Defeated by Iowa State
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (Jan. 26, 2013) – In its first Big 12 home dual in program history, the West Virginia University wrestling program was defeated by Iowa State 30-3 at the WVU Coliseum.
“We have got to win where we are capable of winning, it is as simple as that,” said coach Craig Turnbull. “As far as effort, the effort was better than what we had in our previous dual meets. The battle was there. We had two overtime matches and a third one-point match. Those are the types of matches we need to win in order to get over that hump.”
Shane Young (125) looked to put the Mountaineers on top early, just as he did the Friday evening against Rutgers, but he was unable to convert takedowns on two separate single legs in the second and third period. The Cyclones Ryak Finch used the escape point to get the 1-0 decision win.
Along with Young, Colin Johnston (133) was also unable to get the momentum to swing in WVU’s favor, as he lost in overtime rideouts, 5-4.
“It has been a little bit frustrating with Shane because he has lost his confidence in choosing bottom position,” Turnbull said. “Colin is still suffering from the after effects of weight mismanagement right now, but there were times in his match that I did see glimpses of the old Colin that has been so successful.”
The lone win for the Mountaineers came at 141 pounds, as No. 13 Nathan Pennesi scored a 5-1 decision win over No. 19 Luke Goettl. After a scoreless first period, Pennesi nearly earned his first career pin, but Goettl worked his way to safety. Pennesi used that four-point swing, along with an escape point, to build a 5-0 lead.
“Nathan is becoming really consistent with his efforts,” Turnbull said. “Nathan is wrestling ranked opponents, and they are fights. He is getting better and better. He is willing to fight for every point until he splits the score and is able to take a close win.”
In the second match of the day that went into extra time, Jason Luster (157) was unable to ward off a takedown attempt by ISU’s Logan Molina with fewer than 30 seconds remaining in the overtime. The win by Molina stretched the Cyclones lead to 12-3.
After four consecutive decision wins at 165, 174, 184 and 197 pounds, ISU locked up the team match, as they moved its lead to 24-3.
ISU would put a final marker on the board at heavyweight, as No. 19 Matt Gibson earned a win by fall over WVU’s Phil Mandzik.
“Each person is learning something different in this experience,” Turnbull said. “They are wrestling substantial opponents that are fundamentally sound. They are learning though. Every point is going to be hard fought. It is really going to be a fight. It is just a great thing for us to be able to get these types of opponents now rather than at the national tournament for the first time.”
The Mountaineers will return to the mat on Saturday, Feb. 2, at 7 p.m., as they take on No. 17 Pitt at the Fitzgerald Field House in Pittsburgh, Pa.
Results
125: Ryak Finch (ISU) dec. Shane Young (WVU), 1-0
133: John Meeks (ISU) dec. Colin Johnston (WVU), 5-4
141: No. 13 Nathan Pennesi (WVU) dec. No. 19 Luke Goettl (ISU), 5-1
149: Max Mayfield (ISU) dec. Tre Miller-Scott (WVU), 4-1
157: Logan Molina (ISU) dec. Jason Luster (WVU), 4-2
165: No. 18 Michael Moreno (ISU) dec. Ross Renzi (WVU), 5-2
174: No. 17 Tanner Weatherman (ISU) dec. Bubba Scheffel (WVU), 8-4
184: No. 19 Boaz Beard (ISU) dec. Lance Bryson (WVU), 4-0
197: No. 8 Kyven Godson (ISU) dec. A.J. Vizcarrondo (WVU), 11-4
HWT: No. 19 Matt Gibson (ISU) win by fall Phil Mandzik (WUV), 5:39
Team Score: 30-3, Iowa State
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