Injuries proved to be a problem for the ISU wrestling team this weekend as the Cyclones were eliminated from the Cliff Keen National Duals after losing their first two duals Saturday in Cleveland, Ohio.

The Cyclones lost 26-15 to No. 20 Pennsylvania and 22-21 to No. 19 Northern Iowa.

With Grant Nakamura out with an elbow injury, the Cyclones were forced to forfeit at 125 pounds, giving both opponents an easy six points.

Sophomore Nate Gallick, the Cyclones’ 141-pounder, also sat out, trying to heal an ankle injury. Gallick’s replacement, Jesse Sundell, didn’t have much success for the Cyclones, dropping both of his matches and getting pinned once.

A third Cyclone, freshman 157-pounder Travis Paulson, stayed out of competition at the Duals.

Senior Brad Howard and freshman Jason Knipp filled in for the injured Paulson, but neither wrestler was able to win a match.

The Cyclones had four wrestlers who won both their matches. Zach Roberson, Trent Paulson, Nick Passolano and Kurt Backes all finished the day 2-0 for Iowa State.

Roberson, a senior ranked No. 1 at 133 pounds, tried to help fill Gallick’s void — wrestling at 141 during the dual against Pennsylvania. Roberson won his match while Sundell wrestled at 133 pounds.

Passolano, a junior, continued to wrestle well after recovering from an early-season knee injury. After losing to previously third-ranked Jacob Volkmann of Minnesota, Passolano has been almost unbeatable on his way to the No. 9 ranking.

The Cyclones will be in action again Saturday when they look to avenge their loss to Northern Iowa.

The match will begin at 4 p.m. in Cedar Falls.