Iowa men’s wrestling handles Minnesota, 23-11, closes Big Ten dual season with Northwestern Sunday

MINNEAPOLIS - University of Iowa’s Joey Cruz set the tone and most of his teammates followed suit.

The third-ranked Hawkeyes won seven of 10 matches, including a Cruz decision over No. 9 Cooper Flynn, and defeated No. 6 Minnesota, 23-11, Friday night at Maturi Pavilion. Iowa recorded its 11th straight dual victory over the Golden Gophers.

Cruz rebounded with a winning takedown in sudden victory-1 for a 7-4 decision after surrendering a late score to force the extra period. It was one of six decisions for the Hawkeyes.

"We won closes matches, I like that," Iowa Coach Tom Brands said in a news release. "We got into a little bit of adversity at (125) and won an overtime match, I like that. The thing is it doesn't have to go to that. (Drake) Ayala and (Patrick) Kennedy going for a major and then we give up takedowns there, we have got to be a little bit free-er there that's what I have to say."

Michael Caliendo (165) was the lone Hawkeye to post a bonus-point victory. Second-ranked Caliendo thumped No. 10 Andrew Sparks, 21-5, for a technical fall. Caliendo beat Sparks, 7-6, in their last match at the Soldier Salute in December.

Ayala (133), Kyle Parco (149), Jacori Teemer (157), Kennedy (174) and 197-pounder Stephen Buchanan each won matches. Buchanan beat No. 8 Isaiah Salazar, 5-1.

Iowa improved to 11-1 overall and 5-1 in the Big Ten, entering its conference finale against Northwestern Sunday at Carver-Hawkeye Arena, beginning at 1 p.m.

The Wildcats (4-6, 2-5) have five ranked wrestlers and are coming off a 27-11 win over Wisconsin. No. 11 Trevor Chumbley (157), No. 13 Evan Bates (197) and No. 16 Maxx Mayfield at 165 lead the way for Northwestern.

“You have to score match points in the first, second and third period in bushelfuls,” Brands said during the team’s weekly media availability Tuesday.

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