"The seniors did a great job and they wrestled hard and scored a lot of points," head wrestling coach Cael Sanderson said. "The team performed at a really high level, they got after it and we're going to be hard to beat."
At 157-pounds, Trent Paulson used two takedowns and a three-point nearfall to register his 105th career win, a 9-0 major decision over Nathan Galloway. After a scoreless first period, the third-ranked Paulson scored an escape and a takedown in the second to take a 5-0 lead. Starting the third period from neutral, Paulson took Galloway down and nearly pinned him, but was awarded a three-point nearfall. The shutout by the two-time All-American is his second of the season. Paulson improves his mark to 19-4.
"It was awesome," Paulson said. "All of the family and friends have been here since square one and supported me. I'm happy where I'm at. The time at Iowa State seemed to go by way too fast."
Travis Paulson followed up his twin brother's performance with a 5:44 stick of Robbie Morrison at 165 pounds. Paulson, ranked third, registered three takedowns in the opening period, taking a 6-2 advantage. During the second period he added three more takedowns to go up 13-4 on the Bronc. Morrison escaped to begin the final three minutes, but Paulson, a two-time All-American, answered with a takedown that led to his first pin of the season. Paulson is two wins shy of becoming the 33rd Cyclone to reach 100-career victories. His record stands at 20-4 in his senior campaign.
"It's been great to cap it off with a pin for the fans," Paulson said. "I knew my conditioning in the third period would pay off and I just kept the offense going."
Turner picked up his 10th win of the season with a dramatic 6-5 decision of No. 8 Doug Umbehauer. Umbehauer put the first points on the board with an escape to begin the second period, but Turner replied with a takedown. Umbehauer escaped again to even the score, 2-2. Turner, a native of Johnston, took the lead for good in the final three minutes with two escapes and a takedown.
"I've enjoyed every opportunity to come out here and represent ISU," Turner said. "I give it my best when I'm out there and it's great to go out with a win. The fans in Hilton Coliseum are the best to wrestle for in the country, no question. The atmosphere, the fans are understanding, appreciative and Cael's got this program going in the right direction."
Backes became the 32nd Iowa State grappler to reach the 100-career victories plateau as he decisioned No. 14 T.J. Morrison, 8-3. Backes battled back from an early 2-0 deficit by scoring a reversal and a takedown to take a 5-3 lead into the final period. He scored a two-point nearfall midway through the third period to seal the win. The Neshanic Station, N.J. native is 20-4 on the season.
"The Hilton experience has just gotten better and better," the All-American said. "It's a big honor to be even mentioned in the same group as Cael (Sanderson) and many other wrestling greats. I've put in the work in the room and I've progressed to where I think I should be."
Nick Fanthorpe and Jake Varner provided the Cyclones with pins at 125- and 184-pounds, respectively. Fanthorpe, ranked eighth, stuck Thomas Lorenzo in 3:14 to pick up his fourth pin of the year and is now 20-7. Varner tallied his 11th pin, sticking Mike Miller in 6:04. Ranked fifth at 184 pounds, Varner improves to 22-4 this season.
Six seniors were honored prior to the dual: the Paulsons, Turner, Backes, Mike Somsky and Richard Schopf.
The Iowa State wrestling team will travel to Columbia, Mo., to take on the second-ranked Missouri at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Hearnes Center.
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