Hawks test duals lineup

IOWA CITY - The attitude has to reflect what is rapidly approaching for the University of Iowa wrestling team.

The Hawkeyes open the dual season at home Friday, then Coach Tom Brands said the stakes get higher with Big Ten competition and intrastate rivals in the following weeks.

Top-ranked Iowa will host Cornell College, Iowa Central Community College and Baker (Kan.) University in the Iowa City Duals Friday at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The first of three duals begins at 3 p.m.

The Hawkeyes crowned seven champions last weekend at the Lindenwood Open to open the tournament season. Brands wants to see increased urgency.

“Things don't happen automatically. Your past results don't entitle you to wide-margin wins,” Brands said. “What I'm doing today and tomorrow to get ready for the next event is the most important thing, and there has to be urgency.”

Red-shirt freshmen Mike Evans (165) and heavyweight Bobby Telford won titles at Lindenwood in St. Louis by beating teammates they also beat in team wrestle-offs. Evansdecisioned Nick Moore, 3-0, slightly expanding his margin of victory from the wrestle-off. Telford blanked 2011 Big Ten champion Blake Rasing, 1-0 in last Saturday's final.

“They have solidified their spots,” Brands said. “The other guy has to be ready. They've got to be ready to step in. They have to continue to train with the mindset they are the national champion at their weight class.

“Motivation still has to be at a high level, but those two guys certainly put their stamp on their weight class.”

Tony Ramos, an NCAA qualifier last year, avenged a wrestle-off loss to Tyler Clark with a 4-1 win in the 133-pound final. Brands wasn't sharing his plans for thatcompetitive weight.

“We'll see what happens in the next couple days, but right now I probably have a way I'm leaning,” Brands said.

Don't be surprised if Iowa's depth is on display today with a number of Hawkeyes taking the mat during the three duals.

“The Hawkeyes open at 3 Friday against Baker, an NAIA program that has an 11-0 mark since starting competition during the 2009-10 season. Then it's Cornell at 5 p.m. The Rams are ranked fifth in the NWCA Division III poll and return six national qualifiers from a year ago. Iowa closes the duals against five-time National Junior College Athletic Association national champion Iowa Central, which is coached by former Hawkeye Luke Moffitt.

Cornell wrestles Iowa Central at 3 p.m.