Iowa Wrestling defeats Coe 44-0

IOWA CITY - Mark Ballweg sights are set a lot further than just being one of the eight newcomers in the University of Iowa's starting lineup.

Cracking the lineup is a step for Ballweg, but he's training to making giant strides to the top in the country.

“It's about winning the national championship,” Ballweg said. “Don't worry about being ‘the man'. You're training in the room to be a national champion. That's what everyone in the room is doing.”

Ballweg's first varsity appearance showed he's heading in the right direction. The Hawkeyes sophomore scored two falls, helping the sweep all 20 matches at the Iowa City Duals on Friday at Carver-Hawkeye Arena, Iowa handled Iowa Central, 45-0, before trouncing Coe, 44-0, to end the evening.

The biggest challenge is performing in competition at the same level that he trains.

“Just putting what we do everyday in the practice room,” Ballweg said, “and transferring it to the mat.”

Those words struck a chord with Iowa Coach Tom Brands, who notched his 100th career dual victory with win over the Tritons.

“That's good,” Brands said. “I'm glad he's saying that.”

Ballweg wasted little time, getting a takedown, throwing Iowa Central's Seth Stender to his back and pinning him in 1:22. In the second match, tallied six takedowns and 11-2 lead, the last won transitioned into a cradle and a 6:10 fall over Coe's Chris LeClere, a Division III qualifier last year.

“Very strong offense, a lot of hustle. Strong in all positions – top, bottom, neutral,” Brands said of Ballweg. “We've seen that in the room. It's not a surprise.”

Ballweg has taken over a spot that was held by NCAA finalist Montell Marion, who was indefinitely suspended in the spring. Critics thought the weight could be a hole in the lineup, but not to Ballweg and his teammates.

“I have the same goals and same expectations,” Ballweg said of contending for a title. “Everyone is expecting the same things from me.”

Doubters add a little fuel to the fire. Ballweg figures they are out there even if he does pay attention.

“I'm sure. There always is,” Ballweg said. “I never let it get to me too much. I do what I do and work hard everyday.”

Brands also noted this is the first time that Ballweg was hindered by injury.

“It's the first time he's healthy,” Brands said. “He struggled with some injuries. He's overcome. He's done a good job of putting them on the back burner, but sometimes when you're nicked up all the time it's hard to get going. He's healthy and strong and feeling good right now.”

A major question entering the season if Ballweg and the rest of the new starters would get tough in competition. Overall, Brands was happy with the performance, but said nitpicking will occur in practice to help the team get better.

“I'm surprised that I feel as good as I feel right now,” Brands said. “I'm not saying there's not things to work on.”

The win over Coe extended the Hawkeyes school-record dual win streak to 63 and its record home dual win streak to 27. Nick Trizzino (133), and Ethen Lofthouse added falls for Iowa. Luke Lofthouse at 197 won by technical fall.

Brands talks about whether or not he expected to sweep Coe and Iowa Central.

In a battle of national champions, Iowa's defending NCAA Division I 125-pound champ Matt McDonough scored five points in the final 25 seconds to secure 10-2 major decision over Coe's Clayton Rush, who won the 125-pound NCAA Division III crown last year.

Rush caught McDonough with an opening takedown and led, 2-1, after the first. McDonough answered with an escape and a takedown in the second, but Rush was still within a takedown with 25 seconds left. He shot in, but McDonough countered for his own takedown, cinching up a cradle for a three-point nearfall. It also allowed McDonough to accrue riding time and bonus points.

"Rush is a great competitor and Matt's a great competitor," Coe Coach John Oostendorp said. "It's fun to watch them get after it out there."

Ballweg, Derek St. John (157) and 165-pounder Jake Kerr notched falls in a four-match stretch against Iowa Central. Six others scored major decisions.

Brands discusses Ballweg's performance.

“This is not an off night,” Brands said. “Coe College is a good team with good wrestlers. Iowa Central is a good team with good wrestlers and you've got to be ready.”

Cornell matched the Hawkeyes 2-0 mark, beating Iowa Central, 25-15, and SIU-Edwardsville, 39-6. The Rams only dropped four matches combined and improved to 3-0 this season. Kevin Donahue had two pins at 141, Nicholas Loughlin (157) won by pin and technical fall and Joe Hambleton (165) and 184-pounder Andrew Roberts each had a pin for Cornell.

Cornell hosts Iowa and UT-Chattanooga next Friday at the Small Multi-Sport Center in Mount Vernon.

The Kohawks opened the day by trouncing SIU-Edwardsville, 37-6. Rush, Nick LeClere (165) and Seth Rehn (184) each had pins for Coe (2-1) in the opening dual.

Oostendorp said the way his team performed was the gauge for success from the Iowa meet. He liked the way his team wrestled except for a few matches where Kohawks looked like they didn't have faith to finish moves.

"I thought the fight and effort were there," Coe Coach John Oostendorp said. "I like the way our guys fight. I think we can learn a lot from this. The thing I don't want to accept is not thinking you can be in that match at the end." 

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