Lofthouse responds, Hawkeyes drop Northwestern (Video)

IOWA CITY -- Ethen Lofthouse demonstrated how to be tough in a tough situation.

The University of Iowa 174-pound sophomore faced the same start against the opponent that handed him his worst loss of the year, but this time he was the one that walked off the mat with a victory.

Lofthouse erased a 2-0 deficit for a 5-2 victory over Northwestern's ninth-ranked Lee Munster, helping the second-ranked Hawkeyes claim a 24-13 win over the No. 17 Wildcats Sunday at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Iowa (9-1, 4-0 Big Ten) won six of 10 matches to win its 39th straight dual against a Big Ten opponent.

In their first meeting in the finals of the Midlands Championship, Munster scored the opening takedown and continued to post a four-point win. The loss was upsetting to Lofthouse, who failed to score on multiple opportunities in the late-December match.

“I learned to stay on my offense,” Lofthouse said. “When I'm on my offense, he's not getting in on my legs. He's worrying about where I'm at as far as my level changes. That was the difference today.

“It just shows my work is paying off. Just need to keep working even harder now.”

It could also be a sign that his mentality has changed a bit as well. Iowa Coach Tom Brands said Lofthouse demonstrated the ability to handle adversity after the similar start to the earlier loss. When things got rough Sunday, Lofthouse got tough.

“Midlands he gave up the first takedown, too,” Brands said. “Here he gives up the first takedown, but it's different. His response was different.

“That's going to be important to Ethen Lofthouse. Staying tough the whole time through.”

Munster's only points came from the opening takedown. Lofthouse escaped and then rode Munster the entire second, keeping him flat most of the period. Lofthouse tied the score 2-2, but held the riding time advantage. He didn't nurse his lead. Lofthouse scored a takedown and then rode Munster the remainder of the match.

Lofthouse never doubted being able to get his hand raised.

“A takedown isn't anything,” Lofthouse said. “With the conditioning we have, I'm confident. I don't want to give it up but if I do I'm confident I can come off the bottom and go right back at it.”

Conditioning was a big factor to the response by Lofthouse, who continued to apply pressure feel its effects on Munster. He could feel him start to break as early as the first.

“I could feel him getting there in the first period,” Lofthouse said. “This is the time of year when teams start taking shortcuts and we're all about the process. We love the grind, so to speak. This is when we get tough.”

Brands said toughness has to be a habit. Things will be harder the next time he faces Munster or any other opponent.

“We didn't just beat him and now it's going to be easy from here on,” Brands said. “We have to be tough the next time, too.”

The Hawkeyes looked tough and dominant in the six matches they won. Second-ranked Matt McDonough sparked a three-match win streak in the first half of the dual. He gave Iowa its first lead at 4-3 with an 18-4 major decision at 125 over No. 9 Levi Mele.

Watch Tony Ramos before his match. he steps to the line and stares down his opponent every time.

Tony Ramos improved to 22-0 in his career at CHA, pinning Jameson Oster in 2:34 at 133 pounds. Montell Marion followed with an impressive 21-7 win over Pat Greco at 141.

Marion looked energized, putting on a takedown clinic. He tallied nine, including four in the second period. He showed the quickness, athleticism and talent that makes him a national title contender.

“He's wrestling like he knows he can wrestle,” Brands said. “It might be as simple as that.”

The fourth-ranked Marion had some close matches recently. He said his preparation has effected his effort on the mat. Marion has altered his diet and weight cutting, implementing a better plan for proper nutrition and keeping fueled so he benefits on the mat.

“To be honest with you, you're supposed to be able to get over that hump with mental toughness, but the thing is if your body can't respond to your brain, you're supposed to be able to will it, but if your body can't respond to your brain, there's not much you can do," Marion said. "I've got to make sure I have my ducks in a row and I'm getting everything lined up so when it comes to time when I have to will myself to do certain things in certain positions and certain times I'm going to have that energy.”

Mike Evans and Vinnie Wagner sandwiched Lofthouse with wins. Evans, fresh off handling third-ranked Robert Kokesh of Nebraska on Friday night, thumped Pierce Harger, 11-0, at 165. Wagner scored four takedowns en route to an 11-4 win over Robert Kellogg, a former Sioux City North prep, at 184.

The road gets tougher after Northwestern (5-3, 1-3). Brands stressed his wrestlers need to open up more with offense and he isn't entirely impressed to this point.

“Six out of 10 matches isn't what we're about,” Brands said. “It's a lot more fun to steamroll opponents, work hard, and feel good about all 10 guys. We have work to do.”

Iowa returns to action Friday for a dual against No. 8 Ohio State in Columbus, Ohio, before heading to State College, Pa., to wrestle No. 3 Penn State next Sunday.

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