Iowa wrestlers get back into competitive routine

The University of Iowa did what was expected to start the season.

So, what did Hawkeyes Coach Tom Brands take away from the first official competition?

'The normal things,” Brands said at the team's weekly media availability Tuesday at the Dan Gable Wrestling Complex in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. 'You go to a tournament and you're supposed to win 10 weights and you win them.

'I think there were some things that were a little bit close there that don't want to have but we dug ourselves out of some holes, too.”

Iowa had little trouble, winning all 10 weights at the Luther Open on Saturday in Decorah. It was the second straight year the Hawkeyes have swept elite-division titles at the event.

The Hawkeyes will begin dual competition with the Iowa City Duals at CHA on Friday, hosting Cornell College, Iowa Central Community College and Baker (Mo.) University, which is an NAIA school.

Early action allows wrestlers to get back into a routine of competition, mentally and physically prepared for matches and getting their body fueled the right way with proper nutrition during the week. These first two weeks are a learning experience.

'As you go on and shake the rust off, because it's the first time you're competing, you start to get back into what feels good,” Brands said. 'You always make adjustments. I think every time out you make adjustments. Guys are usually good about getting ready to go, and when they're not, learn a lesson, make an adjustment and go forward from there.”

The Hawkeyes swept the top three spots at 149 with junior Brody Grothus earning decisions over teammates Brandon Sorensen (semifinals) and Edwin Cooper for the title. Iowa also had head-to-head matches for the 174 crown where Mike Evans topped Alex Meyer, 6-0. Iowa All-American Nathan Burak beat teammate Kris Klapprodt, 3-1, in overtime in the 197 finals.

Topher Carton was fifth at 141 and Logan Thomsen was third at 157, avenging a quarterfinal loss to teammate Pat Rhoads in their last match.

The tournament proved Iowan has depth and options at a few weights.

'We have some tough guys, but we might have to prove it more maybe,” Brands said. 'Three or four deep at every weight.”

BIGGER IS BETTER FOR KELLY

Mike Kelly made the sacrifice for the Hawkeyes two years ago, dropping down to 149 to try and help solidify the spot in the starting lineup.

He competed at the 2013 Big Ten Championships and shared time as the starter last year before Brody Grothus won the job. Kelly has bumped up and likes the effects.

'I wouldn't say it's better,” Kelly said. 'it's just different. I have more horsepower than maybe the previous years because I was sucking down there.

'Wrestling is wrestling,” Kelly said. 'At the end of the day, I have to represent myself to the best of my ability. I feel strong and energized at 157.”

Kelly won his second straight individual title at the Luther Open on Saturday, claiming the 157-pound crown. He won at 149 last year. He opened with two pins and added three straight decisions, scoring 11 points in two of those matches.

'I'm just focused on going out there, having fun, scoring points, building leads,” Kelly said. 'Scoring lots of points. That is what I want the focus of my year to be.

'if I'm scoring lots of points that means that is a lot of flurries, a lot of action going on and there's a lot of scrambles. That kind of wrestling favors me. That kind of wrestling is what my wrestling should look like.”

BROOKS STARTS STRONG

Keeping with the taking care of business theme, 10th-ranked sophomore Sammy Brooks rolled to the 184 title with three technical falls and a pin. He said there is plenty to work on despite the dominant performance, ending with an 18-3 championship win over Coe's Ryan Sheldon.

'It's always a process and you can always do better,” Brooks said. 'I'm going in the right direction that is for sure.”

Brooks is building his body to compete at a pace his opponents can't match or sustain for a seven-minute bout. The idea is to turn that into a bigger achievement in March.

'The goal is a national title,” Brooks said. 'If I go and win an individual national title then I think as a team we will go win a national team title.”

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