The following is a press release sent out by Iowa State athletic communications.
TEMPE, Ariz. – Four Iowa State wrestlers earned bonus points in the Cyclones’ first dual victory of the season Tuesday. The No. 15 Cyclones (1-8, 0-3 Big 12) topped Arizona State (5-4, 1-0 Pac 12) 25-14 in Wells Fargo Arena.
Young wrestlers stepped up for the Cyclones in Tempe. Redshirt freshmen Ryak Finch and Luke Goettl each scored bonus points as they returned to their native state. Finch posted a major decision and Goettl pinned his opponent in front of the large cardinal and gold following.
“This is my first time wrestling here and I think Iowa State had more fans than ASU did so it was a great experience,” Finch said. “It’s one out of two times I’ll be wrestling in my home state so it was awesome to get the win.”
Finch started the Cyclones off at 125 with a dominating 11-3 major decision over Sun Devil grappler Dalton Miller. Finch improves to 9-3 overall and posted two takedowns along with five near-fall points in the victory.
“I knew coming in getting bonus point was going to be big,” Finch said. “I think we were all trying to make sure we got bonus points tonight.”
At 141 pounds, Goettl trailed 5-3 before pinning Nathan Hoffer at the 4:57 mark. The Clarkdale, Ariz., native’s excitement was evident as a wide grin spread across his face after posting the fall and hearing the Cyclone cheering section erupt.
“We have a good support system back home and it felt great looking up at the people I love sitting there and supporting me,” Goettl said. “I didn’t start the match off the way I wanted to, but came back and got the fall. Our team needed it.”
Iowa State extends its lead in the all-time series against Arizona State to 25-6 overall.
“I think it’s important to build momentum going into the Missouri match,” Iowa State head coach Kevin Jackson said. “It gives us a little motivation and some more energy going into that match.”
In his first dual appearance since the Dec. 4 Iowa meet, 184-pounder Boaz Beard earned a 10-5 decision over Sun Devil grappler Kevin Radford. Redshirt freshman Mikey England impressed at 174 pounds with a 12-2 major decision over ASU’s Jacob Graham.
Cyclone captain Andrew Sorenson scored bonus points with a dominating technical fall at 6:28 over Hans Rasmussen at 165 pounds. Fourth-ranked Sorenson defeated Rasmussen 21-5 and improves to 17-1 overall.
Iowa State is back in action Sunday as the Cyclones play host to No. 12 Missouri. The Big 12 battle is set to begin at 2 p.m. (CST) in Hilton Coliseum.
Iowa State 25, Arizona State 14125: Ryak Finch (ISU) Mdec. Dalton Miller (ASU), 11-3 133: Shane McGough (ASU) Mdec. Shayden Terukina (ISU), 15-4 141: Luke Goettl (ISU) pinned Nathan Hoffer (ASU), 4: 157: Michael Moreno (ISU) dec. Victor DeJesus (ASU), 6-5 165: Andrew Sorenson (ISU) tech fall Hans Rasmussen (ASU), 23-5, 6:28 174: Mikey England (ISU) Mdec. Jacob Graham (ASU), 12-2 184: Boaz Beard (ISU) dec. Kevin Radford (ASU), 10-5 197: Tommy Burriel (ASU) Mdec. Cole Shafer (ISU), 11-3 285: Levi Cooper (ASU) dec. Matt Gibson (ISU), 4-1
