Hawkeyes' Kerr gets shot at 157 pounds in postseason

ANN ARBOR, Mich. - After a season of competing for a starting spot in the University of Iowa's lineup, Jake Kerr was appointed the man at 157 pounds for the postseason.

Kerr showed his gratitude Saturday with a 5-3 quarterfinal win over Ohio State's Sean Nemec in the Big Ten Conference wrestling tournament at Crisler Arena.

Kerr built a 4-1 lead, scoring an opening takedown on a throw-by and spinning around behind Nemec and returning him to the mat for the second. Nemec was able to get to Kerr's legs, but his strong defense avoided giving up any takedowns.

“The past I don't know how many meets I've been doing awesome throwing my legs back,” Kerr said. “I know I need to move my feet more.”

Kerr held on, but Hawkeyes Coach Tom Brands said he gave Nemec chances to come back and left too many points on the mat.

“I'm not about that,” said Brands, who platooned Kerr with junior Aaron Janssen during the season, even drawing names out of a hat to determine who wrestled.

Kerr said he was notified Friday he would be wrestling.

“It was a gut decision,” Brands said.

Kerr and Janssen remained in limbo for the week, but Kerr said he was a little more at ease waiting for the final call.

“It was tough, but I think it was more tough during the season than it was for this,” Kerr said. “I knew I felt good. I've been feeling good. I've been doing well in the wrestling room.”

Brands to Brands

Iowa's top-ranked senior 149-pounder Brent Metcalf entered the tournament tied with head coach Tom Brands for seventh at Iowa in career pins. Metcalf needed just 1:08 to deck Purdue's Nicholas Bertucci in the quarterfinals.

Metcalf had 47 career pins and 16 this season before last night's semifinal round. One more pin would place him in a tie for sixth with Hawkeye assistant Terry Brands.

Schlatter forfeits

University of Minnesota's three-time All-American and 2006 NCAA champion Dustin Schlatter medically forfeited from the conference meet.

Schlatter, who was the No. 1 preliminary seed at 157 pounds, was hurt in practice this week, according to the Golden Gophers' Web site. The conference reseeded the bracket.

Likely healthy enough to compete in the NCAA Championships March 18-20 in Omaha, Schlatter would be favored to qualify with an at-large bid.