Cobe Siebrecht brings the funk in sudden victory to down top-10 foe, helps No. 2 Iowa handle No. 9 Michigan in Big Ten wrestling dual

IOWA CITY — Cobe Siebrecht has a style that can wow a crowd, flummox a coach and even annoy teammates wrestling him in practice.

It has also won him matches, even if the fundamental to funk in-match transition can be hard for Iowa’s 157-pounder to recall. Such was the case with his winning takedown in sudden victory over Michigan’s No. 10 Will Lewan.

“I don’t know,” No. 13 Siebrecht said of the decisive score. “I just kind of did it. I’d have to rewatch it.

“I kind of feel what’s going on and just do what I can to score and not give up that takedown in overtime.”

Siebrecht posted a 3-1 decision and one of Iowa’s eight victories in a 33-8 trouncing of No. 9 Michigan Friday night in a Big Ten Conference wrestling dual at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Siebrecht notched his 10th win of the season and third against a top-10 opponent.

“Good job staying in there,” Iowa Coach Tom Brands said. “There’s a lot of things that go on in your preparation and he rose to the occasion when he had to. Take your hat off to Cobe Siebrecht. Big statement takedown there. Big statement win.”

Interestingly, Siebrecht has only been in one other overtime match, losing it by giving up a takedown on a super duck under. He fared better this time.

Siebrecht and Lewan exchanged escapes in regulation. Each had attempts at scores without much threat. In sudden victory, Lewan shot, Siebrecht was on his and locked through Lewan’s crotch. Lewan attempted to finish only for Siebrecht to throw his hips over the top and come around behind for the takedown.

“He was in on my leg,” Siebrecht said. “He was finishing strong and I swam out and kind of cartwheeled over him.”

The former Lisbon prep has commandeered the starting spot this season. His ability to hit high-frequency scoring moves has been on display this season.

Siebrecht exhibited in a pin against then-No. 10 Anthony Artalona of Penn, a big throw in a major decision over Iowa State’s Jason Kraisser and others. He has followed Brands’ suggestion of letting losing and making foes highlight-reel fodder.

“Just got to let it fly,” Siebrecht said. “It’s been something I’ve been working on.

“In year’s past, I’ve kind of been holding back and not emphasizing letting it fly in my match. Just trying to score points really.”

A stubborn-minded approach has allowed his style to develop. Siebrecht refuses to surrender points and will do whatever it takes to avoid scores. He has become a fan favorite with his ability to occasionally be unorthodox and capability of big moves.

“I’ve heard people say it’s hard to coach me just because I do weird things, I guess,” Siebrecht said. “I guess people say I’m fun.”

Iowa (14-1, 7-1) was offensive from the start. The Hawkeyes won the first seven matches, building a 28-0 lead through 174. Major decisions from Spencer Lee (125) and Real Woods (141) sandwiched Brody Teske’s technical fall at 133. Patrick Kennedy recorded a first-period pin at 165, while NCAA finalist Jacob Warner had a first-period technical fall.

Lee, Teske, Woods, Max Murin (149) and Warner all scored double digits. Warner snapped a two-match losing streak and needed just 2:25 to trounce Brendin Yatooma, 16-1.

“Awesome,” Brands said. “Any time you score 16 points in the first period, good job. I think he wanted to make it a point and he did. Good job. Probably more importantly is scoring 16 in the first period is getting a takedown in the first period.”

Iowa outscored a short-handed Michigan lineup, 51-17, in the first period.

“Absolutely a point of emphasis,” said Woods, who beat Pat Nolan, 15-1. “It’s getting into the grind time and the most important part of the season, so the most important thing to win matches is to score points, so it’s been a huge emphasis.”

Early scores can help dictate the action and establish the style a wrestler prefers.

“It sets the tone of a match for yourself, getting a good handle and flow in your style, making it your match,” Woods said. “The big thing in wrestling in my matches is making it my style, my match, my kind of pace. I think it’s really important.”

Top-ranked heavyweight Mason Parris earned Michigan’s second win and capped the dual by winning a thriller over No. 3 Tony Cassioppi. Parris scored a late takedown and added a riding time point for a 9-7 decision.

Parris led 4-2 with two takedowns in the first, but Cassioppi battled back. Cassioppi scored a takedown, putting Parris in the neutral danger zone position as the second period expired. Cassioppi took a 7-5 lead with a takedown in the third, but Parris escaped and scored the final three points.

Iowa closes its regular-season schedule with Senior Day here against No. 7 Oklahoma State on Feb. 19.

AT IOWA CITY

Iowa 33, Michigan 8

(Individual takedowns in parentheses)

125 pounds – Spencer Lee (I) major dec. Jack Medley, 11-2 (3,0); 133 – Brody Teske (I) tech. fall Wilfried Tanefeu, 19-3 (3,1); 141 – Real Woods (I) major dec. Pat Nolan, 15-1 (4,0); 149 – Max Murin (I) dec. Chance Lamer, 10-4 (4,0); 157 – Cobe Siebrecht (I) dec. Will Lewan, 3-1 SV1 (1,0); 165 – Patrick Kennedy (I) pinned Alex Wesselman, 2:31 (2,0); 174 – Nelson Brands (I) dec. Joseph Walker, 5-1 (1,0); 184 – Mitch Finesilver (M) tech. fall Drake Rhodes, 15-0 (2,0); 197 – Jacob Warner (I) tech. fall Brendin Yatooma, 16-1 (2,0); Hwt. – Mason Parris (M) dec. Tony Cassioppi, 9-7 (3,2).

MEET STATISTICS

Takedowns – Michigan 6, Iowa 22. Reversals – Michigan 0, Iowa 0. Escapes – Michigan 15, Iowa 9. Nearfall points – Michigan 10, Iowa 30. Penalty points (awarded) – Michigan 0, Iowa 3. Riding-time points – Michigan 1, Iowa 4. Total match points – Michigan 38, Iowa 90. Officials – Nick Grosso, Michael Chase. Attendance – 14,905.