After losing the last nine meetings, the Cyclone wrestling team was looking for a change.

Iowa State (5-1) hosted in-state rival Iowa on Sunday afternoon in an attempt to record the first victory in the Cy-Hawk series for the program since 2004. Iowa (4-0) prevailed, however, winning the match 23-9.

“It was a much better match than we had last year,” said ISU coach Kevin Jackson. “This match is going to be a valuable tool for us going forward into the season. All in all I’m proud of my guys, and I’m excited about the direction of our program.”

The No. 4 Hawkeyes didn’t miss a beat early, defeating both Tanner Weatherman and Lelund Weatherspoon in the first two matches. Weatherman and Weatherspoon both fell to top-ranked opponents 10-1 and 4-0, respectively.

With the Cyclones down early, they needed a spark to stay in the match. That’s exactly what they got.

No. 3 Kyven Gadson took on Iowa’s Sam Brooks at 197 pounds, a weight class that has typically been successful for the Cyclones this season.

Gadson took the lead early with a takedown in the first period and then held on to win 3-2.

“I think that this team has the capability of something special,” Gadson said. “That starts with beating Iowa. I know we didn’t do that today, but we did make strides today, and we will be there in March.”

The Cyclones weren’t content with just one win. Quean Smith came to the mat next for the 285 pound match. Smith led for the majority of the match, but Iowa’s Terrance Jean-Jacques fought back to force an overtime period.

Within five seconds in overtime, Smith had recorded a takedown, winning the match 6-4.

“I need to improve still on many positions,” Smith said. “I need to work harder and keep pushing, because I never know when I’m going to go to overtime again.”

After Smiths match, Iowa State had cut the Iowa lead to one point, trailing 7-6. But that’s where the meet went downhill.

Iowa won five of the next six matches, effectively winning the match 23-9, and handing the Cyclones their first loss of the season.

In the final match of the night, No. 3 Michael Moreno took on No. 7 Nick Moore, a match that had drawn a lot of attention prior to the start of the dual. The two had met before, once in the dual last year, and once at the NCAA Championships.

Moreno and Moore were locked in at 1-1 with one minute remaining in the match, when Moore recorded a takedown to take the match 3-1.

With several matches decided in the final minute Sunday, Jackson wants to use the matches as fuel to improve for later in the season.

“I’m not happy with leaving a couple of matches out there that we could have won,” Jackson said. “We have to continue to improve, and this match gives us a lot to work on moving forward.”

Iowa State will compete next in the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational this weekend. Jackson knows how important it will be to stay focused and not dwell on the last meet.

“We’re better than what we showed tonight. I know it, and they know it,” Jackson said. “We’re going to continue to improve, and we’re going to beat the Hawks. It’s coming.”