WRESTLING: ISU holds off UNI at West Gym

The following is a news release from ISU Athletics Communications: 

CEDAR FALLS – When Dane Pestano stepped onto the mat for the final match of the evening, No. 16 Iowa State (9-5, 1-2 Big 12) trailed Northern Iowa (3-8, 2-4 MAC) 16-15. With his 8-2 dec. over UNI’s Drew Foster, the Cyclones came away victorious in West Gym, 18-16.

With the addition of Patrick Downey, Marcus Harrington bumping up to heavyweight, Nathan Boston continuing to man the 141-pound slot and Dante Rodriguez filling in the hole at 149-pound left by sidelined Gabe Moreno, Kevin Jackson’s line-up had a much different look in Cedar Falls than it has all year.

Iowa State vs. Northern Iowa

 At the intermission, the Cyclones led 12-6 following wins from Patrick Downey, Earl Hall and Nathan Boston.

Making his debut for the Cardinal and Gold, Downey faced Cody Krumeiede of Northern Iowa. Downey was dominant in this match up. He scored on two takedowns and was great on defense. He didn’t yield a takedown and went on to win the matchup, 5-2.

Marcus Harrington bumped up to heavyweight to face UNI’s Blaize Cabell. It was the Panther who came away with the 9-4 decision. Kyle Larson was pitted against No. 9 Dylan Peters at 125 pounds. Larson fought hard and was within one score at the final buzzer, but fell short in his efforts of an upset bid, 9-7.

No. 8 Hall brought the Cyclone faithful to their feet in his matchup at 133 pounds. Leading 2-0 in the second period, Hall was in the bottom position. After struggling to climb to his feet, he was able to reverse the position. He locked up a cradle on No. 12 Josh Alber and secured the fall in 4:17.

At 141-pounds, Boston picked up his first dual win of the season and of his career. He too did not give up a takedown on the evening, scoring two of his own to defeat the Panthers’ Trevor Jauch by 5-0 decision.

Following the intermission, the Cyclones dropped the next three matches to the Panthers. Adam Perrin knocked off Dante Rodriguez, 14-4, Renaldo Rodriguez-Spencer fell to Bryce Steiert by 12-6 dec. and No. 10 Tanner Weatherman dropped a 3-1 dec. in sudden-victory to No. 19 Cooper Moore.

Heading to the 174-match, Iowa State trailed 16-12. Lelund Weatherspoon narrowed that margain with a 6-2 dec. over Kyle Lux. Weatherspoon scored on two takedowns, an escape and rode hard for 1:13 to grab a victory.

The 184-pound bout decided the dual. It was Dane Pestano vs. Drew Foster in the final matchup of the night. The redshirt sophomore out of Waimanalo, Hawaii, scored on three takedowns and dominated in the top position. With 1:31 of riding-time, Pestano downed Foster, 8-2.

Up Next…
Iowa State returns home for their final competition in Hilton Coliseum for the season. The Cyclones will take on West Virginia next Sunday, Feb. 14 at 2 p.m. The Iowa State wrestling program will be commemorating 100 years of wrestling that afternoon during the dual.

Iowa State – Northern Iowa Match-by-Match
197: Patrick Downey (ISU) dec. Cody Krumwiede(UNI), 5-2.
285: Blaize Cabell (UNI) dec. Marcus Harrington (ISU), 9-4.
125: Dylan Peters (UNI) dec. Kyle Larson (ISU), 9-7.133: Earl Hall (ISU) fall. Josh Alber (UNI), 4:17.
141: Nathan Boston (ISU) dec. Trevor Jauch (UNI), 5-0.
149: Jake Hodges (UNI) maj. dec. Dante Rodriguez (ISU), 14-4.
157: Bryce Steiert (UNI) dec. Renaldo Rodriguez Spencer (ISU), 12-6.
165: Cooper Moore (UNI) dec. Tanner Weatherman (ISU), 3-1 (SV-1).
174: Lelund Weatherspoon (ISU) dec. Kyle Lux (UNI), 6-2.
184: Dane Pestano (ISU) dec. Drew Foster, 8-2.