No. 16 Iowa State tries for perfection against West Virginia

Redshirt+senior+Tanner+Weatherman+wrestles+Central+Michigans+Jordan+Atienza+at+165+lbs.+Weatherman+won+the+match+for+the+cyclones+9-3.+The+Cyclones+and+Chippewas%C2%A0dueled+Jan+31+at+Hilton+Coliseum+in+Ames%2C+IA.%C2%A0
Gallery | 4 Photos
Eliza Sibley/Iowa State Daily
Redshirt senior Tanner Weatherman wrestles Central Michigan’s Jordan Atienza at 165 lbs. Weatherman won the match for the cyclones 9-3. The Cyclones and Chippewas dueled Jan 31 at Hilton Coliseum in Ames, IA. 

Brian Mozey
February 12, 2016

Undefeated.

It’s a term of rarity and honor in the world of sports. And No. 16 ISU wrestling team has the ability to be recognized in this small group of teams against West Virginia this weekend. 

The Mountaineers joined the Big 12 in the 2012-13 season. Throughout the past three years, Iowa State has a 4-0 record against West Virginia. The team can make it 5-0 as the Cyclones send their seniors off Sunday. 

“West Virginia is a newer team with a new coach, so maybe in the stage of rebuilding,” said senior Tanner Weatherman. “We still need to dictate our pace to make sure we can get the win.”

In past years, Iowa State has “dictated” its pace against West Virginia, leading to impressive wins. In the 2012-13 season, the Cyclones defeated the Mountaineers, 30-3, in the regular season and 45-3 in the Big 12 Duals.

In the last two season, Iowa State has back-to-back double-digit victories. Seniors Earl Hall and Weatherman have experienced wrestling the Mountaineers for the last three years and have a similar approach almost every time. 

“Throughout the last few years, we’ve had good matchups against West Virginia, and we look to dominate our opponents in every matchup,” Hall said.

This West Virginia match is not only the last Big 12 dual of the year for Iowa State but it’s also the last home dual for the seniors before the Big 12 Championships and graduation. Hall and Weatherman will take the mat at Hilton Coliseum for the last time in their careers.

“If Earl and Tanner could go out there and dominate their opponents to cap off their Iowa State career, that would be extremely exciting to me,” said coach Kevin Jackson. “They’ve been solid starters, they’ve been great students, they’ve been great citizens for our community and they’ve been great ambassadors for this program at Iowa State.”

Hall is in his third year at Iowa State after wrestling with the Junior World Team in the 2012-13 season. Weatherman is in his fifth year as a Cyclone after redshirting his first season.

Both Hall and Weatherman said there will be different types of emotions for each wrestler. The seniors are most excited for the 100-year anniversary ceremony.

This will be a night when some of the former wrestlers will come back to Hilton Coliseum to celebrate the ISU wrestling tradition. 

“The 100-year anniversary is just another reason why we need to step up our game and show these former wrestlers that the tradition still lives on,” Hall said. “Since this is my last home match, maybe I’ll do one last gator roll for the fans, but most importantly, have fun.”