EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN – The third-ranked University of Iowa wrestling team swept 10 matches and scored bonus points in seven bouts to shutout Michigan State, 44-0, on Sunday at Jenison Field House.
Iowa recorded 37 takedowns and surrendered none to record its largest win in the series since a 51-5 win in 1986.
“I think our conditioning was evident today,” said UI head coach Tom Brands. “That’s good. That’s a badge of honor for our guys.”
Thomas Gilman opened the dual with a fall in 45 seconds, the fastest of his career, and Sam Stoll ended the day with a six-point win for stalling disqualification. Iowa’s heavyweight forced six stalling calls against Michigan State before the match was terminated with 1:24 left in the second period.
“I like Stoll’s match,” added Brands. “That’s a 1-0 type of wrestler that likes to keep it close and our pace was high. Every time he walks on the mat I always say I love Stoll because he can hand fight, his pace is high, and he scores.”
Gilman and Stoll bookended eight bouts that included three decisions, three technical falls, and a pair of major decisions.
Cory Clark piled up 4:48 of riding time to win 7-0 at 133. Joey Gunther held on for a 2-1 win at 165, topping No. 6 Drew Hughes to earn his first win over a ranked opponent, and Cash Wilcke scored a takedown in each period to win 8-4 at 184.
Iowa’s three technical falls came from three returning All-Americans. Brandon Sorensen scored seven takedowns and added four nearfall points to win, 20-5, and improved to 20-0 all-time in Big Ten duals. Alex Meyer (174) scored 15 points in the final one minute, 23 seconds to blow open a 7-3 match and win 22-7, and Sammy Brooks scored 12 points in the opening period to roll to an 18-3 win at 184. It was his second technical fall in as many matches.
Michael Kemerer improved to 18-0 with a 14-2 win at 157 and Topher Carton was his second straight match against a ranked opponent at 141. Carton used three takedowns, four nearfall points, and 3:05 of riding time to defeat No. 16 Javier Garcia, 12-2.
“Today was more along the lines of what we’re trying to put together,” said Carton. “The coaches have me believing that if I wrestle seven minutes hard and go to my offense with pressure, it makes it really hard on opponents and that’s when my wrestling is at its best.”
Iowa (7-0, 3-0) returns to the mat Sunday in Stillwater, Oklahoma. The Hawkeyes wrestle top-ranked Oklahoma State at 2 p.m. (CT). The dual is streamed live at FloWrestling.com and can be heard on KXIC and Hawkeye All-Access.
NOTES: Attendance was 619… the win was Iowa’s largest in the series since 1986 (51-5)… Iowa has shutout Michigan State in each of the last three duals… Iowa has won 20 straight Big Ten road duals, and 24 straight Big Ten duals overall… Joey Gunther earned his first career win over a ranked opponent…. Gilman’s fall was his team-high seventh of the season… Carton has two straight wins over ranked opponents… Sorensen improved to 20-0 all-time in Big Ten duals… Stoll improved to 11-0 all-time in Big Ten duals.
#3 Iowa 44, Michigan State 0
125 — #1 Thomas Gilman (IA) pinned Logan Griffin (MSU), 0:45; 6-0
133 — #1 Cory Clark (IA) dec. Austin Eicher (MSU), 7-0; 9-0
141 — #15 Topher Carton (IA) major dec. #16 Javier Garcia (MSU), 12-2; 13-0
149 — #2 Brandon Sorensen (IA) tech. fall Nick Trimble (MSU), 20-5; 18-0
157 — #2 Michael Kemerer (IA) major dec. Austin Thompson (MSU), 14-2; 22-0
165 — Joey Gunther (IA) dec. #15 Drew Hughes (MSU), 2-1; 25-0
174 — #13 Alex Meyer (IA) tech. fall Drew Barnes (MSU), 22-7; 30-0
184 — #6 Sammy Brooks (IA) tech. fall Wesley Maskill (MSU), 18-3; 35-0
197 — Cash Wilcke (IA) dec. Matt Okaiye (MSU), 8-4; 38-0
285 — #6 Sam Stoll (IA) won by disqualification Jacob Cooper (MSU), 44-0
Iowa (7-0, 3-0)
Michigan State (2-5, 0-3)
