Iowa State wrestling hopes to use Virginia Duals crown as springboard

AMES — Losing in dominating fashion to then-No. 6 Virginia Tech didn't sit well with the Iowa State wrestling team.

When the Cyclones saw the Hokies on the docket again, this time at the Virginia Duals, the opportunity to avenge that loss was something the 10-man team was ready to seize. Winning five matches, one with bonus points, in the Virginia Duals final helped Iowa State put the early-season loss completely out of mind.

'To come through with a victory in a dual at the Virginia Duals in a competition that (Virginia Tech) won the last seven years in a row was very rewarding for our guys,' said coach Kevin Jackson. 'So it should give quite a few of our guys a lot of confidence as we move forward.'

Two seniors helped springboard the Cyclones (7-2) to the Virginia Duals crown and will carry the team into its matchup with Arizona State in Tempe on Jan. 15. Earl Hall went 4-0 in Virginia with three decisions and a major, helping the 133-pounder to be named USA Wrestling's Athlete of the Week.

At 165 pounds, Tanner Weatherman also asserted himself and was 4-0 through the duals. Weatherman notched three bonus-point wins and was named the tournament's Outstanding Wrestler by the participating coaches. He scored a 4-1 win in the finals against David McFadden with riding time and continued the hot streak that Jackson began noticing at the Midlands.

'He's being a leader on and off the mat, he's talking to the guys at a higher level and he's communicating to the guys at a higher level,' Jackson said. 'We always knew he was capable, but what he's really done is his attack rate has gone through the roof. He's out attacking guys, probably, four or five to one in his matches. That's what is really making the difference.'

Iowa State has won five duals in a row — the last loss came at home against Iowa on Nov. 29 — and will have three duals on the road in less than two weeks. Trips to Oklahoma and Oklahoma State await the Cyclones, but a date with the Sun Devils is up first Friday.

Jackson said he saw his team bond rather strongly during its run to the Virginia Duals crown and likes where they're at heading into the Arizona State dual. He added the Sun Devils will match up rather well with the ISU lineup.

'They have a pretty good team and five guys in their lineup, probably, are going to be favored over five guys in our lineup,' Jackson said. 'So it's going to be an interesting competition and one we're going to be ready for. We need to continue to perform like we did at the Virginia Duals to be successful out in Phoenix.'

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