MES, Iowa – Minnesota (7-5, 5-4 Big Ten) defeated Iowa State (1-12, 1-5 Big 12), 40-7 Saturday afternoon in wrestling action in Hilton Coliseum.
Iowa State honored its 11 seniors in their final home match.
The Gophers raced out to a 24-0 lead at intermission by recording two pins and a technical fall in the first five matches. At 197 pounds, ISU’s Marcus Harrington scored an early takedown vs. Brett Pfarr, but Pfarr ended the match with a first-period pin at the 2:36 mark.
At 133 pounds, ISU’s Earl Hall suffered an early takedown, but countered with a reversal and four-point nearfall against UM’s Mitch McKee to take a first-period 6-2 lead. Hall later got back points from a reversal in the second period to go up 10-5 in the match. He was able to hang for a 16-9 victory.
Gabe Moreno picked up four points for the Cyclones at 149 pounds with an 8-0 major decision over Ben Brancale. Moreno recorded a takedown in each period and had 4:15 of riding time in the win.
Match of the Day – 133 pounds
Earl Hall went out in style in his final match in Hilton Coliseum. He was awarded back points on three occasions (4, 2, 2) in a 16-9 victory over Mitch McKee. Hall had two takedowns and two reversals in the win to improve his record to 20-8.
Next-Up
Iowa State will compete in the Big 12 Championships, March 4-5 at the Bok Center in Tulsa, Okla.
Iowa State vs. Minnesota Match-by-Mach
174: Chris Pfarr (UM) dec. Lelund Weatherspoon (ISU), 10-4; UM 3-0
184: Brandon Krone (UM) maj. dec. Carson Powell (ISU), 10-2; UM 7-0
197: Brett Pfarr (UM) pinned Marcus Harrington (ISU), 2:36; UM 13-0
285: Michael Kroells (UM) tech. fall Quean Smith (ISU), 18-2 (3:00); UM 18-0
125: Ethan Lizak (UM) pinned Kyle Larson (ISU), 4:42; UM 24-0
133: Earl Hall (ISU) dec. Mitch McKee (UM), 16-9: UM 24-3
141: Tommy Thorn (UM) pinned John Meeks (ISU), 1:56; UM 30-3
149: Gabe Moreno (ISU) maj. dec. Ben Brancale (UM), 8-0; UM 30-7
157: Jake Short (UM) maj. dec. Colston DiBlasi (ISU), 9-1; UM 34-7
165: Nick Wanzek (UM) pinned Logan Breitenbach (ISU), 3:18; UM 40-7
Final: Minnesota 40, Iowa State 7
Attendance: 2,105
