ISU coach singles out Metcalf, Terry Brands after National Duals

AMES - Losing the meet was one thing, but something else was bugging Iowa State wrestling coach Kevin Jackson following his team's 19-12 loss to its most bitter rival Sunday at the NWCA/Cliff Keen National Duals.

The matside behavior from some of Iowa's coaches and wrestlers at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls was childish and in poor taste, Jackson said Monday. Without prompting, ISU's first-year coach asked a room full of reporters if they had seen the finish to Brent Metcalf's victory over Mitch Mueller at 149 pounds.

When some shook their heads, Jackson declined to go further, but clearly was bothered by the Hawkeye star's antics.

“If you guys didn't see it I'm not going to go there,” he said. “I'm surprised that is not more media worthy, but I'm not going to say something that might ... I don't know. It's just funny I think.”

Iowa Public Television cameras apparently caught Metcalf making an inappropriate gesture following his 7-3 decision over Mueller.

Jackson also referenced Iowa assistant Terry Brands, again, without going into specifics.

The coaching area for the teams Sunday was on the same side of the mat, closer than usual. Remarks made during the meet by Brands, who coached alongside Jackson on U.S. Olympic and World teams, were not taken well by Cyclone coaches.

“I think Terry Brands is hilarious. I'm telling you,” Jackson said.

“I'm focused on my guys and coaching my guys up. I wish you (media) guys could put a mic down sometime because it's pretty comical some of the things that go on close to that bench. It's entertaining to say the least ... We've been together for a long time and I'd never seen that side really. Maybe that's (Brands') coaching style now. I don't know.”

Both teams came into the meet hobbling.

Iowa (13-0) was missing four regulars from its lineup. ISU was without 141-pound All-American Nick Gallick and had an injured David Zabriskie wrestling at heavyweight.

As was the case last month when the Hawkeyes won 18-16 at Hilton Coliseum, Iowa came out victorious in most of the close matches. ISU lost three of the four bouts decided by two points or less.

Wins came from Nick Fanthorpe (133), Jerome Ward (184), Jake Varner (197) and Zabriskie.

“It was intense and it was fun,” Jackson said. “Obviously it's a lot more fun when you win. We both want to win very, very bad. When two teams or two coaches or anybody else wants the same thing you are going to have some intensity in the room.”

By Eric Petersen, The Gazette