COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Iowa State wrestling team (9-5 overall, 1-2 Big 12) stayed alive at the 2014 NWCA National Duals with a dominant 36-9 victory over Hofstra (6-9 overall, 4-2 EWIA) Sunday evening.
The Cyclones won seven of the 10 bouts, powered by four straight pins from 165-197 pounds. The four consecutive pins were the first in a dual for Iowa State vs. a Division I opponent since Dec. 12, 1977 when it blanked Nebraska, 51-0.
No. 10 Michael Moreno got the Cyclones pinning spree started in dramatic fashion. Moreno was tied 3-3 with No. 15 Joe Booth late in the first sudden victory period when he put the Hofstra grappler on his back with an over-under lateral drop for the fall in 7:56.
The Urbandale, Iowa, native is now 23-6 overall on the season and leads the 2013-14 Cyclones in wins.
No. 8 Tanner Weatherman followed suit with another dramatic win by fall. The Huxley, Iowa, native was put in an early 4-0 hole by Hofstra’s Frank Affronti after getting caught on his back in the first period.
Weatherman put on a takedown clinic in the third period to force the score to 8-7. With time dwindling in the final period, he was able to lock up a nearside cradle and get the fall with 14 seconds remaining in the match.
Boaz Beard and No. 1 Kyven Gadson then posted back-to-back pins at 184 and 197 pounds to give the Cyclones four straight pins.
The last time Iowa State had four pins in a dual was Jan. 9, 2010 in a 38-7 win over Bloomsburg, head coach Kevin Jackson’s first season at the helm.
The wins pushed Beard to 12-3 overall and Gadson to 21-2 overall on the year. Gadson, who is 13-0 in duals this season, has now won 28-straight dual matches. His seven falls lead the team.
Earl Hall and Quean Smith each avenged losses from the Southern Scuffle back on Jan. 1-2 in Chattanooga, Tenn. Hall downed No. 17 Jamie Franco 7-3, and Smith picked up a 7-3 decision over Mike Hughes with 1:34 riding time.
Iowa State continues action tomorrow at 10 a.m. CT in St. John Arena. The Cyclones will face the loser of a quarterfinal matchup tonight between No. 10 Oklahoma and Central Michigan.
Match-By-Match Results:
125: Earl Hall (ISU) dec. No. 17 Jamie Franco (Hofstra), 7-3
133: Shayden Terukina (ISU) won by forfeit
141: Luke Vaith (Hofstra) dec. Gabe Moreno (ISU), 5-1
149: Cody Ruggirello (Hofstra) dec. Luke Goettl (ISU), 9-2
157: Jahlani Callender (Hofstra) dec. John Nicholson (ISU), 3-2
165: No. 10 Michael Moreno (ISU) wbf over No. 15 Joe Booth (Hofstra), 7:56
174: No. 8 Tanner Weatherman (ISU) wbf over Frank Affronti (Hofstra), 6:46
184: Boaz Beard (ISU) wbf over Victor Pozsonyi (Hofstra), 3:41
197: No. 1 Kyven Gadson (ISU) wbf over Zeal McGrew (Hofstra), 1:28
285: Quean Smith (ISU) dec. Michael Hughes, 7-4 (1:34 RT)
