No. 2 Hawkeyes hammer No. 9 Illinois
IOWA CITY — The No. 2 University of Iowa wrestling team won eight of 10 matches to put together a 28-6 victory over ninth-ranked Illinois on Friday night at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
The Hawkeyes outscored the Illini in total match points 69-21 and had 15 takedowns to just one for Illinois.
“I know that we need to work harder at scoring points,” said Iowa head coach Tom Brands.
Joey Cruz got things started for the Hawkeyes with bonus points at 125 pounds to open the dual, defeating Caelan Riley via major decision, 13-3.
In a top-five matchup at 133, Drake Ayala used a third-period takedown with 40 seconds left to win over No. 2 Lucas Byrd, 4-2.
Illinois got on the board at 141 with No. 12 Danny Pucino defeating Ryder Block, 4-3. Kyle Parco got the Hawkeyes back in the win column against No. 12 Kannon Webster, winning a 1-0 decision.
At 157, true freshman Miguel Estrada picked up his first career ranked win in his Carver-Hawkeye Arena debut by defeating No. 20 Jason Kraisser, 3-2.
Michael Caliendo came out after the break and put together a 20-4 technical fall over 11th-ranked Braeden Scoles at 165. At 174, Patrick Kennedy defeated No. 21 Danny Braunagel, 5-0.
Gabe Arnold picked up a top-10 win at 184 pounds over No. 10 Edmond Ruth winning a 5-1 decision.
Stephen Buchanan notched his 10th bonus-point win of the season by defeating No. 18 Zac Braunagel, 13-2, at 197.
Illinois closed out the dual with a win at heavyweight as No. 11 Luke Luffman defeated No. 12 Ben Kueter, 3-1.
No. 2 Iowa 28, No. 9 Illinois 6
125–Joey Cruz (IA) major dec. Caelan Riley, 13-3; 133–Drake Ayala (IA) dec. Lucas Byrd, 4-2; 141–Danny Pucino (IL) dec. Ryder Block, 4-3; 149–Kyle Parco (IA) dec. Kannon Webster, 1-0; 157–Miguel Estrada (IA) dec. Jason Kraisser, 3-2; 165–Michael Caliendo (IA) tech. falled Braeden Scoles, 20-4; 174–Patrick Kennedy (IA) dec. Danny Braunagel, 5-0; 184–Gabe Arnold (IA) dec. Edmond Ruth, 5-1; 197–Stephen Buchanan (IA) major dec. Zac Braunagel, 13-2; 285–Luke Luffman (IL) dec. Ben Kueter, 3-1.