When Brian Stith stood up, Trent Paulson tripped or tossed him back down, and on the mat, the top-ranked Sun Devil couldn’t break free.

Paulson beat Stith of Arizona State in the NWCA All-Star Meet last Monday, then again Sunday afternoon in the sixth-ranked ISU wrestling team’s 40-0 dual win over the Sun Devils.

Second-ranked Paulson rode his way to both victories, first a 2-1 match decided by riding time, then a 2-0 win marked by Stith’s inability to score. A two-time All-American at 157 pounds, Paulson said the two wins were “good measuring stick” matches in the beginning of season, indicators that he is on track for an NCAA title.

“If I’m beating the top guys at the weight I’m training, then I’m going to keep doing what I’m doing,” he said.

Paulson now holds a 4-0 record against Stith and an 8-0 mark on the season. The Monday meeting between the two wrestlers was a tactical stalemate, with Paulson riding Stith for 1:41 in the third period to earn the victory.

Sunday’s match was far different, as Stith set the tone by landing a shot in the first minute. But Paulson countered when the first period finished scoreless and the Cyclone senior rode Stith out in the second.

His brother, Travis Paulson (165), faced Arizona State’s ninth-ranked Patrick Pitsch twice over break, winning both times. Sunday, he took Pitsch down with four seconds left in the first overtime period to win, 3-1.

“When you wrestle a quality opponent, it’s tough to beat him that second time,” Travis said. “But you’ve got to step it up. I don’t like winning in overtime. I like winning by eight, nine points. That’s too close for me.”

Redshirt freshmen Cyler Sanderson (149), Jake Varner (184) and David Zabriskie (HWT) recorded pins in the team’s first dual at Hilton. David Bertolino (174) was in the starting lineup for the first time this season, winning 9-2.

Bertolino beat teammate Grant Turner – the winner between the two at wrestle-offs – 8-6 in the semifinals of the Fullterton Open last Saturday. Coach Cael Sanderson said that the head-to-head record between the two didn’t affect the decision.

“They’re both similar in their ability,” Sanderson said. “The first few tournaments have shown they’re real close, so we have to go with our gut feeling, I guess, and that’s what we’re doing.”

Cael said he was pleased with the effort he saw from the team over break, but said there is still plenty to work on.

“Like any team, it’s early in the season . We look at the details and how to get better,” he said.

After a successful first month of the season, Iowa State now enters the heart of its competitive schedule. Next up for the Cyclones: a showdown on Sunday with intrastate rivals in Iowa City.

“The Iowa-Iowa State meet is always classic,” Trent Paulson said. “But I think we will dominate.”

Iowa State crowned three champions in the Fullerton Open and competed in the Kaufman-Brand Open over break. For full results, log on to Cyclones.com