Iowa rolls at Midlands with 5 champs

Dec 31, 2017

Iowa Wrestling did not get the memo that they were to be seriously challenged to win the Midlands team title.  The Hawks ran away from the field with five champs to win their 27th Midlands title.  When the dust cleared after two days of tough wrestling in the Sears Centre Arena, Iowa won the team title with 156.5 points ahead of Rutgers (109.5), Central Michigan (108), and Arizona State (106.5).  

Brandon Sorensen won his third Midlands title at 149.  Sorensen was as consistent as ever against very good competition.  He defeated former NCAA champ Jason Tsirtsis of Arizona State in the semifinals, 3-1, OT before defeating nationally third ranked Justin Oliver of Central Michigan in the finals, 4-2. Sorensen became just the 12th wrestler in Iowa history to win three Midlands titles.  For his five year career at Iowa including his redshirt year, Sorensen has placed third, third, first, first, and first at Midlands.

Michael Kemerer had a very impressive tournament that started with four pins and a tech fall to reach the finals.  In the finals, Kemerer defeated former high school teammate and seventh ranked Josh Shields of Arizona State, 5-2 to win his second straight Midlands title.  Kemerer looks so much stronger this season.

It was the first Midlands title for three Iowa wrestlers that really stood out for me.  Marinelli, Wilcke, and Stoll all captured titles.  It is a huge step in the career of these three Iowa wrestlers to win a Midlands title.  

Alex “Bull” Marinelli captured his first Midlands title at 165.  Marinelli defeated Ritchie Lewis of Rutgers in the semifinals, 3-2.  Lewis won a World title at the U23 Freestyle championships recently and is a very good wrestler.  This is Marinelli’s second win over Lewis in the last month.  Marinelli then downed John Schleifer of Princeton in the finals, 3-1, OT.  Marinelli had a late start to the season with an injury and I look for him to continue to get better as the season progresses.

Cash Wilcke captured the title at 197.  Wilck pinned teammate Jacob Warner in overtime in the semifinals before beating 19th ranked Frank Mattiace of Penn, 3-1 OT in the finals.  Wilcke has continued to improve at an impressive rate and has so much potential.  When he scores, he makes it look so easy.

Sam Stoll had a very good tournament in winning the title at Hwt.  Stoll won two matches by Disqualification because of stalling calls on his way to the finals against fourth ranked Tanner Hall of Arizona State.  Stoll won on an unsportsmanlike conduct call against Hall to win, 2-1.  That is a big win for Sam Stoll.  

Carter Happel placed sixth at 141 and Kaleb Young placed fifth at 165.  In the Unattached team of Iowa wrestlers, Spencer Lee placed sixth at 125 and Max Murin defeated teammate Carter Happel to place fifth at 141.  Pat Lugo placed fourth at 149 and Jacob Warner placed sixth at 197.

Overall, I thought it was a good tournament for Iowa Wrestling.  The Hawks came out very strong and scored a lot of bonus points in the first day of action.  Iowa then finished by going 5-0 in the finals and the team race was not even close.  I would say that is a good Midlands.

As much as the individual titles and dominating team title, I liked something else that I saw out of Iowa Wrestling.  I saw Iowa wrestlers that were happy to be winning.  I like a little bit of emotion out of a wrestler that is excited and grateful for a win.  Whether is was an individual title won, being assured of placing, or just winning a match at the Midlands, I saw Iowa wrestlers that were happy with their results.  I also liked the team photo at the end of the tournament that showed a proud team that was happy they had won the Midlands team title.  That may not sound like much to you, but I like it.  A lot.  I hope to see more of that from Iowa Wrestling.

The Hawks face Michigan State at 7 PM (CST) at home this Friday, January 5.  

Tickets are available at: hawkeyesports.com/tickets.

 

125  Justin Stickley’s place is unknown and has scored 2.00 team points.

  • Champ. Round 1 – Justin Stickley (Iowa) won by decision over Connor Brown (South Dakota State) (Dec 5-4)
  • Champ. Round 2 – Justin Stickley (Iowa) won by decision over Kirk Johansen (Northern Illinois) (Dec 6-2)
  • Champ. Round 3 – Nick Suriano (Rutgers) won by tech fall over Justin Stickley (Iowa) (TF 19-4)
  • Cons. Round 4 – Joshua Kramer (Arizona State) won by decision over Justin Stickley (Iowa) (Dec 8-4)

 

133  Phillip Laux’s place is unknown and has scored 2.50 team points.

  • Champ. Round 1 – Phillip Laux (Iowa) received a bye () (Bye)
  • Champ. Round 2 – Phillip Laux (Iowa) won by decision over Michael DeLaPena (Indiana – UNAT) (Dec 9-2)
  • Champ. Round 3 – Micky Phillippi (Pittsburgh ) won by decision over Phillip Laux (Iowa) (Dec 6-2)
  • Cons. Round 4 – Phillip Laux (Iowa) won by decision over Noah Gonser (Eastern Michigan) (Dec 6-3)
  • Cons. Round 5 – Colin Valdiviez (Northwestern) won by decision over Phillip Laux (Iowa) (Dec 4-3)

 

133  Paul Glynn’s place is unknown and has scored 5.00 team points.

  • Champ. Round 1 – Paul Glynn (Iowa) won by decision over Ben Thornton (Purdue) (Dec 5-1)
  • Champ. Round 2 – Paul Glynn (Iowa) won by fall over Anthony Rubinetti (Northwestern) (Fall 3:56)
  • Champ. Round 3 – Paul Glynn (Iowa) won by decision over Jens Lantz (Wisconsin) (Dec 3-2)
  • Quarterfinal – Dylan Duncan (Illinois) won by decision over Paul Glynn (Iowa) (Dec 6-1)
  • Cons. Round 6 – Paul Konrath (Wisconsin – UNAT) won in tie breaker – 1 over Paul Glynn (Iowa) (TB-1 8-5)

 

141  Carter Happel’s place is 6th and has scored 14.50 team points.

  • Champ. Round 1 – Carter Happel (Iowa) won by tech fall over Noah Hermasillo (Adams State – UNAT) (TF 18-2)
  • Champ. Round 2 – Carter Happel (Iowa) won by fall over Lenny Petersen (Air Force) (Fall 4:38)
  • Champ. Round 3 – Carter Happel (Iowa) won by major decision over Jacob Lizak (Penn) (Maj 10-2)
  • Quarterfinal – Tyler Smith (Bucknell) won by major decision over Carter Happel (Iowa) (Maj 11-3)
  • Cons. Round 6 – Carter Happel (Iowa) won by decision over Mike Vanschenkbrill (Rutgers) (Dec 3-1)
  • Cons. Round 7 – Carter Happel (Iowa) won by decision over Colton Schilling (Cal Poly) (Dec 12-8)
  • Cons. Semi – Nate Limmex (Purdue) won by decision over Carter Happel (Iowa) (Dec 8-7)
  • 5th Place Match – Max Murin (Iowa – UNAT) won by decision over Carter Happel (Iowa) (Dec 5-2)

 

141  Vince Turk’s place is unknown and has scored 4.50 team points.

  • Champ. Round 1 – Vince Turk (Iowa) won by decision over Alexander Jaffe (Harvard) (Dec 6-2)
  • Champ. Round 2 – Vince Turk (Iowa) won by decision over Jaime Hernandez (North Carolina) (Dec 7-4)
  • Champ. Round 3 – Cole Weaver (Indiana) won by decision over Vince Turk (Iowa) (Dec 8-3)
  • Cons. Round 4 – Vince Turk (Iowa) won by fall over Cory Crooks (Arizona State) (Fall 3:21)
  • Cons. Round 5 – Mike Vanschenkbrill (Rutgers) won by fall over Vince Turk (Iowa) (Fall 2:12)

 

149  Brandon Sorensen’s place is 1st and has scored 25.50 team points.

  • Champ. Round 1 – Brandon Sorensen (Iowa) received a bye () (Bye)
  • Champ. Round 2 – Brandon Sorensen (Iowa) won by fall over Davey Tunon (Indiana) (Fall 3:52)
  • Champ. Round 3 – Brandon Sorensen (Iowa) won by tech fall over Kevin Budock (Old Dominion – UNAT) (TF 26-11)
  • Quarterfinal – Brandon Sorensen (Iowa) won by major decision over Eleazar Deluca (Rutgers) (Maj 12-2)
  • Semifinal – Brandon Sorensen (Iowa) won in sudden victory – 1 over Jason Tsirtsis (Arizona State) (SV-1 3-1)
  • 1st Place Match – Brandon Sorensen (Iowa) won by decision over Justin Oliver (Central Michigan) (Dec 4-2)

 

149  Jaren Glosser’s place is unknown and has scored 6.00 team points.

  • Champ. Round 1 – Jaren Glosser (Iowa) won by fall over Jordan Shearer (Nebraska) (Fall 2:30)
  • Champ. Round 2 – Jaren Glosser (Iowa) won by decision over Brandon Wright (Indiana – UNAT) (Dec 8-1)
  • Champ. Round 3 – Austin O`Connor (North Carolina) won by decision over Jaren Glosser (Iowa) (Dec 7-4)
  • Cons. Round 4 – Jaren Glosser (Iowa) won by major decision over Tyler Meisinger (Michigan) (Maj 9-1)
  • Cons. Round 5 – Jaren Glosser (Iowa) won in sudden victory – 1 over Eric Barone (Illinois) (SV-1 3-1)
  • Cons. Round 6 – Ryan Deakin (Northwestern) won by decision over Jaren Glosser (Iowa) (Dec 4-2)

 

157  Michael Kemerer’s place is 1st and has scored 30.50 team points.

  • Champ. Round 1 – Michael Kemerer (Iowa) won by fall over Gene `Oliver` Pierce (Arizona State) (Fall 2:35)
  • Champ. Round 2 – Michael Kemerer (Iowa) won by fall over Dylan Geick (Columbia) (Fall 1:30)
  • Champ. Round 3 – Michael Kemerer (Iowa) won by fall over Brett Donner (Rutgers) (Fall 1:25)
  • Quarterfinal – Michael Kemerer (Iowa) won by fall over Jake Danishek (Indiana) (Fall 4:24)
  • Semifinal – Michael Kemerer (Iowa) won by tech fall over Justin Staudenmayer (Brown) (TF 19-4)
  • 1st Place Match – Michael Kemerer (Iowa) won by decision over Joshua Shields (Arizona State) (Dec 5-2)

 

165  Kaleb Young’s place is 5th and has scored 14.00 team points.

  • Champ. Round 1 – Kaleb Young (Iowa) won by major decision over Patrick Gerish (Maryland) (Maj 15-3)
  • Champ. Round 2 – Jacob Morrissey (Purdue) won in sudden victory – 1 over Kaleb Young (Iowa) (SV-1 6-4)
  • Cons. Round 2 – Kaleb Young (Iowa) won by major decision over Jesse Dellavecchia (Rider) (Maj 12-3)
  • Cons. Round 3 – Kaleb Young (Iowa) won by major decision over Dale Tiongson (Princeton) (Maj 17-3)
  • Cons. Round 4 – Kaleb Young (Iowa) won by major decision over Logan Parks (Central Michigan) (Maj 8-0)
  • Cons. Round 5 – Kaleb Young (Iowa) won by decision over Logan Peterson (South Dakota State) (Dec 8-3)
  • Cons. Semi – Anthony Valencia (Arizona State) won by decision over Kaleb Young (Iowa) (Dec 7-3)
  • 5th Place Match – Kaleb Young (Iowa) won by decision over May Bethea (Penn) (Dec 2-0)

 

165  Alex Marinelli’s place is 1st and has scored 22.00 team points.

  • Champ. Round 1 – Alex Marinelli (Iowa) received a bye () (Bye)
  • Champ. Round 2 – Alex Marinelli (Iowa) won by fall over Johnny Blankenship (Nebraska) (Fall 6:05)
  • Quarterfinal – Alex Marinelli (Iowa) won by decision over Jonathan Viruet (Brown) (Dec 3-2)
  • Semifinal – Alex Marinelli (Iowa) won by decision over Richie Lewis (Rutgers) (Dec 3-2)
  • 1st Place Match – Alex Marinelli (Iowa) won in sudden victory – 1 over Jon Schleifer (Princeton) (SV-1 3-1)

 

174  Joey Gunther’s place is unknown and has scored 2.00 team points.

  • Champ. Round 1 – Joey Gunther (Iowa) received a bye () (Bye)
  • Champ. Round 2 – Jordan Pagano (Rutgers) won by decision over Joey Gunther (Iowa) (Dec 7-4)
  • Cons. Round 2 – Joey Gunther (Iowa) received a bye () (Bye)
  • Cons. Round 3 – Joey Gunther (Iowa) won by decision over Brit Wilson (Northern Illinois – UNAT) (Dec 3-2)
  • Cons. Round 4 – Joey Gunther (Iowa) won by decision over Matthew Gancayco (Princeton) (Dec 8-2)
  • Cons. Round 5 – Joey Gunther (Iowa) won by decision over Jake Lanning (Buffalo – UNAT) (Dec 10-3)
  • Cons. Round 6 – Mikey Labriola (Nebraska – UNAT) won by decision over Joey Gunther (Iowa) (Dec 4-3)

 

184  Mitch Bowman’s place is unknown and has scored 5.00 team points.

  • Champ. Round 1 – Mitch Bowman (Iowa) won by major decision over Brett Perry (Buffalo) (Maj 10-2)
  • Champ. Round 2 – Mitch Bowman (Iowa) won by injury default over Christian LaFragola (Brown) (Inj. 3:52)
  • Quarterfinal – Jordan Ellingwood (Central Michigan) won in tie breaker – 1 over Mitch Bowman (Iowa) (TB-1 6-1)
  • Cons. Round 4 – Martin Mueller (South Dakota State) won by decision over Mitch Bowman (Iowa) (Dec 7-5)

 

197  Cash Wilcke’s place is 1st and has scored 24.00 team points.

  • Champ. Round 1 – Cash Wilcke (Iowa) won by fall over Anthony Messner (Rutgers) (Fall 4:45)
  • Champ. Round 2 – Cash Wilcke (Iowa) won by decision over Kyle Gentile (Lehigh – UNAT) (Dec 2-1)
  • Quarterfinal – Cash Wilcke (Iowa) won by decision over Pat Brucki (Princeton) (Dec 5-2)
  • Semifinal – Cash Wilcke (Iowa) won by fall over Jacob Warner (Iowa – UNAT) (Fall 7:25)
  • 1st Place Match – Cash Wilcke (Iowa) won in sudden victory – 1 over Frank Mattiace (Penn) (SV-1 3-1)

 

Hwt  Sam Stoll’s place is 1st and has scored 26.00 team points.

  • Champ. Round 1 – Sam Stoll (Iowa) received a bye () (Bye)
  • Champ. Round 2 – Sam Stoll (Iowa) won by disqualification over Ian James (Buffalo) (DQ)
  • Champ. Round 3 – Sam Stoll (Iowa) won by disqualification over Patrik Garren (Penn) (DQ)
  • Quarterfinal – Sam Stoll (Iowa) won by major decision over Zack Parker (Ohio) (Maj 17-5)
  • Semifinal – Sam Stoll (Iowa) won by decision over Conan Jennings (Northwestern) (Dec 8-2)
  • 1st Place Match – Sam Stoll (Iowa) won by decision over Tanner Hall (Arizona State) (Dec 2-1)

 

Iowa – Unattached

 

125  Spencer Lee’s place is 6th and has scored 15.00 team points.

  • Champ. Round 1 – Spencer Lee (Iowa – UNAT) received a bye () (Bye)
  • Champ. Round 2 – Spencer Lee (Iowa – UNAT) won by fall over Killian Cardinale (Old Dominion – UNAT) (Fall 1:20)
  • Champ. Round 3 – Spencer Lee (Iowa – UNAT) won by tech fall over Travis Piotrowski (Illinois) (TF 17-2)
  • Quarterfinal – Spencer Lee (Iowa – UNAT) won by tech fall over Sean Russell (Edinboro) (TF 15-0)
  • Semifinal – Ronnie Bresser (Oregon State) won by decision over Spencer Lee (Iowa – UNAT) (Dec 3-1)
  • Cons. Semi – Zeke Moisey (West Virginia) won by medical forfeit over Spencer Lee (Iowa – UNAT) (MFF)
  • 5th Place Match – Sean Russell (Edinboro) won by medical forfeit over Spencer Lee (Iowa – UNAT) (MFF)

 

141  Max Murin’s place is 5th and has scored 14.00 team points.

  • Champ. Round 1 – Max Murin (Iowa – UNAT) won by major decision over Grant Willits (Oregon State – UNAT) (Maj 17-7)
  • Champ. Round 2 – Max Murin (Iowa – UNAT) won by decision over Jason Ipsarides (Northwestern) (Dec 6-2)
  • Champ. Round 3 – Colton Schilling (Cal Poly) won by fall over Max Murin (Iowa – UNAT) (Fall 3:35)
  • Cons. Round 4 – Max Murin (Iowa – UNAT) won by medical forfeit over Ben Freeman (Michigan – UNAT) (MFF)
  • Cons. Round 5 – Max Murin (Iowa – UNAT) won by decision over Michael Carr (Illinois) (Dec 3-2)
  • Cons. Round 6 – Max Murin (Iowa – UNAT) won by decision over Pat D`Arcy (Princeton) (Dec 8-3)
  • Cons. Round 7 – Max Murin (Iowa – UNAT) won by decision over Yahya Thomas (Northwestern – UNAT) (Dec 4-3)
  • Cons. Semi – Tyler Smith (Bucknell) won by decision over Max Murin (Iowa – UNAT) (Dec 8-4)
  • 5th Place Match – Max Murin (Iowa – UNAT) won by decision over Carter Happel (Iowa) (Dec 5-2)

 

149  Pat Lugo’s place is 4th and has scored 19.50 team points.

  • Champ. Round 1 – Pat Lugo (Iowa – UNAT) won by decision over Zach Krause (Brown) (Dec 4-2)
  • Champ. Round 2 – Pat Lugo (Iowa – UNAT) won by decision over Isaac Reinemann (Illinois) (Dec 7-4)
  • Champ. Round 3 – Joshua Maruca (Arizona State) won by decision over Pat Lugo (Iowa – UNAT) (Dec 4-1)
  • Cons. Round 4 – Pat Lugo (Iowa – UNAT) won by decision over Brandon Wright (Indiana – UNAT) (Dec 9-2)
  • Cons. Round 5 – Pat Lugo (Iowa – UNAT) won by fall over Joshua Cortez (Cal Poly) (Fall 2:01)
  • Cons. Round 6 – Pat Lugo (Iowa – UNAT) won by forfeit over Eleazar Deluca (Rutgers) (FF)
  • Cons. Round 7 – Pat Lugo (Iowa – UNAT) won by decision over Austin O`Connor (North Carolina) (Dec 6-1)
  • Cons. Semi – Pat Lugo (Iowa – UNAT) won by fall over Matthew Kolodzik (Princeton) (Fall 4:38)
  • 3rd Place Match – Ryan Deakin (Northwestern) won by decision over Pat Lugo (Iowa – UNAT) (Dec 8-5)

 

197  Jacob Warner’s place is 6th and has scored 10.00 team points.

  • Champ. Round 1 – Jacob Warner (Iowa – UNAT) won by decision over Tyler Johnson (NC State) (Dec 8-2)
  • Champ. Round 2 – Jacob Warner (Iowa – UNAT) won by major decision over Jackson Striggow (Michigan) (Maj 11-3)
  • Quarterfinal – Jacob Warner (Iowa – UNAT) won by decision over Jacob Smith (West Virginia) (Dec 3-1)
  • Semifinal – Cash Wilcke (Iowa) won by fall over Jacob Warner (Iowa – UNAT) (Fall 7:25)
  • Cons. Semi – Christian Brunner (Purdue) won by decision over Jacob Warner (Iowa – UNAT) (Dec 10-6)
  • 5th Place Match – Pat Brucki (Princeton) won by decision over Jacob Warner (Iowa – UNAT) (Dec 4-2)

 

Hwt  Aaron Costello’s place is unknown and has scored 0.00 team points.

  • Champ. Round 1 – Tanner Hall (Arizona State) won by fall over Aaron Costello (Iowa – UNAT) (Fall 4:01)
  • Cons. Round 1 – Aaron Costello (Iowa – UNAT) received a bye () (Bye)
  • Cons. Round 2 – Ian James (Buffalo) won by decision over Aaron Costello (Iowa – UNAT) (Dec 5-3)