Iowa's Phil Laux earns first win, helping trounce Wisconsin

IOWA CITY — The winding college wrestling road for Phil Laux began at the University of Wisconsin.

His time as a Badger was short-lived, transferring to the University of Iowa and competing for the first time during the 2013-14 season.

So, the scenario could have been so much different had he stayed in Madison, Wis., or even following through with plans to leave for Northwestern. Instead, he remained a Hawkeye in the city where he won two state titles as a prep.

'I'm here,' said Laux, who wrestled for Iowa City West and Pekin as a prep. 'This is now. This is the moment. This is where God has me. I'm moving forward. I'm not thinking about the past. These are my brothers and my teammates.'

He is happy to be here and they are happy to have him. Interestingly, Laux recorded his first dual victory against the program he first chose. Laux posted a 6-2 decision over Eli Stickley, helping third-ranked Iowa dominate No. 16 Wisconsin, 33-8, Friday night at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

'A win is a win,' Laux said. 'It was good, but not the way I wanted to win. Have to score takedowns. Got to convert leg attacks. Can't get out on bottom. A lot to improve on but a step moving forward.'

Laux fell into an early hole, surrendering the first takedown. He wasted little time getting a reversal and turning Stickley for four nearfall at the end of the first and all the points he needed.

'Big win for Phil Laux,' Iowa Coach Tom Brands said. 'You talk about feeling proud and that might sound corny or whatever, but kudos to Phil Laux. He's got a year left, too.'

Laux has received spot duty, starting in his sixth dual Friday and his fourth this season. He has relieved two-time NCAA finalist and three-time All-American Cory Clark. Success is critical to build on, according to Brands.

'The opportunity he's had this year because of Clark, he's seized it,' Brands said. 'He hasn't wasted his time or just gone out there, some guys maybe dink around a little bit, but he's been serious about it. He's going to factor into our future.'

Clark missed his second straight meet after being out of the lineup for a month earlier this year due to a shoulder injury. Brands said Clark will return for Sunday's dual at No. 13 Minnesota.

'There's no story to it,' Brands said about Clark's status. 'It's about being smart. It's about the mileage on a fifth-year senior and being really, really smart.'

The win by Laux closed the first half of the dual, giving the Hawkeyes a 16-5 lead. Topher Carton added to it with a much-needed victory at 141.

Carton snapped a three-match skid with a 9-1 major decision over Cole Martin, who is ranked as high as 16th nationally.

'It's always nice to get that bonus point,' Carton said. 'That is kind of the style that we wrestle. Always trying to push the pace.'

Carton controlled the action, scoring takedowns in the first two periods. The way he closed was better than recent matches, riding Martin the entire third and turning him for two nearfall, forcing a penalty point for stalling and racking up 3:10 in riding time.

'I felt him starting to crack a little bit in the second period when I got that takedown,' Carton said. 'His head kind of went down a little bit. I knew I was going to have an opportunity to get that turn. Just tough riding and tough wrestling in all positions.'

Brands said Carton continued to be offensive and didn't abandon attacks later in the match. He said Carton wrestled the entire seven minutes.

'He finished the match,' said Brands, noting there were instances the Hawkeyes earned some praise. 'Give yourself some credit, finishing that match and getting bonus points.'

In addition to Clark, Iowa was without freshman heavyweight Steven Holloway. Brands made the decision to sit him, instead of sending him out against No. 2 Connor Medbery, who scored a technical fall over Faraan Brantley.

'It was good for him to sit there and see some of those things that were exposed, where you know what, that's what you look like out there,' Brands said. 'Maybe it's time to put that to rest and grow up a little bit in those positions.'

Iowa also received bonus points in five matches. Sam Brooks (184) opened with a pin, building a 10-2 lead before decking Hunter Ritter in 4:54. Freshman 157-pounder Michael Kemerer added a pin in 55 seconds over Jared Scharenbrock.

Top-ranked Thomas Gilman (125) and Alex Meyer (174) added major decisions for Iowa.

'There were some bonus points and we needed bonus points,' Brands said. 'You're not wrestling Clark and you're not wrestling our heavyweight, so it's one match at a time, we'll take all the points we can get.'

AT CARVER-HAWKEYE ARENA

Iowa 33, Wisconsin 8

(Individual takedowns in parentheses)

184 pounds — Sam Brooks (I) pinned Hunter Ritter, 4:54 (3,0); 197 — Cash Wilcke (I) dec. Mason Reinhardt, 3-1 (1,0); Hwt. — Connor Medbery (W) tech. fall Faraan Brantley, 18-1 (3,0); 125 — Thomas Gilman (I) major dec. Jens Lantz, 21-8 (9,0); 133 — Phil Laux (I) dec. Eli Stickley, 6-2 (0,1); 141 — Topher Carton (I) major dec. Cole Martin, 9-1 (2,0); 149 — Brandon Sorensen (I) dec. Andrew Crone, 9-5 (3,1); 157 — Michael Kemerer (I) pinned Jared Scharenbrock,: 55 (2,0); 165 — Isaac Jordan (W) dec. Joey Gunther, 3-1 SV1 (1,0); 174 — Alex Meyer (I) major dec. Ryan Christensen, 11-3 (4,0).

MEET STATISTICS

Takedowns — Iowa 24, Wisconsin 6. Reversals — Iowa 2, Wisconsin 0. Escapes — Iowa 7, Wisconsin 20. Nearfall points — Iowa 10, Wisconsin 10. Penalty points (awarded) — Iowa 2, Wisconsin 2. Riding-time points — Iowa 4, Wisconsin 0. Total match points — Iowa 75, Wisconsin 44. Attendance — 8,431.

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