The ISU wrestling team found itself in a field of 34 teams at the Southern Scuffle to begin the new year on Wednesday.

The first round of the Southern Scuffle, a two-day, open tournament hosted by the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, came to a close with three Cyclones destined for quarterfinal action. Lelund Weatherspoon and Tanner Weatherman — both wrestling at 174 pounds — as well as All-American Kyven Gadson at 197 pounds advanced for the Cyclones.

Weatherspoon earned a pin and a decision in the first two rounds before outlasting former ISU wrestler now at Missouri Mike England for the 4-2 decision in the round of 16. He will face No. 1 seed Chris Perry of Oklahoma State in the quarterfinals.

It took an extra period for Weatherman to get the best of Kyle Crutchmer of Oklahoma State, earning a 9-5 decision and a spot in the quarterfinals against Logan Storley of Minnesota.

Gadson pinned his way to the round of 16 where he took a 3-2 decision against Robert Isley of Air Force. He will go against Brandon Palik of Drexel in the quarterfinals.

Iowa State is sitting at fifth place in the team scores with 39.5 points, just a half point behind Cornell. Nine Cyclones are in the consolation bracket, including All-American Michael Moreno at 165 pounds.

Minnesota is leading the team scores after the first day with 53.5 points.