Iowa’s Patrick Rhoads moving forward

Patrick Rhoads took some steps forward.

The University of Iowa senior isn't content with those strides, and wants to continue the progress.

Rhoads is coming off a seventh-place finish at the Midlands Championships and is the only Hawkeye listed at 165 pounds for upcoming duals at Illinois and Northwestern. Second-ranked Iowa (8-0, 2-0 Big Ten) wrestles at No. 11 Illinois (8-1, 1-1) Friday at 7 p.m., and then returns to Northwestern (1-5, 0-1) for a 2 p.m. meet Sunday.

Rhoads went 4-2, moving his record to 6-5, and earned his first medal at the midseason classic.

'I didn't get the job done per se,' Rhoads said. 'The goal was not to place at Midlands. It is to win it and I didn't get that done, so I think there is a little left on the mat there. It's something I can build on for the future because it's something I haven't done before, but I'm not, by any means, satisfied.'

Iowa Coach Tom Brands recognized some improvement, but the achievement has to be kept in perspective. It was a two-day invitational that isn't the conference or national tournament. The performance is something to build on with two months remaining in his Hawkeye career.

'Good progress and that's what we need from all of our guys is to get better every day,' Brands said. 'The message that I give him is don't wait to keep making progress and speed it up a little bit because he is a senior. We need to upgrade at the weight class.'

Rhoads demonstrated some growth, pinning Buffalo's Tyler Rill in his final match. He beat Rill, 3-2, in his first Midlands bout. Rhoads said he wrestled at a higher pace, was more offensive and pressured his opponent more in the last win, which needs to be done every time.

'Toughness is probably equal to or is a synonym of consistency and that is where his biggest struggle has been,' Brands said. 'He seemed to be more consistent this tournament than in the past.'

'You see the real barometer was his Buffalo match where he wins by a point and then in the seventh/eighth-place match he is running away with that match and ended up getting the fall.'

Rhoads has split time with red-shirt freshman Burke Paddock as a starter. He admitted to being motivated by the competition with Paddock, pushing himself to get better.

'I just go out every day and focus on myself,' Rhoads said. 'I'm selfish right now, getting stuff that I need to get done and put myself in position to win matches and get on top of the podium in March.'

March will close his career in an Iowa singlet, posting a 31-14 career mark, so far. Rhoads, a two-time state champion with 171 wins at Staley High School in Kansas City, Mo., aspired to be a Hawkeye from an early age, starting in the sport when he was 5 years old. His uncles, Paul and Martin Sperry, wrestled at Oelwein High School.

'They wanted to throw me in it,' said Rhoads, a Cadet freestyle and Greco-Roman All-American. 'As a kid, I had a lot of energy. I played football, baseball and all that stuff. I was pretty short and stocky.

'I loved it, went with it and stuck with it. Here I am.'

The energetic youngster has a strong motor and a deep gas tank. He demonstrates edge in stamina, using it to battle back in matches or outlast opponents.

'It's something I've always been taught,' Rhoads said. 'You're never out of a match. You're down by one or down by (14), you can make something happen. You just have to go do it. You don't want to be in that situation, but you just have to know in your heart and mind you can do it.'

During his time at Iowa, Rhoads said he has improved his consistency in the room, working on his leg attacks and scoring to go with his defense. He has had the chance to learn from many teammates and coaches.

'In a program like this, it's everyone,' Rhoads said. 'We're all like-minded. You look at Brandon Sorensen, Sam Brooks, (Thomas) Gilman, (Cory) Clark, Tom and Terry (Brands). They are examples from when they wrestled. It's all about getting a lead and building your lead.'

Rhoads will face a tough task against Illinois' No. 7 Steven Rodrigues (13-1). He is excited for the challenge.

'It's another opportunity with a Big Ten opponent, another ranked opponent,' Rhoads said. 'It's another opportunity to solidify myself as the starter and a guy that can be ranked. This is the best time. Never wait. Why wait for later when you can do it now?'

The Hawkeyes will have second-ranked Clark back in the lineup at 133, according to Brands. Clark advanced to the semifinals at the Midlands, bowing out the second day by medical forfeit. Clark (11-0) could face Illinois' seventh-ranked Zane Richards (14-0).

'Cory Clark is good,' Brands said. 'He is going to be wrestling this weekend and that is not a surprise.

'He's doing well. It was more precautionary than anything.'

Brody Grothus also will be in action this weekend as well. Grothus, a 2014 NCAA qualifier at 149, is returning from injury and a drop to 141. He will make his debut at the Pat Flanagan Open in Dubuque.

'He could go this weekend in our dual meets,' Brands said. 'I think the smart thing to do is to break him in like this in the early season for him, which it is, and we'll keep going there. He looks good in the room.'

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