Real Woods transferring to Iowa from Stanford was one of the top stories in the wrestling world over the off-season. Woods started the season late due to injury. Drew Bennett was 3-2 in varsity action. It was worth the wait for Hawk fans for Woods to appear in the lineup.
In his first match of the season Woods defeated #10 Casey Swiderski of Iowa State. On Saturday night Woods was impressive against Chattanooga. He scored an early takedown followed by 14 back points to score a rare first period tech fall, 16-0 in 2:57. That is the type of offensive spark you like to see in the lineup.
Woods will face a ranked opponent in eight of the nine remaining dual meets at 141 including four in the top nine in the country. The grind of the Big Ten will prepare Woods and the entire team for the NCAA Tournament.
Currently ranked #2 in the country, the sky’s the limit for Woods. I look forward to seeing him compete the rest of the season. Sure like our chances of winning it all here at 141.
141
Drew Bennett (UI) major dec. Edison Alanis (Cal Baptist), 16-5
Julian Sanchez (ARMY) dec. Drew Bennett (UI), 5-3
Drew Bennett (UI) dec. Seth Brown (Sacred Heart), 12-8
Drew Bennett (UI) dec. Matt Ryan (Buffalo), 9-6
Carmen Ferrante (Penn) dec. Drew Bennett (UI), 4-1
#2 Real Woods (UI) dec. #10 Casey Swiderski (ISU), 4-2
#2 Real Woods (UI) tech fall Dayne Dalrymple (UTC), 16-0 (2:57)
Upcoming ranked opponents at 141 (InterMat Rankings)
#16 Parker Filius at Purdue Jan 8
#6 Frankie Tal-Shahar Northwestern Jan 13
#9 Brock Hardy Nebraska Jan 20
#22 Joe Zargo at Wisconsin Jan 22
#5 Beau Barlett at Penn State Jan 27
#7 Jake Bergeland at Minnesota Feb 3
#20 Cole Mattin Michigan Feb 10
#28 Carter Young Oklahoma State Feb 19
It is great to be an Iowa Wrestling fan.
Go Hawks!
