The ISU wrestling team finished third in the team standings at the Big 12 Conference Tournament during the weekend, qualifying nine wrestlers for the national tournament in the process.The Cyclones totaled 67.5 points to finish only a half-point behind Oklahoma. Oklahoma State won the event with 85 points and advanced wrestlers in all 10 weight classes to the national tournament.Cael Sanderson (184) and Joe Heskett (165) won conference crowns while Cole Sanderson (157) and Perry Parks (174) finished second.Also qualifying for the national tournament for the Cyclones were Matt Azevedo (133), Zach Roberson (141), Billy Maldonado (149), Zach Thompson (197) and heavyweight Mark Knauer.”Overall, I thought we wrestled well,” ISU head coach Bobby Douglas said in a press release. “Cael and Joe competed like champions today and controlled the pace of their matches. “There were a few matches I would like to have back, but we competed well in the wrestlebacks this morning, and I think we are a confident team heading into the NCAA tournament.”The NCAA tournament is March 15 to 17 at Carver Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City.Cael Sanderson, ranked first in the nation, improved to 35-0 on the season by posting an 8-3 win over Oklahoma State’s Dan Cormier. It was the third conference title for Sanderson, who sports a career record of 114-0.In their last meeting, Sanderson struggled to score on a defensive-minded Cormier and was more prepared this time.”Cormier is a tough opponent,” Sanderson said. “I had watched [a] tape of our last match and realized how much he controlled the tie in that match. I think I controlled it more this time.”Heskett faced Oklahoma’s Robbie Waller in the 165-pound championship match and came out on top by a 5-1 score. The win was the 100th of Heskett’s career to go with just seven losses.One of those seven losses came to Waller during the season.”I wrestled more of my match this time,” Heskett said. “I feel good about how I’m wrestling and I think we are ready as a team.”Cole Sanderson was defeated 9-5 by second-ranked Bryan Snyder of Nebraska in the final match at 157. At 174, Parks was pinned in the first period by Tyrone Lewis of Oklahoma State.The Cyclones had a strong consolation round as five wrestlers battled back to get third. Placing third were Azevedo, Roberson, Maldonado, Thompson and Knauer.Thompson entered the tournament ranked second in the nation at 197 but was defeated by rival Mark Munoz of Oklahoma State in the semifinals. Thompson rebounded and defeated Oklahoma’s Wayman May, 3-1, for third.The Cyclones finished second at last season’s NCAA meet as Cael Sanderson won a title and Heskett and Thompson finished runner-up.Cole Sanderson, Azevedo and Knauer also are previous national qualifiers.