Hawkeyes host Virginia in National Duals qualifier

IOWA CITY - Carver-Hawkeye Arena is home sweet home for the University of Iowa.

After a season of wrestling their toughest opponents on the road, the top-ranked Hawkeyes will enjoy the comforts of home for their final duals.

Iowa will host No. 13 Virginia in a regional qualifier Sunday at CHA, beginning at 1 p.m. The winner advances to the quarterfinals of next weekend's EA Sports Nutrition/National Wrestling Coaches Association National Duals, also hosted by the Hawkeyes.

'It's something for our fans,” Iowa Coach Tom Brands said. 'They've had some good dual meets with some exciting moments.”

The National Duals has been a source of debate. Some factions have pushed to have a dual-meet element impact the team race of the NCAA Championships. The measured appeared to be tabled, but resurfaced. Nevertheless, the competition will be entertaining.

'There were two things. One was for our fans and the other one was we would put the kibosh on trying to continue to make the national duals part of how the team title is decided. Some things fell apart this fall where all of a sudden they are talking about a dual component of the team championship again,” Brands said. 'I tell you what; it's going to be a good event for our fans. That won't fall off. There will be good wrestling for our fans.”

The Hawkeyes (14-0) have a balanced lineup with all 10 wrestlers ranked 16th or better in the three top national rankings. They have competitive wrestlers able to beat anyone at each weight.

'We're tough,” Dziewa said. 'Up and down the lineup, everybody is focused on doing their job. If everyone does their job, good things will happen.”

Iowa has been successful in duals and claimed a team title in tournament competition at the Midlands Championships. Does one style fit them better?

'I don't necessarily think we are a better dual team than we are a tournament team,” Dziewa said. 'I think we can beat anybody any team in the country in any format.”

The Hawkeyes have improved on focusing on the individual and limiting the momentum swings during a dual.

'Our guys don't seem to let the results before them impact how their wrestling,” Brands said. 'They are pretty good at getting ready to go.”

They will be prepared for the Cavaliers (10-5), who have five ranked wrestlers, including No. 4 Nick Sulzer at 165 and fifth-ranked 174-pounder Blaise Butler. With the Big Ten Championships and national tournament fast approaching, the National Duals still is big for competitors.

'Yeah, it's important,” Iowa's 11th-ranked 165-pounder Nick Moore said. 'The next thing on the schedule is the most important match of your life.”

Don't underestimate the value of closing the season out at home after a rigorous road schedule.

'It's nice,” Dziewa said. 'It's going to be comfortable. We get to sleep in our own bed. We get to work out in our own facilities.

'It was nice to win on the road, but it's nice to be home for the next two weeks.”

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