Iowa earns runner-up finish at inaugural National Duals Invitational

TULSA, Okla. – University of Iowa suffered a rough start and never recovered.

Ohio State started on fire, fanned the flames by winning the first five matches and closed its white-hot performance at the National Duals Invitational sponsored by Paycom.

The fourth-ranked Buckeyes defeated No. 3 Iowa to capture the event’s first team championship. Ohio State received $200,000 of the record $1,000,000 total purse. The Hawkeyes earned $150,000 by placing second in the 16-team field.

Ohio State’s Nic Bouzakis set the tone in the first bout, cinching up a cradle and pinning Dean Peterson in 1:36. Teammate Ben Devino (133) followed with a 10-4 upset of NCAA finalist Drake Ayala. The Buckeyes’ two-time national champion Jesse Mendez added a technical fall at 141. Ethan Stiles (149) and Brandon Cannon (157) won by decision and major decision, building a 21-0 lead at the midway point.

Iowa first takedown came in sudden victory at 165. Michael Caliendo finished a shot in overtime for a 4-1 win over Paddy Gallagher, getting the Hawkeyes on the board.

Second-ranked Patrick Kennedy posted a similar resulting, converting a leg attack for a takedown and 4-1 sudden-victory decision over Carson Kharchla at 174.

Ohio State (5-0) beat No. 2 Nebraska, 33-3, in the semifinals and No. 9 Minnesota, 29-6, in the quarterfinals.

The Hawkeyes (4-1) followed dominant wins over Missouri and Illinois on Saturday with an 18-16 victory over rival No. 5 Oklahoma State. Iowa won the final three contested bouts, which were all ranked matchups.

Kennedy sparked the stretch at 174, recording a takedown in sudden victory for a 4-1 decision over Alex Facundo. No. 3 Angelo Ferrari topped No. 4 Zack Ryder, 4-2, at 184.

Former Wartburg NCAA Division III champion Massoma Endene sealed the semifinal win with a 4-3 decision over No. 10 Cody Merrill. No. 16 Endene trailed 2-0 after two periods, scoring an escape and takedown in the third period.

“It is always a good time to wrestle Oklahoma State,” Iowa Coach Tom Brands. “In Iowa, in Oklahoma, anywhere. Spirited. Every point counted. Mo Endene went and got one.”

Iowa won six matches, receiving upsets from Peterson (125) and 149-pounder Ryder Block. Peterson, a transfer from Rutgers who is ranked 10th, opened the dual with 5-4 victory over No. 2 Troy Spratley.

“I don’t think I’ve ever really been a part of such a crazy dual experience. I don’t know how to explain it because it’s so exciting. The fans are amazing, too. You hear them booing and cheering and doing all that.”

Peterson secured a late takedown for the difference.

“We got to the edge,” Peterson said. “I knew there was short time. He kind of stopped wrestling a little bit. I felt it. I tried to work my way in. With my speed, I was able to get behind him.”

Block defeated No. 3 Casey Swiderski, a transfer from Iowa State, 5-3. Drake Ayala (133) also won at 133 for the Hawkeyes.

University of Northern Iowa also competed in the inaugural dual championship. The Panthers did not place in the top eight of the 16-team field. UNI went 1-2 overall, beating Cornell University, 26-8, and falling to No. 7 North Carolina State (27-8) and Minnesota (22-16).

AT TULSA, OKLA.

Ohio State 27, Iowa 12

125 pounds - Nic Bouzakis (Ohio St.) pinned Dean Peterson, 1:36; 133 - Ben Davino (Ohio St.) dec. Drake Ayala, 10-4; 141 - Jesse Mendez (Ohio St.) tech. fall Nasir Bailey, 17-1; 149 - Ethan Stiles (Ohio St.) dec. Ryder Block, 3-2; 157 - Brandon Cannon (Ohio St.) major dec. Victor Voinovich III, 14-2; 165 - Michael Caliendo (I) dec. Paddy Gallagher, 4-1 SV1; 174 - Patrick Kennedy (I) dec. Carson Kharchla, 4-1 SV1; 184 - Angelo Ferrari (I) dec. Dylan Fishback, 4-1 SV1; 197 - Massoma Endene (I) dec. Seth Shumate, 8-3; Hwt. - Nick Feldman (Ohio St.) won by forfeit.

Iowa 18, Oklahoma State 16

125 - Peterson (I) dec. Troy Spratley, 5-4; 133 - Ayala (I) dec. Ronnie Ramirez, 7-4 SV1; 141 - Sergio Vega (Oklahoma St.) dec. Bailey, 3-0 SV1; 149 - Block (I) dec. Casey Swiderski, 5-3; 157 - Landon Robideau (Oklahoma St.) major dec. Voinovich, 16-5; 165 - LaDarion Lockett (Oklahoma St.) dec. Caliendo, 7-3; 174 - Kennedy (I) dec. Alex Facundo, 4-1 SV1; 184 - Ferrari (I) dec. Zack Ryder, 4-2; 197 - Endene (I) dec. Cody Merrill, 4-3; Hwt. - Konnor Doucet (Oklahoma St.) won by forfeit.

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