THE LAST WORD
Hawkeyes ready to make another run at NCAA title
I
OWA CITY, Iowa – The question has cropped up a few times over the past four years. What’s wrong with the Iowa Hawkeyes? Iowa returned to its familiar perch atop the college
wrestling world when the Brent Metcalf-led Hawkeyes captured three straight NCAA titles from 2008-10. But what has happened since then? Iowa has finished third,
third, fourth and fourth in the country while Big Ten rival Penn State strung together four straight national and league titles. Finishing in the top four in the country in four straight years is
cause for celebration at many schools, but that’s simply not good enough for the Hawkeye program. Iowa has won an amazing 23 national team titles in wrestling since 1975. There is no reason to panic in Iowa City. The Hawkeye pro-
gram is still in very good hands with two of the best coaches in the business, twin brothers Tom and Terry Brands. You have to remember that Penn State’s magical run featured
two of the best wrestlers – Ed Ruth and David Taylor – in NCAA history. With Taylor and Ruth moving on, Penn State’s program remains very strong. And so does the Iowa program. The Hawkeyes definitely have the capability to make a run at
the national championship this season. That momentum started with a very productive spring and summer. Iowa wrestler Thomas Gilman, who will be a sopho- more this season, wrestled very well in capturing a bronze medal at the Junior World Championships. They are definitely doing the right things in Iowa City. Iowa
has already landed commitments from some top recruits this fall and is continuing to build for the future. Iowa’s 2014-15 lineup looks very strong from top to bottom. You start with Gilman at 125. He was a starter much of the
season and actually beat two-time NCAA champion Jesse Delgado of Illinois at the Midlands last season. Sophomore Cory Clark epitomizes the classic Hawkeye style,
wrestling an aggressive, attacking style that Iowa has been lacking over the past few years. Clark is expected to bump up to 133 after being an All- American at 125 this past season. Iowa has some very good and very
talented wrestlers who could make a big impact at 149 and 157. They include Edwin Cooper, Brody Grothus and Brandon Sorensen. Iowa’s five upper weight wrestlers all have the potential to be
Craig Sesker
NCAA finalists this season. Those wrestlers include All- Americans Bobby Telford (heavyweight), Mike Evans (174) and Nathan Burak (197). NCAA qualifier Nick Moore (165) also is very strong and past Junior World Team member Sammy Brooks (184) is a very good prospect as well. All of those wrestlers were highly touted recruits who haven’t
yet reached the lofty expectations they had coming into college. One big point of emphasis from Tom Brands last season was opening up and scoring more bonus points. That’s where Iowa has excelled for years, but it is an area it has struggled in the past few years. Iowa has wrestlers with the potential and ability to put more
points on the scoreboard. Hawkeye wrestlers are always well- conditioned with their intense training regimen. It’s just a matter of going out on the mat and executing. That can lead to a more entertaining style that can become contagious for a team. There is no question that it’s going to be another great race
for the NCAA team title in March in St. Louis. Minnesota also has a team loaded with proven performers.
Ohio State has an excellent mix of veterans and newcomers. Cornell and Penn State also should be in the mix this year. Nothing is wrong in Iowa City. Iowa’s program is alive and
well, and still very strong. The Hawkeyes have an excellent shot to bring home an NCAA title this season.
42 USA Wrestler
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