Final score doesn't tell whole story in Iowa's victory over Iowa State

IOWA CITY — At first glance, the results seem to show Iowa with another dominant victory over in-state rival Iowa State.

Hawkeye Coach Tom Brands cautioned not to take the final score for face value.

'That was a very close dual, even though the score was lopsided,' Brands said after third-ranked Iowa won seven of 10 matches against the Cyclones. 'There were some tough situations that we did not wrestle through and that is a concern. Big time.'

The third-ranked Hawkeyes defeated Iowa State, 26-9, Saturday night at Carver-Hawkeye Arena, winning their 13th straight dual in the series.

Brands said he isn't down about the performance, but he isn't ready to congratulate his team for keeping the Dan Gable Traveling Trophy for every year since its inception in 2010. Instead, he echoed Oklahoma State Coach John Smith's comments about perspective after a win over an in-state foe.

'We're just trying to beat Iowa State,' Brands said. 'We're trying to close the gap on the best teams in the country, because we're not the best team in the country. We have a lot of work to do, if that's the case.'

The Hawkeyes (5-0) recorded bonus points and mixed in some solid third-period performances to extend their edge in the Cy-Hawk dual to 63-16-2.

Top-ranked Thomas Gilman provided the first big blow at 125 pounds, scoring a 19-4 technical fall over Markus Simmons just seconds into the third. Gilman racked up five takedowns and closed the second with four nearfall.

With two-time NCAA finalist Cory Clark sidelined due to injury at 133 and heavyweight Sam Stoll waiting to return from knee surgery, Gilman produced a boost with the big win. He had the same job regardless of who else was in the Hawkeyes' lineup.

'I'm always going out there and trying to beat my opponent to a pulp and make that margin as large as I can,' Gilman said. 'I think if I do that it picks up the slack.'

'I do what I need to do. I do my part and it's up to those other guys to do their part.'

The teams alternated victories in the first four weights, but senior Topher Carton started a six-match win streak that sandwiched the midway intermission.

At 141, Carton won a strange match that saw him tie the match at three apiece early in the third, despite no offensive points. Carton scored two penalty points and an escape, adding two third-period takedowns for a 7-4 victory over John Meeks.

Carton gained confidence when he got in on a shot in the second, even though he didn't finish.

'That was a point where I felt me getting more to my offense,' said Carton, who was one of six Hawkeyes making their Cy-Hawk debut. 'Offense was there. I have to go out there and pull the trigger.'

Carton said there has been emphasis to wrestle strong all three periods instead of slowing in the third. Brands praised Carton for his final-period offense.

'Topher Carton getting third-period takedowns is what we're looking for,' Brands said. 'I know he can score the first and second period and ride tough.'

Iowa won three matches in the final period and added bonus points in then as well.

Redshirt freshman Joey Gunther and All-American Alex Meyer scored takedowns in the final frame for wins. Gunther scored the only takedown of his match for a 3-2 decision over Dane Pestano at 165.

Meyer scored two takedowns, including the decisive move with 26 seconds left to beat All-American Lelund Weatherspoon, 5-3, at 174.

Brandon Sorensen racked up nine points in the third for an 11-3 major decision over former Independence prep Chase Straw at 149, giving Iowa a 12-6 lead at the midway intermission.

Sammy Brooks broke open his match in the third for a 19-4 technical fall over Carson Powell at 184.

'Bonus points could have been the difference in the dual, so that's good,' Brands said. 'The guys like Sorensen having a strong third period, getting bonus points, that's big.

'There's our three All-Americans there. Meyer had a good win.'

Heavyweight Quean Smith and 197-pounder Marcus Harrington had bookend decisions for Iowa State (1-4). All-American Earl Hall added a win at 133, but it was the close decisions that hindered the Cyclones hopes for an upset.

'I think three matches changed the dual,' Jackson said. 'Three matches came down to takedowns in the third period. They got it. That was the difference, I think.'

No. 3 IOWA 26, IOWA STATE 9

Hwt. — Quean Smith (ISU) dec. Steven Holloway (IA), 10-5

125 — #1 Thomas Gilman (IA) tech. fall #18 Markus Simmons (ISU), 19-4

133 — #10 Earl Hall (ISU) dec. Phillip Laux (IA), 5-3

141 — Topher Carton (IA) dec. John Meeks (ISU), 7-4

149 — #2 Brandon Sorensen (IA) major dec. Chase Straw (ISU), 11-3

157 — #4 Michael Kemerer (IA) dec. Colston DiBlasi (ISU), 8-7

165 — Joey Gunther (IA) dec. Dane Pestano (ISU), 3-2

174 — #7 Alex Meyer (IA) dec. #10 Lelund Weatherspoon (ISU), 5-3

184 — #8 Sammy Brooks (IA) tech. fall Carson Powell (ISU), 19-3

197 — Marcus Harrington (ISU) dec. Cash Wilcke (IA), 4-3

l Comments: (319) 368-8679; kj.pilcher@thegazette.com