Big Ten Wrestling Finals: LIVE from my couch

FINALS

Hwt. Dan Erekson is up against Kyle Massey (WI)
No. 1 vs. No. 3 seed
No. 18 vs. No. 7

Erekson gets on top pretty early in the first quarter for two points in a takedown.
Erekson's going to keep Massey downa nd he's definitely gaining riding time on him.

Second period starts and Erekson takes the bottom. Escape Erekson - one point.
Erekson gets a takedown - 2 points.
I'd call this a day - Erekson is clearly dominating over Massey and Massey's not doing anything about it.

With the beginning of the third period, Erekson has a 6 point advantage including his over 2:00 in riding time. There's no way Massey can catch him in riding time now. Massey is still on the bottom. The only way he could pull this off is to somehow flip him on his back. But the control that Erekson's got....not likely.
Massey did just get an escape though. I don't think one point on the scoreboard's going to do it for him though.

Massey tried to shoot but nope, takedown Erekson.
Escape massey
Holy crap, Erekson's got him almost on his shoulders. But Massey pulls through and Erekson wins the bout 10-2.

184-pounder Phillip Keddy is up against Jake Herbert (Northwestern)
No. 3 vs. No. 1

Early on Herbert and Keddy both look like animals going after the takedown.
Two points for Herbert after a takedown.
Two more points for Herbert - takedown.
Keddy is struggling underneath. Herbert bodyslams Keddy. And Keddy jumps up on his feet.
Dang, Herbert is body-handling Keddy...but Keddy is still fighting.
End of first period and the sweat is just pouring from Keddy's face.

Seriously, Keddy looks like he just stepped out of the shower.
And he did, escape Keddy for one point.
I wonder how Herbert can even hold on to Keddy, he is seriously dripping.

Third period.
It would be huge if Keddy somehow got control of this guy and layed him on his back.
Herbert is bleeding. When I was in high school, a lot of times the breaks would come for the guys who were wusses and needed a break. Herbert pointed out the blood dripping. But I don't know that I'd still go as far to call him a wuss.
Escape Herbert.
OH Jeez. Keddy is trying to hold on. He's Holding on, holding on. And no points.
Announcers are saying Keddy's got a tank on his back. And he does.
Keddy goes for the takedown...He's got his leg...Herbert is now in a front hurdler position - which is a great cheerleading jump by the way.
Keddy has 30 seconds and he's down 5-1. Herbert's tired but Keddy's still going after him.
Keddy goes for the takedown but Herbert gets on top for 2 points.
And Herbert takes the victory - 8-1 with riding time.

So I had to go to a meeting at 3:00 for work. I DVRed the final two matches though - so here is live for me. Only this time, I'm in the recliner.

165-pounder Ryan Morningstar is up against Andrew Howe (WI)
No. 3 seed vs. No. 1 seed

Morningstar needs to shoot.
Wow entertaining first period...no points. Lame.

Morningstar's underneath so he should at least get an escape here.
ONE point Morningstar - Escape. At least he's got a one point advantage here. But to be considered a Big Ten Wrestling Champion he needs to do something here.
Howe's circling around him...but Morningstar pulls out.

Third Period.
I wonder what Morningstar is thinking right now. Howe just escaped for one so the two are tied.
Howe has Morningstar's leg but Morningstar keeps the other one out of reach and no points are scored. Tied at the end of the third and we're going into overtime. Morningstar has advantage but the two are back on their feet.
Morningstar is on top and needs to holdon because as of now Howe has the riding time advantage. Do not let your leg get caught or you are going to get a reversal.
Howe's out and has an escape.
Morningstar has eight seconds riding time advantage and he doesn't come out of it and then he lets it go. That was lame.
Morningstar loses to Howe in overtime, 2-1.

149-pounder Brent Metcalf is up against Bubba Jenkins (Penn)
No. 1 vs. No. 2
Both are undefeated this season.

I've got my box of chocolate chip cookies to get through this match.

Metcalf knocks Jenkins on his back and I think it's over...but they are out of bounds.
TWO points for Metcalf -takedown!
Jenkins does not look like he came here knowing who he was wrestling.
ONE point for Jenkins - Escape
There goes Jenkins doorag...who wears those during wrestling matches anyways?
HOLY CRAP...Metcalf has Jenkins on his back after a takedown...and he is just looking at the ref to slap the mat.
Lucky for JEnkins time on the clock runs out on the first quarter.
Metcalf is a stud.

ONE point escape for Metcalf.
It's 7-1 by the way.
TWO points for Metcalf - takedown
Metcalf shows no sign of being tired...Jenkins how ever is sprawled out flat underneath him.
Metcalf is like an animal...he's devouring this guy like he's his prey. HOLY SHIT!!!
That is a pin for Metcalf!


Iowa has four wrestlers in the final round of the Big Ten Wrestling Championship. As a team, Iowa leads with 124 points, with Illinois as the closest trailor at 104.5.

Going to the Finals are Brent Metcalf, Ryan Morningstar, Phillip Keddy and Dan Erekson.

Nine of Iowa's wrestlers advanced to the semifinals yesterday - only Ballweg at 157 didn't make it in.

Semifinal results:
125 — (3) Angel Escobedo (IN) dec. (2) Charlie Falck (I), 4-0
133 — (5) Reece Humphrey (OSU) dec. (1) Daniel Dennis (I), 5-2
141 — (2) Kyle Russell (M) dec. (3) Alex Tsirtsis (I), 8-6 TB
149 — (1) Brent Metcalf (I) major dec. (4) Kyle Rushcell (W), 16-4
165 — (3) Ryan Morningstar (I) dec. (2) Colt Sponseller (OSU), 2-1 TB2
174 — (3) Quentin Wright (PSU) dec. (2) Jay Borschel (I), 11-10
184 — (3) Phillip Keddy (I) dec. (2) Mike Pucillo (OSU), 5-2 TB
197 — (2) Tyrel Todd (M) major dec. (3) Chad Beatty (I), 12-2
HWT — (1) Dan Erekson (I) dec. (4) John Wise (IL), 6-4

To read about yesterday's sessions click here for The Daily Iowan coverage.