Cruz control: Iowa’s Joey Cruz provides spark in 28-6 trouncing of No. 9 Illinois

IOWA CITY — Joey Cruz stepped to the platform and sat at the table behind one of the microphones.

He admitted this was the first time he had been summoned for a post-dual news conference. Iowa’s 125-pounder handled it as well as the opponent that garnered the invitation.

Cruz tallied four takedowns in the opening match and posted a 13-3 major decision over Caelan Riley, sparking the second-ranked Hawkeyes to a 28-6 victory over No. 9 Illinois in a Big Ten Conference men’s wrestling dual Friday night at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Iowa (8-0, 2-0) won eight bouts for its 13th straight win over the Illini (7-2, 2-2).

Cruz has been competing for the starting spot with Kale Petersen. Cruz received the nod for both conference duals this week and recorded back-to-back triumphs.

“Good,” Cruz said about the feeling to secure a win in CHA and capitalizing on another chance to be in the lineup. “You just got to take your opportunity and go to the fullest, I’d say. I just continue to do what we do best.”

Cruz controlled the match from the start, notching a takedown in the first and third periods with two in the second. He was the aggressor and wasn’t going to be denied this night.

“For me, I just like to score,” Cruz said. “I just like shooting, shooting until I get it. I'm not going to stop until I get it.”

The conversion rate was impressive, finishing his first four shots with only one late attempt that didn’t yield points. Iowa Coach Tom Brands said Cruz penetrated, was confident and continued forward, allowing him to get back to his feet to attack again.

“Taking more attempts and converting on those attempts is probably what the ingredients are for his success,” Brands said. “That’s going to have to continue. So, good job and let's keep it going.”

Cruz has wrestled at a higher level since the break. He said he has believed in himself, teammates, coaches and staff. Cruz has also benefited from practicing with teammates like Drake Ayala, who flanked him in the news conference after his win over No. 2 Lucas Byrd at 133, Spencer Lee and Austin DeSanto.

“It’s great,” Cruz said. “I’ve got the number one guy in the country, along with Spencer Lee, best in the world. You take advice program, and you use it.”

“He's a dog,” Ayala said of Cruz. “I love wrestling right after him and this is just the beginning for him.”

Third-ranked Ayala followed in the most anticipated match of the dual. Ayala and Byrd exchanged escapes for a 1-1 match inside the final minute.

Ayala produced the only takedown, snapping Byrd down and then hitting a single-leg, which led to a brief scramble. Ayala came out on top for the decisive move in a 4-2 decision.

“it's kind of hard to like go through it just because adrenaline was going and stuff, but I did rewatch it,” Ayala said. “It's just kind of been a position I’ve worked on, I got there, and I capitalized.

“I’ve got to get more of that offense going in the first half (of the match), first period, second period, too,” Ayala said. “That was a late takedown, so I got a continue to get offense going earlier.”

Ayala toed the fine line between forcing action and being smart. He has worked on taking advantage of scoring when presented. Ayala also relies on conditioning to secure those late points.

“I’ve been prepared to go into deep water my whole life and college wrestling is no different,” Ayala said. “I’m confident there.”

The 2024 NCAA finalist is now 10-1. Earlier in the week, Ayala said he doesn’t put too much emphasis on matches. The same can be said for his results.

“You can't get too high or too low,” Ayala said. “I’ve got Ohio State coming into town next Saturday, so I've got to be ready to go. I got a tough guy there.

“I'm happy I won, but we got bigger things on the horizon.”

Kyle Parco and Miguel Estrada added consecutive decisions for a 13-3 Iowa lead at the midway intermission. Estrada used a second-period takedown for a 3-2 win over No. 22 Jason Kraisser at 157.

Michael Caliendo thumped Braeden Scoles for a 20-4 technical fall at 165. Patrick Kennedy followed with a decision at 174, making it 21-3 with three matches remaining.

Gabe Arnold produced another notable win to seal the dual. No. 5 Arnold scored a takedown in the first and beat No. 13 Edmond Ruth, 5-1, at 184.

Top-ranked Stephen Buchanan provided a second major decision, pulling away with a nine-point third period to beat Zac Braunagel, 13-2, at 197.

Iowa’s only two losses were by a combined three points and heavyweight Ben Kueter two strong takedown attempts in the final minute, including as time expired, but Illinois’ Luke Luffman fended them off for a 3-1 decision to cap the dual.

Iowa dominated the statistical battle. The Hawkeyes a 15-1 edge in takedowns, 8-0 advantage in nearfall points and 68-21 in total match points. More offense is desired.

“I know that we have to work harder at scoring points overall,” Brands said about the Hawkeyes’ performance.

AT IOWA CITY

Iowa 28, Illinois 6

(Individual takedowns in parentheses)

125 pounds — Joey Cruz (Iowa) major dec. Caelan Riley, 13-3 (4,0); 133 — Drake Ayala (Iowa) dec. Lucas Byrd, 4-2 (1,0); 141 — Danny Pucino (Ill) dec. Ryder Block, 4-3 (1,0); 149 — Kyle Parco (Iowa) dec. Kannon Webster, 1-0 (0,0); 157 — MIguel Estrada (Iowa) dec. Jason Kraisser, 3-2 (1,0); 165 — Michael Caliendo (Iowa) tech. fall Braeden Scoles, 20-4 (5,0); 174 — Patrick Kennedy (Iowa) dec. Danny Braunagel, 5-0 (1,0); 184 — Gabe Arnold (Iowa) dec. Edmond Ruth, 5-1 (1,9); 197 — Stephen Buchanan (Iowa) major dec. Zac Braunagel, 13-2 (2,0); Hwt. — Luke Luffman (Ill) dec. Ben Kueter, 3-1 (0,0)

MEET STATISTICS

Takedowns: Iowa 15, Illinois 1. Reversals: Iowa 0, Illinois 1. Escapes: Iowa 9, Illinois 15. Nearfall points: Iowa 8, Illinois 0. Penalty points (awarded): Iowa 2, Illinois 0. Riding time points: Iowa 4, Illinois 1. Total match points: Iowa 68, Illinois 21.

Comments: kj.pilcher@thegazette.com