Iowa looks to solidify lineup

IOWA CITY - Question marks in the University of Iowa wrestling lineup could have answers.

Plenty of options remain and even more work needs to be done before the second-ranked Hawkeyes solidify starting positions at 141, 157 and 165 pounds. Wrestlers will get another chance to make their case when Iowa hosts the Iowa City Duals on Friday at Carver-Hawkeye Arena, opening with Big Ten Conference foe Maryland at 11 a.m.

The Hawkeyes also will wrestle Grand Canyon (Ariz.) University, Iowa Central Community College and Cornell.

Logan Ryan (141), 157-pounder Edwin Cooper and Patrick Rhoads at 165 all saw action Saturday in Iowa's 18-16 win over Oklahoma State at Grapple on the Gridiron at Kinnick Stadium. All three were underdogs and none won.

'They have good potential that they can reach,” Iowa Coach Tom Brands said Wednesday during the team's weekly media gathering. 'We like them, but they are going to have to do it and they're going to have to grow up quick, because we're right back to a Big Ten dual on Friday.”

Cooper was an NCAA Division II finalist for Upper Iowa in 2014. He contended for a spot at 149 and 157 last season. He said he feels like he has taken a lead with his effort in the wrestling room, but has to transfer that into success in competition to maintain the job.

'I feel like I've done my work in the practice room,” Cooper said. 'I just need to perform better in high stakes levels, like last weekend out at Kinnick.”

Former Cedar Rapids Prairie prep Skyler St. John and red-shirt freshman Burke Paddock are listed at 157 and 165, respectively. Paddock went 5-2 in the 174-pound bracket of the Harold Nichols Open on Sunday in Ames, placing fifth.

'He will be at 165,” Brands said of Paddock. 'He will get the Maryland match this week with a one-hour weigh-in and we'll see how he looks.”

Paddock is excited to wrestle in a home dual. He will try to make the most of his opportunity.

'It's going to be cool to go out and wrestle in Carver (and) in front of all the fans,” Paddock said. 'It's going to be cool to put on that black-and-gold singlet.”

Paddock said he will continue to work his hardest and trust Brands' decision. The best impression is a dominant performance, making the choice extremely clear for his coach.

'Not just this dual,” Paddock said. 'If I just go out there every match and do what I've been training to do then hopefully I will get the spot.”

Brands said Rhoads didn't lose any ground in a loss to the Cowboys' top-ranked Alex Dieringer, but didn't give himself much of a chance to shine in that bout. High expectations have accompanied Paddock, who went 13-3 unattached last season.

'We like both our guys' potential there,” Brands said. 'We have to grow up maturity-wise with one guy and we have to grow up with consistency in the practice room with the other guy. That's just how you get better and everybody needs to.”

The spot at 141 is wide open. Brands said Topher Carton and NCAA qualifier Brody Grothus are possibilities to wrestle there. Before the season began, Brands said Grothus, who has competed at 149 in the past, would return from injury in late December or early January and could step in anywhere from 141-157.

Ryan fell by 7-1 decision to Oklahoma State's top-ranked Dean Heil in his dual debut after placing second in the Grand View Open the previous weekend. He is the only one mentioned as a probable starter at 141.

'I don't think he was that overmatched,” Brands said. 'The score was a little lopsided. I don't know if he was wrestling to save us a bonus point or not. He got his wrist rode a lot. We have to iron that position out.”

MARYLAND JOINS IC DUALS

Maryland is making its first trip to Iowa City and will wrestle Iowa for the first time as a Big Ten member. The Terrapins joined the conference last season.

'Fans were complaining that our Iowa City Duals weren't maybe as tough as they wanted them,” Iowa Coach Tom Brands said, 'so now we have a Big Ten opponent.”

The season has begun with tougher competition than recent years. It doesn't matter to the Hawkeyes.

'It doesn't change anything,” Iowa's second-ranked Thomas Gilman said. 'We're always getting ready for the best opponent. Every time we step on the mat we have to be ready because we're Iowa and everyone is going to give us their best shot.”

Iowa is 22-0 in this event that has including many teams with some type of Iowa or Hawkeye Wrestling Club tie. The tournament has benefitted the visiting teams, especially smaller or upstart programs, being able to boast the opportunity to compete in one of college wrestling's top venues.

'That is part of the reason why we do it,” Brands said. 'We used to put it on our shoulders to travel. It's getting tougher to travel now, especially later. This year we are going out to Montana and do something out there.

'It's good to promote on the road. It's getting tougher to do, so now we bring in these schools to wrestle us in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.”

Brands said the teams have liked their experiences in the event. These duals have included many of the same teams for multiple years and that might change in the future.

'We're getting a lot of people that want to come in,” Brands said. 'It could maybe get ramped up with those other schools that want to come in and maybe share that experience a little bit more, but we're loyal too. We're loyal to the people that helped us get this thing going in the first place.”

Iowa owns a 15-3 combined record against teams in this year's Iowa City Duals. The only team to beat the Hawkeyes is Cornell, which won the first three meetings in the series, beginning in 1930. The last was in 1933 and Iowa has won the last eight.

HAWKEYES CLIMB IN POLLS

The win over then-No. 1 Oklahoma State has propelled Iowa into second in the latest USA Today/National Wrestling Coaches Association Division I Coaches Poll released Tuesday.

The Hawkeyes received one first-place vote after their 18-16 win over the Cowboys. Penn State is first with 10 first-place votes. Michigan, who was passed by Iowa, remained third. Oklahoma State and Ohio State round out the top five.

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