After dropping the first three matches, the third-ranked Iowa State wrestlers won six of the next seven to defeat seventh-ranked Minnesota on Sunday, 21-12.

“We’re getting better,” head coach Bobby Douglas said. “We wrestled very well tonight, and I’m very pleased with the effort and energy I saw. It was a change from the last meet.”

Cyclone heavyweight Scott Coleman, ranked 10th, fell to fourth-ranked Cole Konrad. Neither wrestler could muster a takedown in regulation, and Konrad’s takedown in the second overtime proved to be the difference in a 4-3 match.

With the Cyclones behind 9-0, top-ranked 141-pounder Nate Gallick won by technical fall over Manuel Rivera. Gallick never trailed and ended the match with a takedown and a 23-7 win.

Sixth-ranked Trent Paulson won by major decision at 157 pounds. Like Gallick, Trent Paulson never trailed and broke open a 4-2 lead into an 11-2 victory.

“I was pretty happy about getting that last takedown and the bonus points for the team,” Trent Paulson said. “It was definitely a confidence booster to know when I had to score I could.”

In a match between the fifth and sixth-ranked wrestlers at 165-pounds, fifth-ranked Travis Paulson defeated Matt Nagel 3-1 with a takedown late in the third period.

In one of the most exciting matches of the night, freshmen David Bertolino used the momentum generated by the crowd at Hilton Coliseum to beat Josh McLay 7-2. Bertolino scored two late takedowns to pull away and ride McLay to the buzzer.

“Bertolino made a great effort and helped with momentum,” Douglas said. “Minnesota’s got a really good team.”

Bertolino said his absence from the usual starting lineup as well the people around him has helped to motivate him this season.

“Something is in me,” Bertolino said. “I just keep going at it. I have that determination and my mom calls me all the time. She calls and gives me that determination and motivation to keep training.”

With the Cyclones ahead 15-12 and only two matches remaining, 184-pounder Kurt Backes ran his record to 17-2 with an 8-3 decision over seventh-ranked Roger Kish. Backes scored four third-period points to put the team ahead 18-12 and secure the Cyclones no less than a tie.

“[Kish] is a tough kid,” Backes said. “It just depends on who shows up on the mat. I just believe that I work harder.”

The win pushes the Cyclones’ dual record to 11-0.

In addition to the victory over Minnesota, the Cyclones placed third at the Midlands Championships and defeated Tennessee-Chattanooga during the holiday break.

Nate Gallick added a Midlands Championship to go along with his 16-0 record. Gallick led the Cyclones to a third-place finish behind Iowa and champion Illinois. Travis Paulson, Grant Nakamura and Kurt Backes all finished second and Trent Paulson finished third in their respective weights.