala opened the dual with an 8-5 victory over Patrick McKee at 125 pounds. He stormed back after giving up the first takedown and answered with takedowns in the second and third.

McKee defeated Ayala the first four times they met in college, but Ayala has won the two most recent in the last month.

“That’s a quality opponent there,” Brands said. “We don’t go to sleep on him and Drake Ayala doesn’t go to sleep. Drake Ayala put himself back in that match after giving up the first takedown. ... Didn’t let the clock tick down and then there’s a mad-flurry panic crisis scramble at the end. He put himself right back in the match.”

Short-time scoring — points at the end of the period that are hard to answer — was crucial. Ayala’s escape at the end of the first and takedown for the lead to end the second proved to be the difference.

“Amen,” Brands said. “That’s good wrestling. Doing a good job.”

NCAA finalist Real Woods remained unbeaten, improving to 11-0. He topped No. 19 Vance VomBaur, 5-2, using a takedown and a point for riding time.

Woods (11-0) has been atop the 141 national rankings all season. The recognition comes with a price. He usually faces an opponent’s best effort, but he isn’t surprised by upset-minded foes.

“When you’re the target, people are prepared,” Woods said. “People are going to strategize against you. People are going to be more stingy. Wrestlers are going to come in and be ready to go. They want to hit that target. It’s been as expected.”

The Hawkeyes managed 12 total takedowns. Patrick Kennedy had a quarter of the production at 174. Kennedy tallied three takedowns and added two nearfall, handling Sam Skillings, 13-2, for the dual’s lone bonus-point victory.

“He woke up,” Brands said. “The guy got in on us twice and lifted us really easy. We took two stalemates there.

“When he started throwing his legs back, that’s when things started speeding up. We cannot let guys get their hands locked.”

Caleb Rathjen (149), Michael Caliendo at 165 and 197-pounder Zach Glazier added decisions for the Hawkeyes.

Iowa hosts Purdue on Friday at 7 p.m.

Iowa 22, Minnesota 9

AT IOWA CITY

(Individual takedowns in parentheses)

125 pounds — Drake Ayala (I) dec. Patrick McKee, 8-5 (2,1)

133 — Tyler Wells (M) dec. Kale Petersen, 6-4 (2,0)

141 — Real Woods (I) dec. Vance VomBaur, 5-2 (1,0)

149 — Caleb Rathjen (I) dec. Drew Roberts, 7-3 (2,0)

157 — Michael Blockhus (M) dec. Jarfed Franek, 5-4 (1,1)

165 — Michael Caliendo (I) dec. Blaine Brenner, 5-1 (1,0)

174 — Patrick Kennedy (I) major dec. Sam Skillings, 13-2 (3,0)

184 — Isaiah Salazar (M) dec. Aiden Riggins, 7-0 (2,0)

197 — Zach Glazier (I) dec. Garrett Joles, 4-2 (1,0)

Hwt. — Ben Kueter (I) dec. Bennet Tabor, 5-3 (1,0)

MEET STATISTICS

Takedowns — Iowa 12, Minnesota 6

Reversals — Iowa 1, Minnesota 0

Escapes — Iowa 11, Minnesota 18

Nearfall points — Iowa 2, Minnesota 0

Penalty points (awarded) — Iowa 2, Minnesota 0

Riding-time points — Iowa 2, Minnesota 0

Total match points — Iowa 55, Minnesota 36.

Comments: kj.pilcher@thegazette.com