The eighth-ranked University of Iowa wrestling team suffered a 24-9 defeat against No. 2 Ohio State Friday night at the Covelli Center. Despite an early lead, the Hawkeyes were overtaken by the Buckeyes in the second half of the dual.
Iowa’s Early Momentum
Iowa initially gained an advantage with wins from Victor Voinovich III, Michael Caliendo and Patrick Kennedy. Voinovich started the night with a 5-0 decision over Maddox Shaw at 157 pounds. Caliendo followed with an 8-2 decision against e’Than Birden at 165 pounds, and Kennedy secured a 4-1 win over No. 5 Carson Kharchla at 174 pounds.
Ohio State’s Comeback
Ohio State began to turn the tide with a 4-1 sudden victory win by No. 8 Dylan Fishback over Gabe Arnold at 184 pounds. No. 10 Luke Geog then secured a major decision, winning 13-4 against Brody Sampson at 197 pounds. Iowa entered intermission with a narrow 9-7 lead.
Following the break, Ohio State continued its momentum. No. 3 Nick Feldman edged Ben Kueter 3-2 at heavyweight, giving the Buckeyes their first team lead at 10-9. Wins by No. 2 Nic Bouzakis (9-5 over Dean Peterson at 125 pounds) and No. 2 Ben Davino (4-2 over Drake Ayala at 133 pounds) extended Ohio State’s lead.
The match was effectively decided at 141 pounds when top-ranked Jesse Mendez recorded a 21-3 technical fall over Kale Petersen, bringing the score to 21-9. Ethan Stiles closed out the dual with a 4-1 sudden victory over Ryder Block at 149 pounds.
Looking Ahead
Iowa’s loss brings their dual record to 9-5 overall and 2-3 in the Big Ten. Ohio State remains undefeated at 17-0 overall and 6-0 in conference play. Iowa will focus on refining their scoring and capitalizing on opportunities in upcoming matches. The team may also analyze areas where they were outmatched and adjust their strategies accordingly. Ohio State is likely to continue its strong performance, potentially remaining a top contender throughout the season.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score of the Iowa versus Ohio State wrestling dual?
The final score was Ohio State 24, Iowa 9.
Who won the first match of the dual?
Victor Voinovich III of Iowa won the first match with a 5-0 decision over Maddox Shaw of Ohio State.
What did Iowa head coach Tom Brands say after the match?
Tom Brands stated, “We’ve got opportunities we have to capitalize on. That is probably the biggest thing, where you’re looking to improve and that is capitalizing on opportunities to score.”
What factors might contribute to Iowa’s performance in future matches?
