Metcalf falls short of medal at World Championships

LAS VEGAS, Nev. - The disappointment was noticeable, and it was an all too familiar feeling for Brent Metcalf.

Unfortunately, it means the Hawkeye Wrestling Club member will have to return to the drawing board to become the world's best.

Metcalf posted a 2-1 record at 143 pounds, but did not earn a medal Thursday at the 2015 World Wrestling Championships at the Orleans Arena. The four-time U.S. World Team member fell, 5-4, to Iran's top-ranked Seyedahmad Mohammadipahneh in the third round, and was eliminated when Mohammadi was pinned in the semifinals by Italy's Frank Chamizo.

'It's one of those things. You have the best guys in the world, the very best of the best,” said Metcalf, who competed in the 2010, 2013 and 2014 Worlds. 'They are stacking up against each other. If you want to be at the top of the heap, you have to be the best guy and I wasn't (Thursday).”

The medal drive stalled in the third round against the 2015 World champion. Metcalf trailed the entire match. Two passivity warnings put him on a shot clock and when he failed to score in the allotted 30 seconds, Mohammadi led 1-0. He added a takedown to go up 3-0 at the break.

Metcalf cut it to 3-2 with an explosive takedown. Mohammadi answered with a takedown for a 5-2 lead. Blood cleanup stopped the match with 10 seconds left and Metcalf made a last-ditch effort after the restart. He took down Mohammadi off the whistle and went for a turn with a leg lace. He lost the grip and time expired by the time he could try a gut wrench for two points.

Metcalf said he was able to put points up when he created angles and initiated tie-ups. Overall, Mohammadi was able to dictate the match.

'It was a very tough opponent,” Metcalf said. 'You cannot give head position. You cannot let him control the pace early.

'You lose to a good opponent and you have to put that on me to get better and figure it out.”

Metcalf's dominant and aggressive style produced multiple state titles, two NCAA titles for the University of Iowa, U.S. Open crowns and international gold. It was on display when he dominated Hungary's Norbert Lukacs, 11-0, with five takedowns.

He seemed to be a little more apprehensive against Mohammadi.

'You have to pull the trigger when you're out there,” said Mike Duroe, who was in Metcalf's corner along with Iowa coach Tom Brands. 'Both times where he made strong leg attacks he scored. Pretty easily, actually.”

Americans had to change from rooting against the Iranian to for him. If Mohammadi reached the finals, Metcalf would wrestle repechage for a possible bronze medal shot. Mohammadi's bid to return to the finals was thwarted when Chamizo erased a 2-0 deficit put him on his back for the fall.

'I'm nervous going into that match because I've worked out with that guy before and I've watched him a lot,” Metcalf said. 'He's very dangerous (and) very explosive.”

The second round included a grueling 5-3 win over China's Katai Yeerlanbieke. It was a tougher fight than his 8-0 win over Yeerlanbieke at the Grand Prix of Paris earlier this year. Metcalf fought off a late takedown in the final seconds by holding a tripod position with Yeerlanbieke behind him, keeping a 4-3 lead as time expired. He received another point when China's challenge was unsuccessful.

'That was a hard-fought match,” Duroe said. 'It was good he went through that. You had to work really hard. It really blew his lungs out. He had time to recover and was good.”

Metcalf had an opening takedown for a 2-0 lead, but suffered a head butt from a physical and strong foe. He stumbled off the mat with his legs appearing to wobble. Metcalf, who dismissed any lingering effects, seemed off-balance the remainder of the match, countering a takedown with a lift for two points at the end of the first.

Duroe said he trains the right way, doing everything asked of him by coaches. He added Metcalf will need to get better technically to turn the negative into a positive.

'I don't think this is going to deter him, but it is going to leave a bad taste in his mouth for a while,” Duroe said. 'Hopefully, he can use this to learn from and motivate him for future success.”

After the setback, focus turns to 2016 and qualifying for the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Iowa will host the U.S. Olympic Trials in April. He will have to get over the 'let down” and 'frustration” and give himself another chance.

'It's time to start over,” Metcalf said. 'Not start over from scratch, but the weight is not qualified so you have to get the weight qualified and then you have to get yourself qualified.”

The U.S. Women's Freestyle Team, directed by former Iowa wrestler, Terry Steiner, captured two medals. Helen Maroulis posted an 11-0 victory over Russia's Irina Ologonova at 121 pounds for the World title.

Former World champion Adeline Gray advanced to the 165-pound final, assuring a top-two finish.

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