Cyclones maintain momentum, defeat Kent State

Jake Calhoun

Only a few minutes separated Iowa State’s first two dual meet victories of the season.

The Cyclones (2-0, 0-0 Big 12) defeated No. 14 Kent State (0-1, 0-0 MAC), 22-19, on the heels of a 17-16 victory over Virginia Tech in Salem, Va.

Seniors Chris Drouin, Nate Carr Jr. and Jon Reader all pulled off their second victories of the day for the Cyclones.

Drouin defeated Chase Skonieczny by a decision of 11-4 in the 141-pound match. The former All-American notched four takedowns and a reversal and was awarded an extra point at the end for compiling 3:33 in riding time en route to the victory.

Carr Jr. defeated Marcel Clopton in a neck-and-neck 2-1 decision. A total riding time of 1:36 played a factor in Carr Jr.’s victory, as he was awarded the extra point at the end of the match, which was deadlocked at a 1-1 draw at the end of regulation.

One point shy of a technical fall, Reader recorded his second major decision of the day, defeating Chris Estep by a score of 22-8. Reader tallied eight takedowns, a reversal, a three-point nearfall and total riding time of 4:55 in the victory.

Heavyweight Kyle Simonson turned heads after pinning No. 14 Brendan Barlow in 6:18. The Algona native is in contention with Matt Gibson for the starting spot. Gibson lost in a 7-4 decision earlier today to Virginia Tech’s David Marone.

True freshman Brandon Jones made his debut in an ISU singlet, defeating the Golden Flashes’ Sean Collins in a 9-3 decision. The West Des Moines native is originally a 125-pounder, but wrestled in 133-pound starter Ben Cash’s absence.

The Cyclones continue their season tomorrow at the individual tournament portion of the Hokie Open.