Iowa Wrestling Weekend That Was: Iowa men respond with strong showing against Nebraska

University of Iowa rebounded with a dual victory at Nebraska. Iowa State returned to Humboldt to cap 2-0 weekend. Coe, Luther competed at the American Rivers Conference duals and assorted high school results in the Wrestling Weekend That Was.

IOWA REBOUNDS BY HANDLING HUSKERS

The fourth-ranked Hawkeyes returned to the win column at No. 6 Nebraska on Friday, winning six matches and recording a 22-14 dual win. Iowa won its 16th straight dual against the Cornhuskers, who haven’t beaten Iowa under Coach Tom Brands.

The victory was No. 300 for Brands at Iowa. He is the second Hawkeyes head coach to reach the win plateau, joining legendary Dan Gable, who had 355 in 21 seasons. Brands is 300-31-1 during his 20 seasons at Iowa’s helm.

Iowa produced a much-needed palate-cleansing win after the Penn State loss. They wrestled with more intent, owning an 11-2 takedown advantage before the final two bouts. A mixed display of performances were on display. Ryder Block posted a pin over No. 12 Chance Lamer at 149 in a toss-up match that was close late.

Michael Caliendo displayed the firepower that fans have expected from the NCAA finalist. He tallied four takedowns in a 14-4 major decision over No. 7 L.J. Araujo at 165. Caliendo earned his 10th victory of the season. He is also winning at an 80-percent bonus rate. He recorded his second major decision to go with four technical falls and two pins. He has been a pillar in the lineup the last three seasons.

Gabe Arnold continued to show his versatility, beating for Big Ten Conference champion Silas Allred at 184, filling in for Angelo Ferrari.

Drake Ayala appeared more like his two-time NCAA finalist self, moving to 5-5 this season. After giving up the opening takedown, Ayala scored three takedowns and beat No. 8 Jacob Van Dee, 12-6. He displayed his ability to initiate leg attacks and finish. It was a positive performance from the three-time national qualifier.

Parick Kennedy gutted out a win at 174, while backup Joey Cruz wrestled at 125 and won. There were some positives to build on and a much better showing than the previous week. The schedule remains challenging with No. 9 Minnesota coming to Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Friday. Iowa is 9-3 overall and 2-1 in the Big Ten.

Speaking of Penn State, it shut out Indiana (48-0) on Friday and Maryland (51-0) on Saturday. The Nittany Lions are 11-0 overall and 5-0 in the Big Ten. They own a 49-1 match record in those conference duals.

DRESSER SURPASSES 100 DUAL WINS, RETURNS HOME TO HUMBOLDT

Iowa State Coach Kevin Dresser experienced a notable weekend. He became the fourth Cyclones had coach to reach 100 victories with a 42-0 win over Northern Colorado Friday at Hilton Coliseum in Ames. Dresser joins Dr. Harold Nichols (454 wins), Bobby Douglas (198) and Hugo Otopalik (159) as the only Iowa State coaches to reach the century mark.

Iowa State (8-1, 4-0 Big 12) produced his 101st win Sunday, thumping South Dakota State, 42-7, in a dual at Humboldt High School. It was the fifth time Dresser has brought the Cyclones to his alma mater. In previous visits, Iowa State has faced Purdue, which is coached by former Humboldt two-time state champion and Hawkeye Tony Ersland, Wisconsin, Grand View and North Dakota State. Dresser was a two-time state champion for Humboldt, claiming a Class 2A 126-pound title in 1980 and 132 in 1981 before becoming an NCAA champion at Iowa.

LUTHER’S MITCHELL, MCDONOUGH HIT WINS PLATEAU

Luther Coach Dave Mitchell secured his 350th career dual victory after the Norse’s 44-6 triumph over Simpson on Saturday, capping a 2-2 performance at the American Rivers Conference Duals hosted by Nebraska Wesleyan in Lincoln, Neb.

Mitchell, in his 30 th season leading Luther, is 350-185-6 overall, including a 10-7 mark this season. The Norse are ranked No. 12 in the National Wrestling Coaches Association NCAA Division III dual poll.

Luther’s seventh-ranked 174-pounder Bryce McDonough captured his 100th career victory, pinning Coe’s Dax Clatt to reach the notable mark. McDonough, of Central Springs High School, is 21-6 this season and has 102 career wins.

COE GOES 3-1 AT A-R-C DUALS

The seventh-ranked Kohawks went 3-1 at the A-R-C Duals on Saturday at Lincoln, Neb. Coe dropped Simpson (48-3), Luther (29-16) and host NWU (49-6) and had a hard-fought 22-16 loss to No. 5 Loras.

Ty Koedam led the Kohawks, going 4-0 with two pins and a technical fall at 149. Dresden Grimm (141) was 3-0. Brayden Parke (125), Zachary Montez (157), 165-pounder Bo Koedam, Jean Ngoma at 215 and heavyweight Wyatt Smith each went 3-1 on Saturday.

LINN-MAR PLACES 2ND AT CLINTON

The Lions finished runner-up to Class 3A power Southeast Polk at the Bob Lueders Invitational on Saturday at Clinton. The Rams won with 322 1/2 points and Linn-Mar was second with 217. Iowa City West and Davenport Assumption tied for third with 209.

Barrett Mieras (175) was the Lions’ lone champion and was joined in the finals by teammates Kylan Walsh (113) and Tegan Ray (138), who were runners-up. Linn-Mar had six finish in the top three and 11 total placewinners.

West crowned three champions. Diego Robertty pinned his way through the 113 bracket, wrestling a total of 2:29. He is now 26-1 for the Trojans. West state champion and three-time state finalist Alexander Pierce remained unbeaten, winning the 126 title. He had a pin and two technical falls, improving to 35-0. Kaden Stitt (29-5) won at heavyweight, while Hugo Hughes was second at 120.

WEST BRANCH WINS JOHN BYERS

West Branch won the team title at the John Byers Invitational on Saturday at Midland High School in Wyoming. The Bears scored 268 1/2 points with nine finalists.

Elliot Montgomery (106), Ethan Humphrey (113), Teague Thomas (120), Liam Exline (126), Gabe Depoorter (132), 144-pounder Cash Hatfield and Keaton and Cooper Gates at 150 and 165, respectively, all won titles for West Branch.

ALBURNETT WINS HOME DUAL TOURNAMENT

The Pirates went 4-0 Saturday to win the Alburnett Duals. Alburnett beat Burlington-Notre Dame (43-30), Iowa Valley (66-12) and Dike-New Hartford (74-6). The Pirates added a 58-21 win over Fennimore (Wis.) in the fourth round.

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