WRESTLING: ISU wins Virginia Duals

 The following is a news release courtesy ISU Athletics Communications:

HAMPTON, Va. – The 2016 Virginia Duals title his heading to Ames, Iowa. The No. 18 Iowa State wrestling team (8-2, 1-0 Big 12) knocked off No. 5 Virginia Tech (7-2, 0-0 ACC) by a score of 16-14.

With his win at 165-pounds over David McFadden, Tanner Weatherman was named the tournament’s Outstanding Wrestler. The Huxley, Iowa native posted a 4-0 record for the tournament, with three bonus-point victories. 

Iowa State vs. Virginia Tech

The finals matchup between the Cyclones and the Hokies got off to a slow start for Iowa State. The Cardinal and Gold dropped three of the first four matches. It was Earl Hall’s match that provided fireworks early.

With seven seconds left in the third period, Hall trailed Dennis Gustafson, 5-4. On a restart, Hall reached around and came up with a reversal with just one second remaining on the clock. This was enough to put the Cyclones on the board with a 6-5 victory. 

Heading to the 157-pound bout featuring Logan Breitenbach and Jake Spengler, ISU trailed 8-3. Breitenbach’s 12-7 decision over Spengler sparked a three-match winning streak for the Cyclones. 

Tanner Weatherman and Lelund Weatherspoon each followed suit with wins of their own. At 165-pounds, Weatherman was pitted against David McFadden. For the second time in as many meetings with the Hokie, Weatherman got the better of McFadden. With 1:24 of riding-time, Weatherman secured a 4-1 victory.

Weatherspoon scored the lone bonus-points of the Virginia Duals finals. He defeated Cody Hughes by 12-4 major-decision behind 1:58 of riding-time.

At 197-pounds, Marcus Harrington put Iowa State up 16-11 heading into final matchup of the night. He wrestled hard and beat Virginia Tech’s Austin Gabel by 8-6 decision.

The heavyweight match featured Joe Scanlan and VT’s Ty Walz. In order to win the dual, the Hokies needed a pin out of Walz. They wouldn’t get it. In the end, it was Walz beating Scanlan by 10-3 decision.

Next Up

The Cyclones will remain on the road as they head to Tempe, Ariz. to take on Arizona State. Iowa State and the Sun Devils will wrestle Jan. 15 at 8 p.m. CT.

ISU – VT

125: Joey Dance dec. Kyle Larson, 6-1.

133: Earl Hall dec. Dennis Gustafson, 6-5.

141: Soloman Chisko dec. John Meeks, 6-2.

149: Sal Mastriani dec. Gabe Moreno, 6-3.

157: Logan Breitenbach dec. Jake Spengler, 12-7. (1:32 RT)

165: Tanner Weatherman dec. David McFadden, 4-1. (1:24 RT)

174: Lelund Weatherspoon maj. dec. Cody Hughes, 12-4. (1:58 RT)

184: Zack Zavatsky dec. Dane Pestano , 3-0.

197: Marcus Harrington dec. Austin Gabel, 8-6.

285: Ty Walz dec. Joe Scanlan, 10-3.