Iowa rides tough, closes strong to thump Iowa State

AMES — The final two minutes of the opening match told the tale, set the tone or whatever sports cliche you want to insert.

In a battle between All-Americans, Iowa's Cory Clark overcame an early deficit and turned Earl Hall to his back twice in the third period and earned a riding time point for the victory.

Tough rides and strong finishes powered the second-ranked Hawkeyes to a 33-6 victory over No. 17 Iowa State in front of 5,612 fans Sunday at Hilton Coliseum. Iowa won eight of 10 matches for its 12th straight victory in the CyHawk Series, improving to 64-16-2 all-time.

Numbers paint a clear picture. Iowa (6-0) racked up six riding time points with the other two wins ending in a disqualification and a second-period fall by heavyweight Sam Stoll. The Hawkeyes owned a 14-0 advantage in nearfall points and outscored the Cyclones to the tune of 51-16 in the third period, despite surrendering the first takedown in five matches.

'It says we're strong in the third period and I'd like to probably have the other stat in the first period,' Iowa Coach Tom Brands said. 'We've got to be able to do that in the first period. Then it's really lopsided.'

Clark's last stanza was indicative of the Hawkeyes performance. The returning national runner-up put Hall on his back for four points and then powered him over for two more before locking up 1:48 for another point and 9-2 win.

'You can look at that one of two ways,' Brands said. 'Our guy can wrestle in all positions. We have to get going, but it shows he has a dimension in his wrestling that is dangerous and gives opponents pause.'

Hall, who placed eighth in 2014, scored the opening takedown for a 2-0 lead before Clark's two escapes tied it early in the second. Hall showed some indecision and chose down, going against the suggestions of Iowa State Coach Kevin Jackson.

'Give yourself a chance to win,' Jackson said. 'On your feet, we were winning the match. The kid didn't come close to getting a takedown. You can't give up riding time and get turned, four-point turns, and win against good people.'

Brandon Sorensen put Iowa ahead for good in the third match, handling Gabe Moreno 11-3 at 149. Again, Sorensen broke things open on top, sucking Moreno back for two nearfall for a 2-0 lead in the second. He has capitalized on that earlier this season as well.

'I've done it before a little bit, but we've been working on it,' Sorensen said. 'If the opportunity is there, I'm going to hit it.'

Iowa went the first eight periods — 19:36 — without a takedown until Sorensen exploded for three in the final period for the major and Iowa's 7-4 lead.

'He scored 11 points in four minutes of wrestling,' Brands said of Sorensen. 'You can talk about how slow it was in the first period or you can talk about how much more firepower he is leaving off the scoreboard just because you get a little bit more ready to go.'

Sorensen had 2:09 of Iowa's 14:57 total of riding time in the six matches it notched extra points. That is the equivalent of more than two whole matches. Fourth-ranked Alex Meyer amassed 3:30 of riding time in a 7-1 win over No. 13 Lelund Weatherspoon at 184.

'Good job,' Brands said of Meyer. 'I like how he was going hard at the end to get a major decision.

'You talk about riding. He took it out of him riding.'

Sam Brooks (184) and 197-pounder Nathan Burak exploded for bonus points. Brooks scored 22 points before Dane Pestano was disqualified for stalling. Burak matched the total with a 22-8 major decision over Duke Egli.

Brands said the third-period dominance can be applied from the opening whistle. He said he is greedy, wanting to own all three periods.

'A good philosophy there is that when a guy is done with the first period he feels like he went through an entire match,' Brands said. 'It doesn't happen by just going through the first period. You have to work hard. It's not easy to do. There is no shortcut to getting to guys in the first period.'

Iowa closed with five straight wins, receiving a 12-3 major decision from Thomas Gilman over Kyle Larson at 125.

Jackson was looking for more fight from the Cyclones. He addressed his team for an extended period of time after the dual.

'We found out what we know about Iowa,' Jackson said. 'They are going to come compete. They are going to come hand fight. They are going to ride hard. We prepared for their tactics and their approach for the last 10 days, and to see that connection not be made by pretty much the majority is just disappointing.'

The Cyclones (2-2) won two of the first five bouts, cutting the lead to 10-6 at the midway point when Tanner Weatherman defeated Patrick Rhoads, 10-9, at 165. Even in that victory, Weatherman had built a 9-4 lead before giving up two late takedowns.

Dante Rodriguez recorded a 6-2 decision over Logan Ryan at 141, tying the dual at three apiece.

The Cyclones won't dwell on the early-season loss. Weatherman said they have to maintain a positive mentality and trust they are doing the right things.

'That's a good team that just beat us,' Weatherman said. 'I don't think they're that much better than us. Again, just staying focused. It's only November. It only takes five matches in March to be on top so just staying focused honestly.'

AT AMES

(Hilton Coliseum)

Iowa 33, Iowa State 6

(Individual takedowns in parentheses)

133 pounds — Cory Clark (I) dec. Earl Hall, 9-2 (0,1); 141 — Dante Rodriguez (ISU) dec. Logan Ryan, 6-2 (2,0); 149 — Brandon Sorensen (I) major dec. Gabe Moreno, 11-3 (3,0); 157 — Edwin Cooper (I) dec. Renaldo Rodriguez-Spencer, 6-2 (0,1); 165 — Tanner Weatherman (ISU) dec. Patrick Rhoads, 10-9 (4,2); 174 — Alex Meyer (I) dec. Lelund Weatherspoon, 7-1 (2,0); 184 — Sammy Brooks (I) won by disqualification over Dane Pestano (8,1); 197 — Nathan Burak (I) major dec. Duke Egli, 22-8 (9,0); Hwt. — Sam Stoll (I) pinned Quean Smith, 3:30 (3,1); 125 — Thomas Gilman (I) major dec. Kyle Larson, 12-3 (5,0).

MEET STATISTICS

Takedowns — Iowa 32, Iowa State 10. Reversals — Iowa 1, Iowa State 0. Escapes — Iowa 17, Iowa State 26. Nearfall points — Iowa 14, Iowa State 0. Penalty points (awarded) — Iowa 9, Iowa State 0. Riding time — Iowa 6, Iowa State 0. Total match points — Iowa 112, Iowa State 46.

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