Reader caps undefeated season with NCAA crown

PHILADELPHIA - Two men. One mission.

Iowa State University Jon Reader was trying to reach the highest level and University of Iowa's Matt McDonough was trying to do the same for a second nstraight year.

Reader finished the mission, winning the 174-pound championship and McDonough fell short in the 125-pound  finals  Saturday night at the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships at the Wells Fargo Center.

Reader (39-0) became the the 50th wrestler in Iowa State history to win an NCAA title and the eighth Cyclone national champion to finish undefeated since Dan Gable, beating Standford's seventh-seeded Nick Amuchastegui, 10-3, in the championship bout.

"I think Jon was better," Iowa State Coach Kevin Jackson said. "Jon was a better wrestler.

"The Stanford kid had a hot tournament but when it comes right down to it and they both throw their best matches out there I believe Jon's supposed to win that match."

Reader battled an early cut to his head that left him wrapped in tape for the duration of the match. He jumped to an early start, scoring an opening takedown and racking up four nearfall points for a 6-1 lead at the end of the first. Reader added an escape in the second, another takedown in the third and more than two minutes of riding time.

"It was great," Reader said about getting out to an early lead. "I got on top. And I feel comfortable in the claw. (Iowa State assistant coach) Travis (Paulson) kept telling me before the match you're going to get on top and you're going to pressure him hard. ... I feel comfortable when we're rolling around and I have the claw, and I was just I got him in a claw twice."

Reader, who said he benefited from being on the U.S. World Junior team last summer, received a bit of redemption with the title performance. Last year, Reader failed to place for the only time in his four NCAA tournament appearances.

"Yeah, I had an embarrassing tournament last year," Reader said.  "I had some obstacles I had to overcome injury.  But this year I spent a lot of time with the Paulsons and Coach Jackson this summer just really sharpening my skills."

McDonough (27-2) reached the NCAA championship for the second straight year against top-seeded Anthony Robles of Arizona State. Unlike last year, this season did end with a win for the Hawkeye sophomore, dropping a 7-1 decision for the 125-pound title.

Robles, who was born without a right leg, received a lot of attention for his performance leading up to the finals. The circumstances force him to wrestle a different style compared to other 125-pound wrestlers. McDonough and Robles had never met before the championship bout

“It's my first time wrestling a tough opponent like that,” McDonough said. “It's quite obvious there's a difference in style with someone who has one leg and a large upper body as opposed to anyone else in the country.

“It's definitely not an experience to take lightly. Regardless of anything else, it's obviously it's not what I set out to accomplish this year. It's not what I was looking to do.”

Robles (36-0) scored a takedown, spinning behind McDonough in the opening minute, and then scored five nearfall points on two separate tilts in the first for a 7-0 advantage. Robles' upper body is bigger than most wrestlers in the weight class, and his strength proved to be a factor. McDonough said it was one he should have been able to handle.

“It just means you have to be more aware of what you're getting yourself into and go out there to scrap,” McDonough said. “You can't come out in the first two minutes and feel things out when you're in that stage.”

The difference was Robles was able to wrestle in the positions that he thrives. He was able to score the go-behind and put massive pressure on top with his big upper body.

“We gave up a takedown and an arm,” Iowa Coach Tom Brands said. “That's where he's good.”

In the final two minutes, McDonough managed to earn two stall calls for a point, but wasn't able to get the big move he was trying to hit.

“Nothing was in my favor besides having a big move and I was doing whatever I could to wrestle hard," McDonough said. "I didn't have any openings. I didn't make any openings.”

Brands said Robles beat McDonough "fair and square" but wasn't faulting McDonough for his effort. The loss won't set well with the former NCAA champion and Big ten titlest. McDonough will continue on his mission for another NCAA title.

“It doesn't derail him,” Brands said. “It stings. I mean, it hurts.

“You take your medicine, though. You take the bad with the good. I'll take my medicine. I think you have to put some things on the coach there to on that match.”

McDonough was already looking forward shortly after the awards presentation.

“I'm working for another year, starting a half hour ago,” McDonough said. “Starting two minutes after my match, I took my time. Now it's time to build.”

Next year, the Hawkeyes will need to build on their third place team finish, which snapped their string of three straight NCAA titles. Iowa scored 86.5 points with five All-Americans. Joining McDonough on the awards stand were Montell Marion (141), Derek St. John (157), Grant Gambrall (184) and 197-pounder Luke Lofthouse.

“We earned what we got,” Brands said. “We got third in the tournament as a team. Our guys pretty much earned what they got. In their individual performances, I believe they underachieved. That's how much I believe in our guys.”

Gambrall had a great tournament, receiving the 12th seed, but capturing third place. Gambrall (25-8) beat the No. 3, No. 4 and No. 5 seeds with the Hawkeyes' second-highest finish.

"It was pretty much how I expected," Gambrall said. " Obviously I thought I'd be wrestling (Saturday night). More motivation for next year."

Gambrall proved he belongs along the best wrestlers in the nation when he is focused and determined to wrestle.

"What I thought all along was right. I'm pretty tough when I want to be," Gambrall said. "Make sure I get ready for every match."

Marion (13-5), an NCAA finalist last year, placed fourth, as did St. John (24-6) at 157. Lofthouse was fifth. All but Lofthouse and 165-pound NCAA qualifier Aaron Janssen return. Brands said there are things to build on but it has to be proven after the emotion of the tournament is gone.

“More than that even when I say there are things to build on there are things that you can be proud of with some of these guys even though we don't have a champion,” Brands said. “I always talk about champions. We want to get champions, but we don't have one so it's not like you are negative. It's not all negative. There are some positives.”

Penn State had a champion in 184-pounder Quentin Wright, the only one to beat Gambrall in the tournament, and won its first NCAA title since 1953, scoring 107.5 points. Cornell finished second for the second straight season, receiving a title from 149-pounder Kyle Dake.

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