Iowa looking for lineup answers at Luther Open

The University of Iowa should have some answers to lineup questions after this weekend.

Those Hawkeyes vying for starting spots will have the chance to the forefront in competition.

Top-ranked Iowa officially open the varsity season today at the Luther Open in Decorah, starting at 9 a.m.

Middleweights have some uncertainty, especially 149 and 157 pounds. There is a mix of experience and fresh faces.

'Where we're at at those weights is (149-pound national qualifier) Brody Grothus is a returner at 149,” Iowa Coach Tom Brands said at the program's annual media day last week at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. 'At 157, we have a veteran there (with) Mike Kelly.

'Those two guys will factor in, but there's some exciting new names in there. as well, with Edwin Cooper and Brandon Sorensen.”

Grothus was ranked in the preseason, going 24-12 last season with notable wins over Northwestern NCAA champion Jason Tsirtsis, Oklahoma State national finalist Josh Kindig and Michigan All-American Eric Grajales. Sorensen and Cooper might be the front-runners for the spots, despite both competing at 149 this weekend.

Sorensen is a red-shirt freshman. He went 24-4 last season, splitting time between 149 and 157. Sorensen, a four-time state champion for Denver-Tripoli, finished third at the Midlands Championships, topping Grothus in the final round.

Cooper, the 2012 NJCAA 149-pound national champion for Iowa Central, was an NCAA Division II national finalist last season for Upper Iowa. He was a combined 74-5 those two seasons. He beat Grothus last year at this tournament, losing to Kelly in the finals.

With Patrick Rhodes and transfer Eric Devos, the Hawkeyes have developed some depth.

'We have different partners every day,” Sorensen said. 'You have different angles to work from. It's good. You get a variety of guys every time.”

The 141-pound spot could calso come into focus. Brands said Topher Carton has made big strides from last spring and will battle senior Josh Dziewa, who is ranked 12th after reaching the 2014 NCAA tournament.

'You have a guy like Topher Carton,” Brands said. 'If you look at somebody you'd give a most-improved award to in the wrestling room, it would probably be him.”

Brands said Dziewa has goals yet to accomplish after a stellar prep career, and he needs a sense of urgency.

'About the time you snap your fingers, March is going to be here,” Brands said. 'There's some things that are undone in his career, and let's get them done.”

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