Midlands Championships next up for Hawkeyes

IOWA CITY - The University of Iowa wrestling program is in the midst of a three-week break from competition.

When they resume action, the top-ranked Hawkeyes will compete in the 49th Annual Midlands Championships hosted by Northwestern University at Welsh-Ryan Arena in Evanston, Ill. The two-day tournament is Dec. 29-30.

The Hawkeyes have finals and will train through the break. Midlands will provide a good gauge for Iowa.

"We're going to find out a lot more where we're at in national terms, I think," University of Iowa Coach Tom Brands said about the Midlands following the Hawkeyes' 38-4 win over University of Northern Iowa. "I'm looking forward to the Midlands. I know our guys are, too."

Last year, the Hawkeyes stumbled at the Midlands, placing fourth without crowning an individual champion. Iowa rebounded, completing an unbeaten dual season and finishing second at the Big Ten Championships and third at the NCAAs.

They want to avoid that scenario this time.

"We had a huge letdown there last year," University of Iowa Coach Tom Brands said about the Midlands following the Hawkeyes' 38-4 win over University of Northern Iowa. "We got it ironed out, but we don't want to have to deal with let downs. We'd rather be bulletproof or approaching that."

The Hawkeyes win over the Panthers was their last competition before the classic open tournament. Iowa improved to 6-0, extending its unbeaten dual streak to 83 straight.

The Hawkeyes have faced deliberate strategy to slow matches down, and keep things close. Brands said he understands it, but he isn't fine with his wrestlers letting it happen to them.

"As a competitor, as a wrestler, there has to be so much awareness and I'm not just going to let that happen. I'm not going to let that happen to me as a wrestler," Brands said.

"If it does happen," Brands said before pausing and snapping his fingers, "make adjustments that quick."

Matt McDonough, a two-time NCAA finalist and 2010 national champion, echoed his coach's comments.

"Every night there's going to be something different that is common for an opposing team, but you have to recognize it and stop it right away before they even get a chance to do what they want," McDonough said. "You have to be on your shot, you have to be explosive and dominant."

The Midlands will lead into the meat of the Hawkeyes' schedule that includes another Big Ten dual at Indiana and home dual against No. 2 Oklahoma State the next week. It could also help determine Iowa's strongest squad, which Brands said may not have taken the mat yet.

"You could put the best in there, in what your opinion is, and I still think we haven't see our best lineup," Brands said. "I think we're closer."