Spartans Get Shutout in Hawkeye Country

Michigan State’s wrestling team, fresh off a victory at the Cradle Gear Invitational in Lock Haven, Pa. on December 29, went into Carver-Hawkeye Arena with some lofty expectations on Saturday. Unfortunately, the third-ranked Hawkeyes had other plans for the men of Sparta as Michigan State fell 41-0.

The Spartans started the meet at 125 pounds with Brenan Lyon losing to the Hawkeyes’ third-ranked Thomas Gilman in a 20-7 major decision.

From there, Spartan Garth Yenter got pinned by fourth-ranked Tony Ramos. Ninth-ranked Hawkeye Josh Dziewa recorded a 16-5 major decision against Brian Gibbs at 141 pounds to put Iowa up 14-0.

Sophomore Nick Trimble, rejuvenated after a first-place finish at the Cradle Gear Invitational, nearly upset Brody Grothus in the 149 match. Trimble ended up falling 3-2 due to riding time by Grothus.

Sophomore Roger Wildmo then fell by a score of 22-7 at 157 pounds to top-ranked and defending national champion Derek St. John.

The Spartan’s Nash brothers at 165 and 174 pounds both faced formidable opponents from the Hawkeyes. Bobby Nash was unfortunately pinned by Nick Moore in the final seconds of the third period, and Kevin Nash got teched by Alex Meyer 21-6.

At 184 pounds, twentieth-ranked John Rizqallah nearly upset No. 3 Ethan Lofthouse with a last second takedown in the first period to put him up 2-0. Lofthouse rallied throughout the match, getting an escape in the second, and sealed the victory with two dubious stalling calls on Rizqallah.

At 197 pounds, the Hawkeyes’ No. 11 Nathan Burak topped Nick Diarmid, 3-0.

In the main event of the evening, fourth-ranked Bobby Telford of Iowa snapped ninth-ranked Mike McClure’s 14-match winning streak with a  2-0 shutout victory. Neither wrestler scored in the first two periods, but Telford got on the board with a third period escape and also added a riding point to end the match.

The 5-5 Spartans have a bye next weekend and hope to return to action with a strong showing at home, Friday, January 17, hosting the Minnesota Golden Gophers in Jenison Field House at 7 p.m.

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Nick Carver is the host of Pinned Down for Impact Sports.

Photo: Michigan State University Wrestling

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