Midlands can clear up 133, 165 for Hawks
The Midlands Championships have served a multi-pronged purpose for Iowa wrestling in recent seasons.
The tournament has been both a mile marker for the Hawkeyes as they approach the midway point of the season and a testing ground for coach Tom Brands when Iowa has a lineup dilemma.
This trip to Northwestern’s Welsh-Ryan Arena is no different for the sixth-ranked Hawkeyes.
Iowa cruised through the first two months of the season, winning all seven of its dual meets, shutting out five opponents and posting victories in 63 of their 70 individual matches. Those were dual meets primarily against overmatched competition. This is a two-day grind against some of the best individuals in the country.
“It’s a bigger challenge,” Brands said. “It’s a two-day tournament where you’re going to have a lot of matches and each round gets tougher and tougher, so we’re going to find out what kind of tournament mentality we have.”
Brands might also find out who’s best suited to represent his team at two weights where Iowa has shuffled personnel this season. The Hawkeyes have used three different starters in dual meets at 133 pounds, and that’s not even including Tyler Clark, who won Iowa’s wrestle-off before suffering a hand injury.
Clark is ready to wrestle again and set to compete in a bracket that will also include teammate Tony Ramos, who, along with Nate Moore and Nick Trizzino, have helped Iowa win all seven of its dual matches at 133 this season.
Then there’s the ongoing battle between seniors Jake Kerr and Aaron Janssen. They spent last season vying for the job at 157. Janssen won the wrestle-off, lost his grip on the spot midway through the year and the Hawkeyes ultimately went with Kerr in the postseason.
Now they’re at 165. Kerr won 9-3 in the wrestle-off, but his lack of offensive output opened the door for Janssen to wrestle in Iowa’s dual win against Northern Iowa.
“There’s so much these guys can do to keep it in their hands, and I don’t know if they realize it,” Brands said. “Nate Moore and Ty Clark and Tony Ramos, there’s so much they can do to keep it in their hands.
“Jake Kerr had an opportunity after he beat Janssen, but he doesn’t make a move. We want guys who are going to make a move. We want guys who aren’t about (just) being on the team. It’s not about just being on the team. When you have a chance to end the speculation and the question marks and the controversy, end it. Thirty-three is a little bit different. Ramos has done a good job. Nate Moore is chomping at the bit. Ty Clark had a bad break, but now he’s got a chance.
“But don’t end up fourth, fifth and sixth. Win the damn thing in dominating fashion.”
Category: Wrestling
