Veterans lead the way for Hawkeyes

IOWA CITY — The University of Iowa returns a strong core from last season.

Established veterans, like Thomas Gilman, Cory Clark, Brandon Sorensen and Nathan Burak were All-Americans and along with Sam Brooks helped the Hawkeyes earn a share of the Big Ten championship and a runner-up finish at the national tournament.

Iowa's overall success will rely on the fresh faces, stepping into starting spots.

The Hawkeyes will have to replace half of their lineup from last season, meshing the accomplished with those ready to make a name for themselves. Iowa opens the season ranked fourth in the USA Today/NWCA NCAA Division I coaches poll with six ranked wrestlers.

'The four All-Americans are great leaders,' Brooks said at the team's annual media day Thursday at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. 'We have new guys who are hungry. Everybody is working toward the same goal whether they are coming back or are new.'

The new-look Hawkeyes have a new feel to them from a year ago. They seem to be on the same page, pushing and pulling for each other.

'We have more camaraderie,' Gilman said. 'We have more (cohesiveness). We're closer as a team. I think that is going to work in our benefit.'

Clark, a two-time All-American, reached the 133-pound NCAA finals last season, posting a 30-6 mark. Gilman, who reached the national semifinals, placed fourth. They helped lead the way at nationals the first time they both were in the lineup. They were focused during the off-season.

Clark said he is ready for the season.

'I did a lot of thinking about what I need to do differently than last year to get ready for the next season,' Clark said. 'A lot of it was what I did in the off-season and being ready from the beginning of the year and not taking half the year to get where I want to be.'

Gilman stepped away from competition, but continued to train without having to make weight, the stress of competition or worries of peaking. The focus was to work on increasing his pace to where the competition, especially those who bested him at the end of the year, couldn't match.

'I need to get on those guys,' Gilman said. 'I need to go on their legs and pick up the pace to the point where they can't even hang on. I have to wrestle seven minutes at a pace that hasn't been seen out of me yet.'

Now, Clark and Gilman are paving a path while helping raise the level of younger teammates.

'More by example,' Gilman said. 'I do the right things. I know I'm working hard, so I know these guys look up to me for that. As long as I do what I need to be doing, then I'm being a leader.

'Benjamin Franklin always said take care of everyone else but take care of yourself first. That's how I view leadership.'

Clark shares the same attitude, but said Gilman has filled the role of vocal leader, which isn't a surprise.

'Gilman gets on guys a little bit sometimes,' Clark said. 'He's not afraid to say something to someone.'

Gilman didn't shy away from challenging some of those looking to provide answers at uncertain weights like 141, 157 and 165. He hasn't seen anyone stand to the forefront.

'Not yet,' Gilman said. 'That should be encouragement for them. They need to step up and stand out.'

Brands said contenders at 141 will wrestle soon and usually competition will help form the order. He mentioned wrestlers like Topher Carton, Logan Ryan and freshman Vince Turk.

'We're looking for someone to emerge, and this guy right here that you're looking at has been looking for someone to emerge throughout the fall,' Brands said. 'That hasn't really happened, and we need someone — and we'll see. When the lights are on, maybe guys are better in the competition arena.'

To an extent, the same thing applies for 157 and 165. Edwin Cooper, a former NCAA Division II runner-up for Upper Iowa, is listed at 157. Burke Paddock seems promising at 165. Patrick Rhoads is among those listed at both weights.

'When I say I feel good about our guys, I mean, those guys are — those weight classes are — I feel good about them, but you want someone to emerge and be the world beater,' Brands said. 'We like world beaters, and we have some ways to go before those guys prove that they're world beaters.'

Junior Alex Meyer is expected to step in at 174, while Sam Stoll takes over at heavyweight, replacing multiple NCAA medalists Mike Evans and Bobby Telford, respectively.

'He had some big wins, some big falls,' Gilman said of Meyer. 'Some of the guys that Evans lost to last year, Meyer beat. I have no doubt Meyer is going to step up and really be there for us.

'I think he is in a good position to prove himself,' Gilman said of Stoll. 'Especially this first match against Oklahoma State. He has a tough guy, but he's a tough guy too. He's big, strong and a world-bronze medalist. We know he has the skills. We know he can do it, but you have to go out there and do it.'

Brandon Sorensen finished fourth last season. He worked hard on his wrestling from underneath and an increase in offense in the off-season, trying to take a step forward.

'That's not where I wanted to be last year,' Sorensen said. 'I wanted to be on top of the podium. I know that's not where the team wanted to be. That's what we're working for to be on top.'

Nothing has changed as Iowa will battle top-ranked Oklahoma State to open the season. The Hawkeyes will face the usual challenges in the tough Big Ten, including Penn State, Ohio State and Michigan.

'We're after winning a national title,' Brands said, 'and we're after winning individual titles, and those goals have been good in the past, and the same usual suspects are good this year, as well.'

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