Thomas Gilman and Sammy Brooks both won Big Ten titles and looked great all tournament. Cory Clark and Michael Kemerer both placed second. The Big Ten showed once again that it is by far the best wrestling conference in the country with two days of great wrestling. Iowa finished in third place for the team race and qualified seven wrestlers for the NCAA national tournament.
At 125, Gilman won his first Big Ten title in impressive fashion with a 4-0 decision over Tim Lambert of Nebraska in the finals. Gilman controlled the match more than the score may indicate. After a first round bye, Gilman had a pin in the quarter-finals before getting a major decision over Conor Youtsey of Michigan in the semi-finals, 16-5. Gilman is undefeated and ranked number one in the country. I would say he looks to be on track to win it all at the NCAA tournament.
Sammy Brooks entered the tournament as a number two seed as the defending Big Ten champion at 184 lbs. in what was in my opinion the toughest weight class in this very tough tournament. After a bye, Brooks scored a pin over Bobby Stevenson of Minnesota in 4:08. In the semi-finals, Brooks looked real solid in beating third seed and nationally eighth ranked Nathan Jackson of Indiana 13-6. Brooks left the best for last. Powered by a six point move from a foot sweep, Brooks dominated 174 lbs. defending national champion Myles Martin of Ohio State in the finals by a major decision, 12-2. There is no doubt that Brooks should have been named as the Outstanding Wrestler of the Big Ten tournament, but they chose someone else. Brooks should be flying high heading into the national tournament.
At 133, Cory Clark gave up an escape with time running out to drop a 5-4 decision to top seed and number one ranked Nathan Tomasello of Ohio State in finals. Clark was called for a violation and Tomasello was awarded a point early in the match. I am still unsure of what the call was there. It doesn’t matter to me. Adjustments will be made and should these two meet again, Clark will win. I am more confident that Clark will win the NCAA title in St. Louis than I was before the tournament.
Michael Kemerer dropped a hard fought 8-2 decision to Jason Nolf of Penn State in the finals. Kemerer had a solid tournament and should definitely be the number two seed at nationals. Just a freshman, Kemerer has had a great season. Brandon Sorensen placed third at 149. After a tough loss in the semi-finals to Micah Jordan of Ohio State, 2-1, Sorensen came back with a major decision and then a fall in the third place match. The way that Sorensen responded in the consolations with the major decision and pin, I believe he will be ready to go for nationals. Alex Meyer held his seed by placing fifth at 174 with a 4-2 decision over Ryan Christensen of Wisconsin. Topher Carton came back through the consolations with two wins to place ninth. The Big Ten had qualified nine at 141 so Carton punched his ticket to the NCAA tournament.
Joey Gunther won his first match but dropped his next two matches and did not qualify for nationals at 165. Cash Wilcke found himself in the 7th place match at 197 with a 2-1 record for the tournament. Wilcke lost 7-2 to place eighth. Unfortunately the Big Ten only took the top seven so Wilcke did not qualify for nationals. Steven Holloway dropped two matches and did not place at Hwt or qualify for nationals.
So, the Hawks qualified seven wrestlers for the NCAA tournament in Gilman, Clark, Carton, Sorensen, Kemerer, Meyer, and Brooks. A tip of the hat to the three freshmen that gave their all to Iowa Wrestling this year in Joey Gunther, Cash Wilcke, and Steven Holloway.
I have said since last fall that the prize is in St. Louis on March 16, 17, and 18. The 2017 NCAA National Wrestling Championships begin at 11 AM CST on March 16. I am confident that the Iowa Wrestling coaching staff will have their wrestlers ready to go. It should be a great NCAA tournament.
IOWA CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS
125 – #1 Thomas Gilman (IA) dec. #3 Tim Lambert (NEB), 4-0
133 – #1 Nathan Tomasello (OSU) dec. #3 Cory Clark (IA), 5-4
157 – #1 Jason Nolf (PSU) dec. #2 Michael Kemerer (IA), 8-2
184 – #2 Sammy Brooks (IA) major dec. #4 Myles Martin (OSU), 12-2
3rd PLACE RESULTS
149 – #2 Brandon Sorensen (IA) pinned Zac Hall (MICH), 2:53
5th PLACE RESULT
174 – #5 Alex Meyer (IA) dec. #11 Ryan Christensen (WIS), 4-2
TEAM SCORES
- Ohio State 139.5
- Penn State 130.0
- Iowa 112.5
- Nebraska 102.5
- Minnesota 93.0
- Illinois 88.5
- Michigan 83.0
- Rutgers 67.5
- Wisconsin 67.5
- Michigan State 38.5
- Maryland 32.0
- Purdue 26.0
- Indiana 24.5
- Northwestern 18.0
