Suspension

What's up with Montell Marion? Maybe he's under a lot of pressure and rage is his way of dealing with it. Or maybe he just finds himself in the wrong place at the wrong time. Either way, Brands doesn't deal with wrestlers getting into legal issues.

In case you hadn't heard - Marion (a redshirt freshman from Des Moines, who won two state champions) has been suspended from the wrestling team after being involved in vandalizing two cars. And it's not his first legal incident.

What are your thoughts? I mean, he is at 133 and clearly Daniel Dennis and Joey Slaton have that weight class under control.

Articles on the topic from:
Des Moines Register
Wrestling Talk
Press Citizen
The Gazette

Rework the Rankings

The following is how Iowa wrestling beat reporter Ryan Young would rank the team - both physically and mentally. When I saw this comment, I contemplated commenting also - but instead decided it was worthy of a post itself since I disagree - slightly.

Ryan's Ranking:

1. Keddy
2. Metcalf
3. Dennis
4. Falck
5. Beatty
6. Tsirtsis
7. Borschel
8. Morningstar
9. Erekson
10. Ballweg

My Ranking:

1. Metcalf (No. 1)
2. Keddy (No. 3)
3. Dennis (No. 2)
4. Tsirtsis (No. 2)
5. Falck (No. 4)
6. Borschel (No. 4)
7. Morningstar (No. 3)
8. Beatty (No. 19)
9. Erekson (No. 7)
10. Ballweg

So what's the reasoning behind the disagreements? First of all, I agree that Keddy is incredible to watch and you can tell the mentality is there. BUT he did just lose to top ranked Jake Herbert. Despite the improvement in the matches from Midlands, losing to Herbert by one point is something that Brent Metcalf would never allow...which makes him no. 1 on my list.

I flipped Tsirtsis and Falck around and sent Beatty down towards the bottom. I don't disagree with you that Charlie Falck isn't a stud because he's a doer. He's struggled a couple times this season, though, getting himself in the wrong position at the wrong time. His bounce back from losing against Minnesota was to beat defending NCAA Champion Angel Escobedo - that shows mentality. However, two days later he allowed himself to be pinned against now no. 3 ranked Brandon Precin of Northwestern. What's up with that?

Although Tsirtsis posted a loss against a former teammate at Indiana (his second dual loss this season), he would never allow himself to be pinned. This gives him the upper hand when compared to Falck.

Ranked at 19 and sitting out for several matches, Chad Beatty is moved just below Borschel and Morningstar who have both shown vast improvements from last season and impressive rankings. Although they might not always give a physical show like Metcalf and Keddy, they seem to find themselves neck-in-neck on the scoreboard and usually end up winning the bout - giving the crowd unpredictable entertainment.

What do you think?

UPDATE TODAY: For a list of updated team and individual rankings visit InterMat.

For recaps of the season go to Hawkeyesports.com.

Photo by Julie Koehn/The Daily Iowan.

Metcalf: Big Ten Wrestler of the Week

149-pounder Brent Metcalf was named Big Ten Wrestler of the Week this week.

The defending Big Ten and NCAA Champion's accomplishments this season include:

• No. 1 in the nation
• 29-0 record
• 15 pins
• Scored bonus points in 27 matches

I'd say he qualifies as the Big Ten Wrestler of the Season.

For more information go to Hawkeyesports.com.

Video provided by Big Ten Network.

Regular Season Ends

Iowa wrapped up its regular season with a 24-0 record this weekend on the road against Indiana and Northwestern.

It wasn't a complete shut out against the Wildcats though.

After beating No. 3 Escobedo in Indiana Friday night, No. 5 Charlie Falck at 125 pounds, found himself on his back to Northwestern's No. 4 Brandon Precin.

Another disappointment from the Hawks' end came from 184-pounder Phil Keddy who wrestled No. 1 Jake Herbert. Apparently, it was a close match between the two - Keddy with just a one point deficit, 3-2. No videos have been posted thus far, however, the following is a video of Keddy and Herbert's match at the Midlands where Herbert dominated with a major decision 15-1. Clearly, this is an improvement for Keddy and he will likely be facing Herbert at Big Tens and NCAAs in the upcoming weeks. Keddy, who is ranked no. 3 has only lost against Herbert this season and holds a dual competition record of 23-1.

I'll keep an eye out for their match from yesterday. Until then, let me know what you think about Herbert's dominating style.

Highlights

It's no surprise that it wasn't a close match between Iowa and No. 18 Indiana on Friday - but that doesn't mean that there were no surprises.

After losing against No. 8 Zach Sanders (Minnesota) last Sunday, senior 125-pounder Charlie Falck (No. 5) pulled out an upset against No. 3 Angel Escobedo. Escobedo won both the Big Ten and NCAA Championships last year. This is obviously a big win for Falck who will wrestle No. 4 Brandon Precin at Northwestern today. Precin has a 23-2 record.

On the flip side senior Alex Tsirtsis lost in an upset against former high school teammate Andrae Hernandez. Hernandez, who is unranked, pulled out two points to beat the No. 2 141-pounder in double overtime to win, 3-1. I'm not sure if this was mentally a challenge for Tsirtsis or what. I guess, I can't imagine competing against former teammates myself, but it's part of the game. He better pick it up before the final season dual today against Northwestern.

Iowa forfeited the heavyweight match. I'm not sure what that was all about. I guess we'll see if Dan Erekson is going to be back today or if he's waiting until Big Tens in a couple of weeks. Either way, redshirt freshman Jordan Johnson had been filling in the last couple of duals.

For information on how all Iowa wrestlers did visit Hawkeyesports.com.

Photo courtesy of Hawkeyesports.com.

Brands' Moment

( Daily Iowan video feature )

Do you think it's realistic that Coach Brands was disappointed with the results of the Minnesota meet? Any thoughts on how the weekend on the road is going to go, closing up the regular season?

Iowa vs. Indiana (no. 18) tonight

Iowa vs. Northwestern (no. 19) Sunday

Video by The Daily Iowan

Since you asked...

With the Iowa wrestlers bringing in two more wins from Carver-Hawkeye Arena this past weekend, they remain undefeated as they roadtrip to Indiana and Northwestern for the final Big Ten duals of the season.

Since you brought it up though, do Iowa fans - students in particular - take advantage of the no. 1 ranked wrestling team when they host a dual?

If you think about it, they're bringing more to the table than just a regular match:

• Multiple ranked athletes in the nation competing


• Entertaining coaching staff


• Free admission for students

You'd think that would be enough. The unranked Iowa men's basketball team, who is 3-10 in the conference, has been selling tickets for $10 to get fans to come. And somehow they manage to lure more students to Carver than the wrestling team that is 22-0.

I think most students don't have the knowledge of the sport - and without that I don't think you can really appreciate the accomplishments of both the individuals and the team as a whole.

I suppose if you're high school didn't have a wrestling program, you might not have any reason to be into it. But Iowa high schools especially, thrive on wrestling.

Everybody went to state wrestling when I was in high school. Speaking of which, it's going on right now. I wonder how many champions will end up as Hawkeyes next year.

If you're interested in the IHSSA State Wrestling Tournament click here.

Any other thoughts on why students would rather attend a 3-10 basketball team over a 22-0 wrestling team?

Photo courtesy of www.skyscrapercity.com.

Live with the Boarder Brawl

No. 1 vs. No. 11
Final dual at Carver Hawkeye Arena
Attendance: 10,095
Senior Day
Fan Appeciation Day
It's the "Boarder Brawl."

125 - Falck (4) vs. Sanders (8) (5-4)
Falck up 4-3 with thirty seconds left and in the last 13 or so seconds Sanders scored a takedown.

Minnesota (3) Iowa (0)

133 - Dennis (1) vs. Ness (5) (9-7)
1st Period
Takedown Ness
Escape Dennis
Takedown Dennis
2nd Period
Escape Ness
Takedown Dennis
Escape Ness
3rd Period
Takedown Dennis
Escape Ness
Takedown Ness
Escape Dennis

Minnesota (3) Iowa (3)

141 - Tsirtsis (2) vs. Thorn (8) (2-1)
1st Period
2nd Period
Escape Tsirtsis
3rd Period
Escape Thorn
Tsirtsis riding time

Minnesota (3) Iowa (6)

149 - Metcalf (1) vs. Grygelko
1st Period
Takedown Metcalf
3-point near fall Metcalf
Escape Grygelko
Takedown Metcalf
Escape Grygelko
Takedown Metcalf
3-point near fall Metcalf
2nd Period
Escape Metcalf
Takedown Metcalf
22 seconds left Pin Metcalf

Minnesota (3) Iowa (12)

157 - Ballweg vs. Safratowich (8-2)
1st Period
Takedown Safratowich
2nd Period
Escape Safratowich
Takedown Safratowich
3rd Period
Escape Ballweg
Takedown Safratowich
Escape Ballweg
Riding time Safratowich

Minnesota (6) Iowa (12)

165 - Morningstar (3) vs. Glasser (9-4)
1st Period
Takedown Morningstar
3-Point near fall Morningstar
2nd Period
Escape Morningstar
Takedown Glasser
3rd Period
Escape Glasser
Takedown Morningstar
Escape Glasser
Riding Time Morningstar

Minnesota (6) Iowa (15)

174 - Borschel (4) vs. Young (10-3)
1st Period
2nd Period
3rd Period
Escape Borschel
Takedown Borschel
Escape Young
Takedown Borschel
Escape Young
Takedown Borschel
Escape Young
Takedown Borschel
Riding Time Borschel

Minnesota (6) Iowa (19)

184 - Keddy (3) vs. Yohn (10-6)
1st Period
Takedown Keddy
Escape Yohn
Takedown Yohn
Reversal Keddy
Escape Yohn
2nd Period
Escape Keddy
3rd Period
Escape Yohn
Takedown Keddy
Escape Yohn
Takedown Keddy
Riding Time Keddy

Minnesota (6) Iowa (22)

197 - Beatty (18) vs. Bierschenk (5-4)
1st Period
Takedown Beatty
Escape Bierschenk
Takedown Beatty
2nd Period
Escape Bierschenk
Takedown Bierschenk
3rd Period
Escape Beatty

Minnesota (6) Iowa (25)

285 - Johnson vs. Berhow (11-9)
1st Period
Technical violation against Hawkeyes
Takedown Johnson
Escape Berhow
Takedown Johnson
Escape Berhow
2nd Period
Escape Berhow
Escape Johnson
Takedown Berhow
Tech violation against Minnesota
Escape Johnson
3rd Period
Escape Johnson
Takedown Berhow
Escape Johnson
Takedown Berhow

Minnesota (9) Iowa (25)

V-Day Separates Final Home Duals

The Hawks are preparing to host two conference duals in the next few days - but that's not the only thing happening this weekend.

In case you missed the heart-shaped pizza advertisements on TV, the aisles of boxed chocolates in every store or the enormous stuffed animals with oversized lips hanging off the shelves, Valentine's Day is in two days.

That's the day after Iowa faces no. 25 Purdue. And the day before they host no. 11 Minnesota.

I'm not so sure it's fair to have a holiday like V-Day during wrestling season for a number of reasons. If you're dating a wrestler, here's some things to think about.

First of all, chances are he's going to be crabby. I dated a wrestler in high school and learned that life is much easier if you don't talk to him when he loses, when he's trying to maintain weight or when his coach has been harpin' on him. In fact, during the season you'll feel like the relationship is going well if you're not communicating at all - especially with Big Tens and NCAAs just around the corner. So throwing a lovey dovey holiday in the midst of it all...ugh.

Secondly, most people on V-Day go out to eat or have a romantic dinner. That's like a slap in the face. How can you go out to eat when you're trying to maintain weight? Especially for the Iowa boys who have to turn around and make weight on Sunday when they host the "boarder brawls."

If he won on the road this past weekend you might get lucky with a dozen long stem roses. But what are you going to buy him? A box of chocolates? Another slap in the face.

If he loses against a Purdue opponent on Friday - you might as well forget that Saturday even exists because chances are Valentine's Day will be the last thing on his mind.

And if he does win on Friday, you don't want him to be too soft for Sunday.

Really, you can't win. Unless of course your boy is Brent Metcalf, who is 25-0 for the season and on a 5-pin winning streak. Then I'd say, just keep him away from the chocolates.

If you think about it though, V-Day is just an excuse for flowershops to jack up prices and women to test men on their ability to surprise.

So don't feel too bad if he's only concerned about beating the 25th and 11th ranked teams this weekend.

Photo: Brent Metcalf shows the usual love he shows all his opponents. Courtesy of www.themat.com.

Daniel Dennis: Under Control

Interview with 133-pound Daniel Dennis after the Bucknell meet




At first when I noticed junior Joe Slaton was out of the lineup at 133, and Daniel Dennis was in his place, I wasn't sure how I felt about that.

Coming out of the 07-08 season, Slaton placed second at NCAAs and third at Big Tens. The all-American posted a 31-5 collegiate match record. So where is this junior who could potentially be clenching that first place trophy at 133?

It's called weight control.

Many may have watched as Slaton struggled uncontrollably during his match against Nick Fanthorpe during the Iowa State meet in December, to be defeated 12-2.

So someone had to step up to the plate, and it just so happened to be junior Daniel Dennis.

He's not from Cedar Rapids, Iowa and he hasn't made an appearance at the Big Tens or NCAAs. But he has just been named Big Ten Wrestler of the Week. And that's got to count for something.

The Ingleside, Ill. native took victory over defending Big Ten champion Franklin Gomez, 3-2, at Michigan State during the Hawkeyes first Big Ten road trip this past Friday. He then went on to beat no. 9 ranked Jake Strayer at Penn State on Sunday, 6-3.

Dennis, who is now 21-2 in collegeiate matches and 4-0 in Big Tens, has climbed his way to be ranked no. 1 by W.I.N. Magazine and in the Intermat/NWCA/NWMA polls.

I don't know what I was worried about, but Dennis has it under control.

Click here for a story on Slaton's weight control.

Video courtesy of SCOUT.com.

Check out Mark Perry's final match as a Hawkeye. Everyone remembers what happened at the NCAAs with Perry last year in his final bout with Eric Tannenbaum. He screamed in pain after being in a position that joltled his already injured knee, and ended up winning the match, 5-2.

Now, Perry is seeing Iowa from a different side. The former 165-pound two time NCAA champion is now an assistant coach for Penn State - Iowa's next Big Ten match up, which is held tomorrow.

Injuries Galore

It seems like just about every time they turn around, someone else is getting hurt.

Last night Iowa wrestled unranked Michigan State for their first Big Ten road meet. Although the Hawks did what they showed up to do, winning 22-15, it wasn't exactly that dominating mentality - especially for it being an unranked team.

Can they have a few excuses though?

• In the line-up they still have Colby Covington in for Jay Borschel...and he lost at 174.
• Iowa hwt. Dan Erekson couldn't finish his match last night due to a leg injury.

Okay, so that's only two. But don't forget that 125-pounder Charlie Falck was injured earlier in the season...luckily he's back out dominating every match of the way. And 197-pound Chad Beatty's back after a shortened absence as well.

I'm not sure we can come up with a good excuse why 157-pounder Matt Ballweg lost, again. And third ranked Ryan Morningstar was also defeated at 165 in a 5-4 upset against Michigan State's senior Rex Kendle...that shouldn't have happened.

It was a big day for Iowa's 149-pound Brent Metcalf who posted his fourth consecutive pin against David Cheza. It was also a good day for Iowa 133-pounder Daniel Dennis who defeated No. 6 Franklin Gomez, who is now 13-2 for the season.

If this is the work the Hawkeyes produce at an unranked Big Ten bout, I wonder how tomorrows dual against No. 22 Penn State will go.

Metcalf or Jenkins?

Does Penn State's No. 2 ranked 149-pounder Bubba Jenkins have a chance against No. 1 Brent Metcalf?

2008 Iowa vs. Penn State Dual Match: Brent Metcalf vs. Bubba Jenkins



If you ask me, Jenkins odds are slim to none. Although the junior all-American has posted 19-0 for the season he has sat out the last three duals with an ankle injury that he obtained against Indiana on Jan. 23.

So it's entirely possible that Jenkins won't be back on the mat when No. 22 Penn State hosts Iowa on Sunday. But if he is, he's got quite the match ahead of him.

Jenkins is clearly a tough guy - see his previous matches against Metcalf. But coming off of nursing an ankle, especially if it's weakened even a little more during Penn State's bout against Ohio State on Friday. Jenkins hasn't put his wrestling shoes back on since the injury, nor has he been able to take the starting stance. With that in mind, and the fact that he may have weight issues with a much more layed back work out this past week - the odds are definitely with Metcalf.

Let's say Jenkins does make weight and appears to be 100% ready to compete. I'm going to go with a win for Metcalf by a fall in the third quarter. Metcalf is not only on a match winning streak right now, he's also on a pinning streak. I'll give Jenkins the benefit of the doubt for most of the match, but I think he'll break in the third quarter and Metcalf will roll him on his back.

2008 NCAA Finals: Brent Metcalf vs. Bubba Jenkins