Iowa State Wrestling returned to Hilton Coliseum for the first time this year on Sunday and exited with an impressive 31-6 win over Fresno State.
The Cyclones showed aggression and consistency from start to finish with the exception of a few holes.
“Overall up and down the line-up I thought we did pretty well,” head coach Kevin Dresser said.
CFTV: Head coach Kevin Dresser shares his initial thoughts walking out of today’s 31-6 win over Fresno State. #Cyclones pic.twitter.com/fN3BlGNZ9C
— Jacqueline (@JacquelineCord) January 13, 2019
Toughness was more present then ever
Ian Parker (141), Marcus Coleman (174), Sam Colbray (184), Gannon Gremmel (HWT) and Austin Gomez (133) all had at least one takedown in the third period.
That’s relevant because something the Cyclones have been missing is the power to stay consistently tough through the entire seven minutes. The performance vs. the Bulldogs hinted that it might not be a major issue moving forward.
Along with the late takedowns, redshirt sophomore Alex Mackall (125) pulled a pin in the third period after having garnered a 12-3 lead with a takedown and back points in the second period. Redshirt sophomore Jarrett Degen (149) ended the third period with 3:32 of riding time.
Gremmel may have put some concerns to rest with a win against AJ Nevills in a 6-5 decision. Gremmel was able to hold a steady lead the entire seven minutes. Although Nevills got a late takedown to bring the deficit to one point, Gremmel held on strong until it mattered: when the final buzzer went off.
Coach Dresser gives praise to redshirt sophomore Gannon Gremmel after an impressive performance today at heavyweight. #Cyclones pic.twitter.com/4RKrfPIXkT
— Jacqueline (@JacquelineCord) January 13, 2019
The team that went from only making noise in a couple weight classes seems to finally be making some noise as a whole.
“When you get more wins you get more confidence,” said Dresser.
Listen to what led Marcus Coleman to get such an impressive 14-1 major decision win today against FS Dominic Kincaid. #Cyclones pic.twitter.com/2KhjjTRKaH
— Jacqueline (@JacquelineCord) January 13, 2019
Questions lingering around the two losses of the day
Redshirt junior Chase Straw (157) and redshirt senior Willie Miklus (197) both lost their matches in overtime.
Miklus lost his match in a sudden victory against Josh Hokit.
In this matchup, the aggression and excitement was completely absent. There were no points scored in the first period and the only action that came in the second period was a Miklus escape after choosing to start down.
“Willie’s very unique,” Dresser said. “He’s got some funk, but sometimes, you have to go back to the basics. I’ve watched Willie wrestle a lot over the years. In that match, he needed to just go back to the basics.”
#CFTV: Willie Miklus had a tough loss in a sudden victory. Dresser discusses what can be worked on to avoid getting in those situations. #Cyclones pic.twitter.com/UZ62aBSqcH
— Jacqueline (@JacquelineCord) January 13, 2019
Straw went into a tiebreaker after he seemed to lose his spark by allowing an escape and giving up a stalling point in the third period to tie it at four.
Logan Schumacher shows a glimmer of hope at 165
It has been evident that 165 pounds has held the most concern within Iowa State’s lineup. True freshman Logan Schumacher took the stage for the first time when the Cyclones recently traveled to North Dakota State.
Schumacher brought the place to its feet after defeating Brandon Martino in a 11-7 decision.
Schumacher has a lot of room for growth but shows a hopeful future. What makes him standout, besides having proved himself in a five man wrestle off, was that he was aggressive. The rookie was not afraid to make moves or take a shot.
“He threw some stuff out there,” Dresser said. “You get seven minutes to make something happen so if one thing isn’t working, go to another thing. I like the fact that he threw it out there.”
Austin Gomez: a leader on and off the mat
Dresser has said time and time again that his team is headed up by guys who lead by example. Gomez has definitely led by example but with poise and confidence has been a voice for the new culture of Iowa State.
Even when Gomez does not perform at his best, he still wins.
“Gomez is pushing the pace all the time,” said Dresser.
Against Fresno, he won in impressive fashion as he closed out the day with a 24-5 tech fall.
Hear @AGomez133 describe how putting his guy through the “Gomez Gauntlet” is just him having fun. pic.twitter.com/Ol7EMGxIfW
— Jacqueline (@JacquelineCord) January 13, 2019
The Cyclones are showing consistency, what is the next step?
#CFTV: Dresser discusses what is making the team buy in. #Cyclones pic.twitter.com/qIdSIaPPk8
— Jacqueline (@JacquelineCord) January 13, 2019
Although the Cyclones have been showing consistency and seem to be finding their groove the question lingers, what is next?
What will it take for the Cyclones to show they are on to the next step.
“If you wrestle a perfect day you win 10 and that’s saying something,” Dresser said.
Iowa State will have its next chance to compete with a road trip New Jersey to compete against Rider on Jan. 17.
“We’re progressing and it’s showing out there,” Dresser said.
Austin Gomez discusses what it means to the team to buy in to what Dresser preaches in the wrestling room. #Cyclones pic.twitter.com/fpW6apAKye
— Jacqueline (@JacquelineCord) January 13, 2019
SUNDAY RESULTS
141: Ian Parker (ISU) maj. dec Chris Deloza (FS), 19-5
149: Jarrett Degen (ISU) dec. Khristian Olivas (FS), 11-5
157: Jacob Wright (FS) dec. Chase Straw (ISU), 5-4 (TB1)
165: Logan Schumacher (ISU) dec. Brandon Martino (FS), 11-7
174: Marcus Coleman (ISU) maj. dec. Dominic Kincaid (FS), 14-1
184: Sam Colbray (ISU) dec. Jackson Hemauer (FS), 8-7
197: Josh Hokit (FS) dec. Willie Miklus (ISU), 4-2 (SV)
285: Gannon Gremmel (ISU) dec. A.J. Nevills (FS), 6-5
125: Alex Mackall (ISU) pinned Robert Garcia (FS), 5:54
133: Austin Gomez (ISU) tech. fall Gary Joint (FS), 24-5 (5:32)
