Toughness pays for Hawks

CEDAR FALLS - The University of Iowa wrestling team made a strong statement Sunday.

They're the best, no matter who takes the mat in a black and gold singlet.

The top-ranked Hawkeyes entered the NWCA/Cliff Keen National Duals short-handed due to injuries and still claimed their third straight national duals crown with a 19-12 victory over No. 2 Iowa State in the title match at the UNI-Dome.

Iowa extended its dual win streak to 51 straight, joining Oklahoma State (2003-05) as the only programs to win three straight national duals titles. The expectations are the same for anyone wrestles in the Hawkeye lineup.

“Is that our best lineup out there?” asked Iowa Coach Tom Brands, answering himself. “Doesn't matter because we believe in our guys and we have some pretty tough wrestlers.”

The Hawkeyes (13-0) exhibited that toughness in the finals. They won six matches without allowing a single bonus point against the Cyclones (6-2). They built a 19-3 lead behind some hard-fought wins and solid performances.

“We came out slugging and in a fight,” said Brands, who seemed irritated by the lack of competitiveness from some of his wrestlers Saturday. “Got knocked down a couple times, but got up a lot.”

Ryan Morningstar picked himself off the mat to earn a key victory at 165 pounds, scoring the final four points for a 5-4 win over Jon Reader, who had beat him the previous two meetings. Morningstar trailed 4-1 in the second, but notched a takedown with 35 seconds left for the lead and rode Reader out to erase riding time for the win.

“He's gutsy,” Brands said. “He's been gutsy his whole career, so I'm not surprised.”

Morningstar appeared more offensive, which is key to his success. he scored more than seven points in three matches, reaching double figures twice.

“I had a good week of practice, going out scoring a lot of points,” Morningstar said. “It's just a matter of taking pride in yourself ... taking a little more pride in guys wrestling you close.”

Dan LeClere added a reversal of his own after losing to ISU's Nick Gallick in the previous dual. He scored two takedowns, delivering a 7-2 decision over Dalton Jensen at 141 and giving Iowa a 6-3 lead. Montell Marion had wrestled 141 the previous three rounds for Iowa.

“It's a hard thing to stay in there and do your job when you're maybe not the man and the No. 1 guy and it's automatic that you're going,” Brands said. “A tribute to him.”

LeClere, who has lost a wrestle-off and match to Marion at the Midlands Championships, wanted to take advantage of a chance to be in the mix for that spot.

“The spot's not settled,” LeClere said. “It's an opportunity to prove myself, and get myself back in the hunt.”

The Hawkeyes never looked back. Top-ranked Brent Metcalf earned a decision at 149 and Aaron Janssen scored a takedown in overtime for his second win over Andrew Sorenson at 157, setting up Morningstar.

Borschel, who was named the outstanding wrestler of the Division I tournament, capped the scoring with a 10-2 major decision over Duke Burk at 174. All four of Borschel's wins came against ranked opponents.

Iowa advanced to the final with a 28-12 win over Minnesota. The Cyclones advanced with a 23-9 win over Ohio State. The match was kicked off by another intense battle between Iowa's Matt McDonough and Andrew Long - two red-shirt freshmen. The two engaged in a seesaw affair before McDonough scored a takedown with just over a minute remaining for the 9-8 win. McDonough is 19-0 and has handed Long all three of his losses (18-3).

The match was almost already decided by the time ISU scored three straight wins to end the meet. Jerome Ward (184), top-ranked Jake Varner (197) and heavyweight David Zabriskie won by decision.

Ward scored a takedown in the opening of overtime for his second win this season over No. 6 Phil Keddy. It was his second win over a higher ranked wrestler. In the semifinals, Ward used a second-period takedown and a reversal in the third to beat Ohio State's former NCAA champion and two-time national finalist Mike Pucillo, 5-3.

“Ward continues to get better,” Jackson said. “(Ward) continues to tie in to the techniques, tactics, philosophy controlling tie-ups and he's wrestling.”

Jackson insisted that his team was “going to get them” referring to beating the Hawkeyes.

“These guys are understanding what it takes, however, we're still flawed,” Jackson said. “We're going tog et better. We're going to be fine.”

The Hawkeyes won seven matches against Minnesota, beating the Gophers, 28-12, to set up the rematch with the Cyclones.

Brent Metcalf ignited the Hawkeyes with a pin at 149. Minnesota scored a fall in the previous match, when Michael Thorn caught Montell Marion in just 42 seconds and tied the score, 6-6. Thorn's celebration was short-lived as Metcalf quickly re-established Iowa's six-point lead, decking David Zilverberg in 2:18. It sparked a five-match win streak for Iowa.

Metcalf has made a habit of getting vital wins or points for the Hawkeyes in his career.

“I don't know if it's that I feel like I have to but it's I know I have to.” Metcalf said. “I put it on myself to go and do it. ... It's my expectation. It's what's built inside me that brings that out.”

Ward had one of seven Cyclone wins against the Buckeyes in the 23-9 semifinal win. Fanthorpe (133) and Varner scored major decisions for ISU, which fell to 6-2 with both losses coming against the Hawkeyes.