Iowa State shows improvement, goes 2-1 to start Virginia Duals

Redshirt Sophomore Markus Simmons wrestles against Northern Colorado wrestler Rico Montoya Jan. 5 in Hilton Coliseum.  The cyclones were narrowly defeated by the UNC Bears 20-22. 

Trevor Holbrook

Iowa State’s relatively young roster received some important mat-time on Friday.

The Cyclones showed improvement, finishing with a 21-18 win over Virginia, a 25-13 loss to No. 10 Arizona State and a 25-13 win over Old Dominion.

Virginia

To start the dual against Virginia, freshman 125-pounder Sinjin Briggs made his debut at Iowa State. The walk-on avoided getting pinned, but lost from a 20-4 technical fall.

Following Briggs, redshirt sophomore Markus Simmons lost 5-2, putting the Cyclones down 8-0.

Redshirt freshman 141-pounder Kanen Storr put Iowa State back on track, defeating Virginia’s Sam Martino 5-3. Iowa State trailed 8-3.

Jarrett Degen gave Iowa State its first lead of the dual, after Degen pinned Jake Keating in 1:00.

The bonus points carried into the 157-pound match for the Cyclones. Redshirt sophomore Chase Straw picked up a 24-6 technical fall; Iowa State controlled a 14-8 lead.

At 165-pounds, Skyler St. John lost 12-1, and Danny Bush lost at 174-pounds, 8-3. Virginia regained the lead, 15-14.

Redshirt senior Dane Pestano took back the lead for the Cyclones, after Pestano cruised to a 20-7 major decision.

Redshirt sophomore Joe Teague made his first dual appearance this season, but the 197-pounder failed to capitilize on the opportunity, losing 9-7. Virginia and Iowa State were tied at 18.

In the final match at heavyweight, Iowa State’s redshirt junior Marcus Harrington fell behind 1-0 after two periods. In the final period, Harrington came back to win the match, 3-2, while securing a victory for Iowa State.

Arizona State

After a short break, Iowa State matched up with No. 10 Arizona State.

The dual started with Briggs losing via technical fall again. Iowa State was behind 5-0.

Coach Kevin Dresser elected to start redshirt freshman Ian Parker at 133-pounds. It worked out for the Cyclones, as Parker managed to snag a 4-0 win.

At 141-pounds, Storr kept the momentum rolling. Storr picked up a 9-4 decision over Arizona State’s Nikko Villarreal.

Degen’s strong day continued against Arizona State. Degen won by a 16-8 major decision over Josh Maruca. Intermat has Maruca ranked as the No. 16 149-pounder.

Straw followed, losing 10-2 and cutting Iowa State’s lead to 10-9.

Redshirt junior Logan Breitenbach dropped his match at 165-pounds by a 15-7 major decision. Arizona State regained a 13-10 lead.

Danny Bush had a tough assignment against Arizona State’s Zahid Valencia. Intermat ranks Valencia as the top 174-pounder and in 2:26, the redshirt junior was pinned by Valencia. Arizona State’s lead grew to 19-10.

Iowa State turned to Pestano to chip away at the deficit. Arizona State’s Kordell Norfleet edged out Pestano, 3-2. Iowa State trailed 22-10.

Dresser stuck with Teague at 197-pounds. Teague controlled the match, snagging a 5-1 decision with 3:13 of riding time. Even with the win at 197, Iowa State was still behind 22-13.

Heavyweight Marcus Harrington closed out the dual for the Cyclones. Harrington lost to Arizona State’s Tanner Hall, 3-1.

Old Dominion 

After the 1-1 start, Iowa State earned a spot in the Silver Bracket.

Briggs received a fresh match, but the same result. The freshman lost in a 16-1 technical fall.

Parker started again at 133-pounds. The redshirt freshman added another victory with a 5-1 decision.

Storr faced the No. 13 141-pounder Alex Madrigal. Madrigal failed to finish the match due to a shoulder injury; the injury gave the Cyclones a 9-5 lead.

Degen continued his dominant day, securing a 9-2 decision over Kenan Carter.

After three-straight wins, Straw was unable to continue the streak for Iowa State. Straw lost 6-4, trimming the Cyclone lead to 12-8.

Before Old Dominion started to get too much momentum, Breitenbach slowed them down.

Breitenbach extended Iowa State’s lead to 15-8, after winning a 7-2 decision.

At 174-pounds, redshirt sophomore Hank Swalla lost 13-5. Iowa State led 15-12 with three matches remaining.

Against Old Dominion, Pestano bounced back after a loss from Arizona State’s Kordell Norfleet. The redshirt senior used all of the three periods to tie Old Dominion’s Antonio Agee.

In sudden victory, Pestano took down Agee, resulting in a win and Iowa State’s lead swelled to 18-12.

Redshirt freshman Sam Colbray saw his first action of the Virginia Duals against Old Dominion. Colbray seized the opportunity, racking up 17 points.

Colbray’s 17-6 major decision sealed the win for Iowa State.

Harrington added to the score with a 7-2 decision over Ali Wahab.

Iowa State will turn around and wrestle No. 20 Lock Haven on Saturday at 9 a.m.