"Is that our best lineup out there? It doesn't matter because we believe in our guys," said Brands. "We've got some pretty tough wrestlers. Our depth is deep with tough wrestlers."
Iowa's victory over Iowa State marked the sixth straight victory for the Hawkeyes over the Cyclones, second this season, and 36th in 38 meetings.
"We're going to get them," said Iowa State coach Kevin Jackson. We're going to get them. We're going to get them. I'm telling your right now ... We're going to get them."
Iowa won crucial matches at 125, 157, and 165, which proved to be the difference.
At 125, Iowa's Matt McDonough, who is ranked No. 4, got things rolling for the Hawkeyes as the picked up a 9-7 victory over fifth-ranked Andrew Long in an action-packed match. It marked McDonough's third victory over Long this season.
Iowa State's Nick Fanthorpe, who is ranked No. 8, evened the dual at 3-3 with an 8-3 victory over Nate Moore at 133. After a scoreless first period, Fanthorpe picked up two takedowns in the second period and led 5-2 heading into the third period. Fanthorpe added another takedown and with an additional riding time point closed out the 8-3 victory.
But things went downhill for the Cyclones after 133. The Hawkeyes won the next five matches, including tossup matches at 157 and 165.
At 157, Iowa's Aaron Janssen and Iowa State's Andrew Sorenson battled to a 1-1 tie at the end of regulation. But in sudden victory, Janssen picked up a takedown to win the match 3-1 and give the Hawkeyes a 12-3 lead.
"We needed to win 157," said Jackson. "157 is hurting us. Right now 157 is hurting us. I've got to find the guy. It hurt us. We've got to win that match. We win that match, we're in business."
At 165, Iowa's fifth-ranked Ryan Morningstar and Iowa State's third-ranked Jon Reader battled for the sixth time over the past two seasons. Morningstar won all three meetings last season. This year, however, Reader took the first two meetings and appeared to have the upperhand in the rivalry. But on Sunday it was Morningstar who came out on top, picking up a 5-4 come-from-behind victory over Reader.
"He's gutsy," Brands said of Morningstar. "He's been gutsy his whole career. I'm not surprised. He stays in the match. He's slow-twitch. He takes his time. He tripods up. He hits those long shots. He gets his hands locked. He comes up and scores takedowns. To win nationals, Ryan Morningstar has to score takedowns."
Iowa's second-ranked Jay Borschel cruised to an easy 10-2 victory over No. 14 Duke Burk at 174, which marked his fourth victory over a ranked opponent over the two-day event. Borschel was named Most Outstanding Wrestler of the event.
Iowa State won the last three matches, including No. 11 Jerome Ward beating No. 6 Phil Keddy for the second time this season, but it was too little too late as the Hawkeyes came away with the 19-12 victory.
While Jackson was visibly upset about the loss, he loves what the Iowa-Iowa State rivalry is all about.
"I love it," said Jackson. "Nothing like it. I love the intensity. I love competition. We all know without good competition, it's not any fun. So I love it. I wish we had another match."
Results:
125: Matt McDonough (Iowa) dec. Andrew Long (Iowa State), 9-8
133: Nick Fanthorpe (Iowa State) dec. Nate Moore (Iowa), 8-3
141: Dan LeClere (Iowa) dec. Dalton Jensen (Iowa State), 7-2
149: Brent Metcalf (Iowa) dec. Mitch Mueller (Iowa State), 7-3
157: Aaron Janssen (Iowa) dec. Andrew Sorenson (Iowa State), 3-1 SV
165: Ryan Morningstar (Iowa) dec. Jon Reader (Iowa State), 5-4
174: Jay Borschel (Iowa) major dec. Duke Burk (Iowa State), 10-2
184: Jerome Ward (Iowa State) dec. Phillip Keddy (Iowa), 7-5 SV
197: Jake Varner (Iowa State) dec. Luke Lofthouse (Iowa), 7-1
285: David Zabriskie (Iowa State) dec. Jordan Johnson (Iowa), 4-1
Ohio State dominates Minnesota to finish third
Ohio State bounced back from a semifinal loss to Iowa State to defeat Minnesota, 26-12, for third place. Minnesota's Zach Sanders started the dual meet with a dominating 10-3 victory over Nikko Triggas at 125 to put the Gophers up 3-0, but Ohio State claimed the next five matches, which all but sealed the deal as the Buckeyes rolled to an easy victory.
"In the semifinal match, I think we got a taste at a couple weight classes of just not wrestling hard enough," said Ohio State coach Tom Ryan. "The guys with the most energy win. You come here on the weekend looking to win it ... and I think we realized that we have a lot of work to do in several weight classes."
Ohio State's Reece Humphrey, who entered the weekend ranked No. 1 at 141, bounced back from two losses on Saturday to win both matches on Sunday, including a 5-3 victory over No. 7 Mike Thorn of Minnesota.
"He didn't have a great weekend," said Ryan. "He didn't feel great. He was kind of beat up, but he battled back. It's what winners do. It's good to see him come back and get two wins. Thorn is no pushover. He's a heck of a wrestler. Reece did a good job to get that win."
Even though the NCAA championship team won't be crowned until March, Ryan says the National Duals is an important event for Ohio State.
"I think there is a virus in the sport," said Ryan. "The virus is that the only thing that matters is the national tournament ... and that's not real life. One weekend a year isn't enough. We learn a lot about our team. These guys are beat up, banged up. But you know what ... Parents, business owners go to work beat up, banged up. That's real life stuff. We take this event very seriously. Whether the NCAA sanctions it or not, we don't care. This is a team event and we come here to win it."
Results:
125: Zach Sanders (Minnesota) dec. Nikko Triggas (Ohio State), 10-3
133: Ian Paddock (Ohio State) dec. Thane Antczak (Minnesota), 6-4
141: Reece Humphrey (Ohio State) dec. Mike Thorn (Minnesota), 5-3
149: Lance Palmer (Ohio State) dec. Mario Mason (Minnesota), 7-1
157: Tony Jameson (Ohio State) major dec. Joe Grygelko (Minnesota), 18-9
165: Colt Sponseller (Ohio State) major dec. Nate Matousek (Minnesota), 11-1
174: Scott Glasser (Minnesota) dec. Dave Rella (Ohio State), 8-3
184: Mike Pucillo (Ohio State) won by forfeit
197: Sonny Yohn (Minnesota) pinned Cody Magrum (Ohio State), 2:05
285: Corey Morrison (Ohio State) dec. Ben Berhow (Minnesota), 9-4
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