The Iowa Hawkeye wrestling team completed the annual Wrestle Off this weekend, and while questions still remain about the starting lineup, a few Hawkeye wrestlers established themselves as favorites at their weight classes.




TYLER CLARK LOOKS TO BE READY TO WRESTLE FOR THE HAWKEYES AFTER TRANSFERRING FROM ISU IN 2008

First of all, Tyler Clark found a way to pin Nate Moore, making the 133 spot an even bigger question mark. Last year Moore was the man to fill on for Daniel Dennis when Dennis suffered an injury mid-season. Clark sat out a year after transferring from Iowa State but is now in the lineup and looking more and more like the man for the job. Moore, who is ranked #9 by Intermat, but will need some outstanding work in practice to be named the starter by Friday.

Dylan Carew must have really been sick of the Wrestle Off, because he ended the three day intrasquad competition with a 9 second pin over Joe Moore. While it would have been nice to see Carew wrestle a full match, a win in 9 seconds will definitely get the attention of the coaching staff.

While pins look really nice on the stat sheet, but a better sign of domination over an opponent is a technical fall. Three Hawkeyes recorded tech falls, starting with Tony Ramos, who beat freshman Charlie Joseph 20-4 on Thursday night. Although Ramos is not going to be the starter this year, head coach Tom Brands will surly notice a big win in points.

On Friday, freshman Ethan Owens picked up a tech fall over sophomore Joe Moore at 141, but was unable to keep the pace when he lost to Mark Balweg. Balweg has likely secured his spot in the starting lineup, but as Owens develops over the season, the 141 spot could change places this year.

And finally, to no one’s great surprise, Matt McDonough posted a 20-3 tech fall over Matt Gurule. As the only returning All-American this year, McDonough will be expected to score in bunches while the rest of the team tries to figure out a lineup. Bonus points will be expected from McDonough this year, and it looks like he’s ready to deliver.

Jake Kerr defeated Aaron Janssen in a battle for 165 by a final of 9-3. Kerr and Janssen went back and forth last year for 157, and I was a little surprised to see both of them move up. Keer got the nod from Brands to represent the Hawks at 157 last year, and with the win is the all-out favorite for 165.

With the absence of both Kerr and Janssen, Derek St. John seems to have stepped up and put the 157 spot in a front headlock. St. John cruised through both of his matches, strong wins by seven and four points.

Other noteworthy matches include the final for heavyweight, where Blake Rasing defeated Jordan Johnson in sudden victory. After a 1-1 tie, Rasing was able to takedown Johnson for two points, the win, and an almost certain spot in the starting lineup on Friday.