Cyclones host Panthers at Hilton

Kyle+Simonson+looks+to+create+his+action+Sunday%2C+Jan.+23%2C+at+Hilton+Collseum.+

Photo: Yi Yuan/Iowa State Daily

Kyle Simonson looks to create his action Sunday, Jan. 23, at Hilton Collseum.

Jake Calhoun

Kyle Simonson has had his share of woes on the cardinal and gold mat at Hilton Coliseum.

When Northern Iowa (8-8, 2-0 WWC) comes to Ames for a dual meet against the Cyclones (7-8, 0-3 Big 12), it won’t be any easier for the ISU heavyweight.

“I just have to go out there and wrestle my match,” Simonson said. “I don’t have to force stuff, just be patient with it; not wrestle the way he wants, but push my style and make sure I’m doing what I have to to win.”

The Panthers feature No. 14 heavyweight Christian Brantley, who handed Simonson a loss at the UNI Open in the 2008-09 season.

In four matches at Hilton, Simonson is 1-3. His most recent home loss came against an unranked Blake Rosholt of Oklahoma State, 6-2.

“I haven’t really figured that out yet,” Simonson said of his struggles. “I just need to work on that and keep my act together. I don’t know what is really the problem, but I’m hoping to switch that around this weekend.”

Since his last home loss, Simonson has recorded two-straight major decisions to boost his overall record to 21-7, the second-highest win total on the team.

Another ISU wrestler will have a ranked opponent standing in his way Friday.

Trent Weatherman, a redshirt freshman, will be facing No. 19 David Bonin at 157 pounds — his first match at Hilton since being choked out after getting pinned by Oklahoma’s Chase Nelson on Jan. 21.

Since that incident, Weatherman has notched two straight pins, the first against No. 9 D.J. Meagher in Iowa State’s 30-16 loss to then-No. 2 Cornell.

“I think it was just a good weekend [in New York],” Weatherman said. “I put a few matches together and focused on wrestling for seven minutes and making it only about that, not really trying to think about anything else.”

The two victories brought Weatherman’s overall record to 12-12 with a 5-9 mark in dual meets.

Jon Reader will also be putting his perfection on the line against the Panthers’ Brice Wolf.

The senior 174-pounder is 28-0 on the season.

Action is slated to begin at 7 p.m. Friday.