STILLWATER, Okla. – The University of Iowa wrestling team fell to second-ranked Oklahoma State today, 18-12, at Gallagher-Iba Arena. The Cowboys won six of 10 matches to hand the fourth-ranked Hawkeyes their first dual loss of the season (12-1).
Iowa won four of the first five bouts to build a 12-3 lead before Oklahoma State rallied for five straight wins. The Cowboys needed a third-period takedown in four consecutive matches to earn one-point victories beginning at 165 through 197.
“Finishing was the difference today,” said head coach Tom Brands. “It was the difference between winning the matches and the meet.”
Matt McDonough (125), Tony Ramos (133) and Mark Ballweg (141) got the Hawkeyes rolling early with three straight decisions to build a 9-0 advantage. McDonough used four takedowns and 1:57 of riding time to earn a 10-4 win, Ramos’ takedown in the first period held up for a 3-2 win over No. 5 Jon Morrison, and Ballweg recorded a takedown in all three periods to top Keokuk, Iowa, native Julian Feikert, 8-3.
Oklahoma State cut Iowa’s lead to 9-3 when top-ranked Jordan Oliver (149) scored a 9-4 win over Michael Kelly, but Derek St. John (157) regained Iowa’s nine-point advantage with an 8-4 win over No. 9 Alex Dieringer. St. John, the nation’s top-rated 157-pounder, scored a takedown in the first period, escaped for a point in the second, and opened the third with two nearfall points to improve to 13-0 this season.
The Cowboys began chipping into the Iowa lead when No. 3 Tyler Caldwell scored a 3-2 decision over Nick Moore at 165. Oklahoma State’s top-ranked Chris Perry used 1:19 of riding time to top No. 6 Mike Evans, 4-3, at 174, and No. 12 Chris Chionuma scored a takedown with 1:13 left in the third to tie the dual, 12-12, and earn a 3-2 win over No. 9 Ethen Lofthouse.
Nathan Burak nearly scored an upset of No. 5 Blake Rosholt at 197 pounds, but the Hawkeye freshman was unable to finish his shots and Rosholt countered a crackdown with a chest lock and a takedown with 20 seconds on the clock. Burak escaped with three seconds left but Oklahoma State held on for the 3-2 win to grab its first lead of the dual, 15-12.
Iowa had a chance for the win or force a tiebreaker scenario at 285 pounds, but the Cowboys clinched the dual, 18-12, when third-ranked Alan Gelogaev topped No. 6 Bobby Telford, 7-3.
The Hawkeyes return to the mat Jan. 18 when they face No. 11 Michigan at Ann Arbor, Mich. The dual will begin at 6 p.m. (CT) inside Cliff Keen Arena.
Notes: Attendance was 5,537… McDonough extended his winning streak to 38 matches… Ramos’ victory was in his meeting against a ranked opponent this season… McDonough (10-0), Ramos (13-0) and St. John (13-0) remained undefeated this year… Evans’ loss was his first this season (9-1).
#4 IOWA 12, #2 Oklahoma State 18
125 – #1 Matt McDonough (IA) dec. Eddie Klimara (OSU), 10-4; 3-0
133 – #2 Tony Ramos (IA) dec. #5 Jon Morrison (OSU), 3-2; 6-0
141 – #9 Mark Ballweg (IA) dec. Julian Feikert (OSU), 8-3; 9-0
149 – #1 Jordan Oliver (OSU) dec. #19 Michael Kelly (IA), 9-4; 9-3
157 – #1 Derek St. John (IA) dec. #9 Alex Dieringer (OSU), 8-4; 12-3
165 – #3 Tyler Caldwell (OSU) dec. #19 Nick Moore (IA), 3-2; 12-6
174 – #1 Chris Perry (OSU) dec. Mike Evans (IA), 4-3; 12-9
184 – #12 Chris Chionuma (OSU) dec. #9 Ethen Lofthouse (IA), 3-2; 12-12
197 – #5 Blake Rosholt (OSU) dec. Nathan Burak (IA), 3-2; 12-15
285 – #3 Alan Gelogaev (OSU) dec. Bobby Telford (IA), 7-3; 12-18
