ISU redshirt freshman 125-pounder Long had an outstanding holiday break. Long was seeded fourth heading into the prestigious Midlands Championships Dec. 29-30 in Evanston, Ill. After advancing due to forfeit in the initial round, the Creston, Iowa, native reeled off three straight pins. After sticking Seth Wright (New Mexico-Highlands) in 3:27 and Matt Steintrager (Central Michigan) in 2:15, Long recorded his third fall over top-seeded Brandon Precin. Long stuck the redshirting Northwestern All-American at the 4:20 mark. The Iowa Stater fell in the tournament finals to Iowa’s Matt McDonough in overtime, 9-7 (SV).
The Cyclone followed his Midlands runner-up finish with another impressive victory at Minnesota Jan. 3. Long, ranked 13th according to Intermat, took down No. 3 Zach Sanders of Minnesota by decision, 8-4. Sanders, who placed sixth at last year’s NCAA Championships, had no answer for Long’s continual offensive attack. The Iowa Stater iced the bout with a late third-period takedown. With a 6-4 lead late in the final period, Long went straight at his Gopher opponent for his third takedown of the match to win by decision, 8-4.
Long advances his record to 15-2 in his freshman campaign. He holds a 3-1 mark in dual action.
This is the second Big 12 weekly honor received by a Cyclone this season. Long's teammate Jake Varner(197) notched league accolades Dec. 21.
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