No. 9 Minnesota takes down No. 4 Iowa, 21-16, in Big Ten Conference wrestling dual

IOWA CITY – There were flashes of excitement, energy and fun.

Other moments were mundane and simply hard to watch.

Unfortunately for Iowa, the former did not outnumber the latter.

Ninth-ranked Minnesota won six matches, including three bonus-point victories in the first five, and upset No. 4 Iowa, 21-16, in a Big Ten Conference wrestling dual Friday night at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The Golden Gophers beat the Hawkeyes for the first time since Jan. 25, 2014.

“We had some performances where we had guys that did not think about how they were feeling,” Iowa Coach Tom Brands said. “They went out and wrestled and scored points. That was a common ingredient in the matches that we had bonus points and that has to permeate the team.”

First the good. Iowa received offensive outbursts from two-time NCAA finalist Drake Ayala at 133 pounds, national runner-up Michael Caliendo (165) and 174-pound All-American Patrick Kennedy. Heavyweight Ben Kueter capped the night with a top-10 triumph and even Gabe Arnold produced a strong effort, dropping a hard-fought 4-1 decision to fourth-ranked All-American Max McEnelly at 184.

“Take their temperature, figuratively (or) literally,” Brands said of Ayala and Caliendo in the media room. “It doesn’t matter how you feel. What matters is you go out there and you wrestle your match. We have more weight classes than four that can do that. Or two. We have to be able to do that job when we’re under duress, maybe.”

Effort was inconsistent. The Hawkeyes suffered a shutout, three major decision losses, two lower-ranked Minnesota wrestlers walk off victorious, including one with bonus points, and no takedowns in any of the setbacks.

“We had two matches where we had guys stop wrestling before the clock was done ticking,” Brands said. “That cannot happen. That will not happen. That is not what we are about.

“We have the guys in the room. I will maintain that. I will be consistent.”

Minnesota (9-4, 3-2) claimed four of the first five matches, building a 15-5 lead at the midway point. Ayala provided the lone bright spot before the intermission.

Ayala dominated Chris Cannon. He finished with six takedowns, including three in the final period, for a 21-6 technical fall. He continued to look more like “No-brake Drake,” reaching double-digits for the second straight match.

“I’ve just been going out there with the mindset of scoring points,” Ayala said. “I’ve always had that mindset. For some reason, the switch wasn’t quite on at the beginning of the year, obviously, but that’s my fault. I feel like I’m getting to my scores more now and I’m kind of getting in my groove. I’m excited for the next couple weeks.”

Iowa closed the gap after the break. Caliendo remained one of the team’s most reliable point scorers, beating No. 10 Andrew Sparks, 18-5. He was a whirling dervish of action, tallying five takedowns.

“I felt good,” Caliendo said. “I felt good on my feet. I was moving well. I was getting to my shots. I think I was doing everything I wanted to do except get that last takedown.”

Ayala, Caliendo and Kennedy scored more takedowns – 13 to 11 – than all the other wrestlers from both teams combined. Kennedy notched a takedown in the last 30 seconds for a 12-3 major over Ethan Riddle.

“Leaders led by example in this dual,” Caliendo said. “The best thing we can do is pick our guys up. I don’t think anyone is happy with their performance. Even with my own performance, I’m not necessarily satisfied with that. The best thing to do is pick them, hold their heads high. You’ve got to move forward and work on where we went wrong. Get ready for next week.”

Iowa was shorthanded without No. 6 Dean Peterson at 125 and No. 2 Angelo Ferrari at 184. Brands did not elaborate on when they might return to the lineup.

“We’re day to day and we’re working hard,” Brands said. “We have a great medical team.”

The Hawkeyes fell to 9-4 overall and 2-2 in the Big Ten with a date at No. 2 Ohio State looming next week. It’s the most duals lost since four in 2012.

“It hurts because that’s a direct reflection on me and my leadership,” Ayala said. “I think a lot of it gets put on Tom but I think that’s bull crap. It’s just as much my fault as it is his fault. I know Mikey feels the same way. Patrick feels the same way.

“It sucks. Like he said, we’ve got to have effort out there. We’ve got to put arm around each other and get each other going.”

AT IOWA CITY

Minnesota 21, Iowa 16

(Individual takedowns in parentheses)

125 pounds – Jore Volk (M) major dec. Joey Cruz, 8-0 (2,0); 133 – Drake Ayala (I) tech. fall Chris Cannon, 21-6 (6,0); 141 – Vance VomBaur (M) major dec. Nasir Bailey, 10-1 (2,0); 149 – Drew Roberts (M) dec. Ryder Block, 4-2 (1,0); 157 – Charlie Millard (M) major dec. Jordan Williams, 13-3 (2,0); 165– Michael Caliendo (I) major dec. Andrew Sparks, 18-5 (5,0); 174 – Patrick Kennedy (I) major dec. Ethan Riddle, 12-3 (3,0); 184 – Max McEnelly (M) dec. Gabe Arnold, 4-1 sudden victory (1,0); 197 – Gavin Nelson (M) dec. Harvey Ludington, 4-3 (1,0); 285 – Ben Kueter (I) dec. Koy Hopke, 5-2 (1,0).

MEET STATISTICS

Takedowns – Minnesota 9, Iowa 15. Reversals – Minnesota 1, Iowa 2. Escapes – Minnesota 22, Iowa 11. Nearfall points – Minnesota 4, Iowa 0. Penalty points (awarded) – Minnesota 2, Iowa 3. Riding-time points - Minnesota 2, Iowa 3. Total match points – Minnesota 59, Iowa 66. Officials – Frank Johnson Jr., Nicholas Grosso. Attendance – 12,582.

Comments: kj.pilcher@thegazette.com