Iowa has won 21 consecutive conference duals, and won or shared eight of the last nine Big Ten regular season titles.
Four seniors led the Hawkeyes in an event appropriately named "Senior Night." Seniors Brody Grothus, Edwin Cooper, Jr., Patrick Rhoads and Nathan Burak all earned wins to help Iowa finish the conference season 9-0 for the second straight year.
Grothus started the celebration with a pin at 141. Cooper won by major decision at 157. Rhoads scored a takedown in the final seconds to win, 4-2, at 165, and Burak's match was terminated after the second period with a 23-6 technical fall at 197.
"Just a good night for our seniors," Brands said. "Its senior night, it may not be the last home dual but it's a good night for the seniors. Four of our six seniors got to wrestle, and the other two (Jake Kadel, Kris Klapprodt) are great ambassadors for what we're about."
Grothus was leading 2-1 in the final minute of the first period when he tossed Tommy Cash to his back to record a fall in 2:30. Grothus was wrestling at Carver-Hawkeye Arena for the 15th time, but Friday's pin was his first in front of the home crowd.
"I am glad that I finally got one. It was worth the wait and we will have a lot of other chances ahead of us to get more," Grothus said.
Cooper, Jr. won his fourth straight at home. He scored three takedowns, was awarded four nearfall points, and totaled 5:16 riding time to defeat Jake Danishek, 13-1.
"Coach told me to pick up the intensity from the start and be a little more aggressive while scoring more points each period," Cooper said. "That's what I demonstrated out their tonight. I feel like I could have gave a little more but I did put up a lot of points, which is a great feeling."
Rhoads scored the winning takedown with two seconds remaining to defeat Bryce Martin, 4-2, and Burak scored 15 points in the second period to earn his team-best fourth technical fall.
"Bonus points are going to be big in the postseason," Burak said. "I think we won every match tonight, which is pretty dominating. This isn't our end goal but it's nice to get the win on senior night."
The Hawkeyes scored bonus points in seven matches to record the largest margin of victory in series history. Cory Clark opened the dual with a win by forfeit at 133. Sammy Brooks recorded a 23-8 technical fall at 184. Sam Stoll recorded his team-best eighth pin of the season at 285, and Thomas Gilman closed the dual with a 12-4 major decision over No. 19 Elijah Oliver at 125.
The Hawkeyes also got a decision from Brandon Sorensen at 149, and No. 7 Alex Meyer rallied from a 6-2 deficit to defeat No. 11 Nate Jackson, 8-7, at 174. Meyer's takedown in the final minute of the third period gave him a lead for the first time, and he finished the match with a 57-second ride that helped him remain undefeated in 14 career matches at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
Iowa returns to the mat Friday, Feb. 12 at Montana State-Northern. The Hawkeyes and Lights meet at 8 p.m. (CT) at Armory Gymnasium. Iowa returns home Monday, Feb. 22, to host the National Championships Dual Series. The Hawkeyes' opponent will be announced Feb. 14.
NOTES: Attendance was 8,521 … Iowa finished 9-0 in the Big Ten for the second straight year… The Hawkeyes were 75-15 in Big Ten matches… Iowa has won 21 consecutive Big Ten duals, the fourth longest streak in program history… Iowa clinched at least a share of the Big Ten regular season… Four Hawkeyes finished the conference season 9-0, Gilman, Sorensen, Meyer, and Stoll… Meyer (14-0) and Stoll are undefeated at Carver-Hawkeye Arena (9-0)… Iowa recorded its second Big Ten shutout of the season (Northwestern, 54-0), it the first time since 2009-10 Iowa shutout two Big Ten schools (Michigan, Michigan State, Northwestern).
Results:
133 -- #3 Cory Clark (IA) won by forfeit; 6-0
141 -- Brody Grothus (IA) pinned Tommy Cash (IU), 2:30; 12-0
149 -- #2 Brandon Sorensen (IA) dec. Luke Blanton (IU), 4-1; 15-0
157 -- #16 Edwin Cooper, Jr. (IA) major dec. Jake Danishek (IU), 13-1; 19-0
165 -- Patrick Rhoads (IA) dec. Bryce Martin (IU), 4-2; 22-0
174 -- #10 Alex Meyer (IA) dec. #11 Nate Jackson (IU), 8-7; 25-0
184 -- #7 Sammy Brooks (IA) tech. fall Matt Irick (IU), 23-8; 30-0
197 -- #3 Nathan Burak (IA) tech. fall Jake Masengale (IU), 23-6; 35-0
285 -- #7 Sam Stoll (IA) pin Fletcher Miller (IU), 3:26; 41-0
125 -- #2 Thomas Gilman (IA) maj. dec. #19 Elijah Oliver (IU), 12-4; 45-0 *
* - The Iowa bench was warned during the 125-pound match.
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