Janssen makes bigger contribution, advances to NCAA tournament

EVANSTON, Ill. - University of Iowa's Aaron Janssen gestured to the crowd and raised his arms after concluding his last Big Ten tournament match.

The rare demonstration warranted.

Janssen placed third at 165 pounds at the Big Ten Wrestling Championships on Sunday at Northwestern's Welsh-Ryan Arena. The senior also earned his first trip to the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships next week in Philadelphia, securing an automatic bid by placing in the top five of his weight.

“It was exciting, knowing it was too close of a team race for us as a team and every point matters,” said Janssen, who improved to 25-7. “It's just getting over the excitement of Big Ten season and postseason honors. Everything's going, man. The adrenaline was flowing.”

He has come a long way from last season when he was helping the team warm up during the Big Ten tournament. He competed for a spot, but it was filled by Jake Kerr, who qualified at 157 last year. Janssen said he remained dedicated to his teammates helping them prepare but prefers directly contributing this season.

“To me it feels awesome actually knowing I'm part of it,” Janssen said. “Yeah, I was part of it last year, but not so much as integral part as I am now.

“I can't even explain it. I'm speechless. I'm pumped.”

Janssen wrestled above his No. 4 seed, losing only to Wisconsin's top-seeded and defending NCAA Champion Andrew Howe, 3-2 overtime tiebreaker, in the semifinals. The former Emmetsburg/Armstrong-Ringsted state champion battled his ways. He displayed his toughness with a pair of two-point wins, scoring takedowns in the third period to win.

Janssen was confident in his ability and conditioning. He notched two takedowns in the third period, the final one with 10 seconds left, to beat Minnesota's Cody Yohn, 4-2. It avenged an earlier loss and produced his post-match action.

“I always knew the third period was my time and period,” Janssen said. “I have a better gas tank than most people."