UI Athletics news release
IOWA CITY, Iowa — The fourth ranked University of Iowa wrestling team fell to No. 9 Minnesota, 23–16, on Friday night at Carver Hawkeye Arena on Mediacom Mat.
Iowa (9-4, 2-2) recorded 15 takedowns to Minnesota’s nine and held a 66–59 edge in match points, but the Gophers (9-4, 3-2) won six of the 10 bouts to secure the dual.
“They won six matches, we won four,” said Iowa head coach Tom Brands. “We had guys that didn’t think about how they were feeling, and they went out and wrestled and scored points. That was a common ingredient in the matches where we had bonus points. We had two matches where guys stopped wrestling before the clock was done. That cannot happen, that will not happen, and that’s not what we’re about. We have the guys in the room. I will maintain that and stay consistent on that.”
Minnesota opened the dual with bonus points at 125 pounds, as No. 10 Jore Volk earned an 8–0 major decision over Joey Cruz.
Iowa responded immediately at 133, where ninth ranked Drake Ayala used six takedowns to defeat Chris Cannon by technical fall, 21–6.
The Gophers regained momentum at 141 pounds, as No. 9 Vance VomBaur recorded a 10–1 major decision over No. 11 Nasir Bailey. Minnesota extended its lead at 149, with No. 24 Drew Roberts edging No. 16 Ryder Block, 4–2.
No. 21 Charlie Millard closed the first half with a 13–3 major decision over No. 12 Jordan Williams at 157 pounds, giving Minnesota a 15–5 lead at intermission.
Iowa answered with back-to-back major decisions out of the break. At 165, third ranked Michael Caliendo defeated No. 10 Andrew Sparks, 18–5, and at 174, No. 3 Patrick Kennedy earned a 12–3 major decision over No. 24 Ethan Riddle.
Gabe Arnold pushed No. 4 Max McEnelly into sudden victory at 184 pounds before surrendering a takedown with eight seconds remaining in the extra period, falling 4–1.
Minnesota clinched the dual at 197 pounds, as No. 30 Gavin Nelson defeated Harvey Ludington, 4–3.
Iowa closed the night with a ranked win at heavyweight, where No. 8 Ben Kueter topped No. 10 Koy Hopke, 5–2.
#9 Minnesota 21, #4 Iowa 16
125 – #10 Jore Volk (M) major dec. Joey Cruz (I), 8-0
133 – #9 Drake Ayala (I) tech fall. Chris Cannon (M), 21-6
141 – #9 Vance VomBaur (M) major dec. #11 Nasir Bailey (I), 10-1
149 – #24 Drew Roberts (M) dec. #16 Ryder Block (I), 4-2
157 – #21 Charlie Millard (M) major dec. #12 Jordan Williams (I), 13-3
165 – #3 Michael Caliendo (I) major dec. #10 Andrew Sparks (M), 18-5
174 – #3 Patrick Kennedy (I) major dec. #24 Ethan Riddle (M), 12-3
184 – #4 Max McEnelly (M) dec. Gabe Arnold (I), 4-1 SV1
197 – #30 Gavin Nelson (M) dec. Harvey Ludington (I), 4-3
285 – #8 Ben Kueter (I) dec. #10 Koy Hopke (M), 5-2
Officials: Nicholas Grosso, Frank Johnson Jr.
Attendance: 12,582