No. 3 Iowa defeats No. 2 Ohio State

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Traci Wagner (Iowa Sports Information)
01/26/2002


IOWA CITY, IA -- The University of Iowa wrestling team opened the Big Ten dual season with a 21-16 win over Ohio State Friday night in Columbus, OH. Iowa improved to 11-2 on the season, 1-0 in the Big Ten, with the win, while handing Ohio State its second loss of the season in front of 2,472 fans.    Hawkeye sophomore Luke Eustice started things off with a 4-2 decision over Ohio State's Jesse Leng at 125 pounds, and sophomore Cliff Moore kept things going with a 6-4 decision over Buckeye Jeff Ratliff at 133. Ohio State rebounded with a major decision at 141 before Hawkeye senior Mike Zadick kept his undefeated season intact with a 15-7 major decision over Keaton Anderson at 149. It was Zadick's first career win over Anderson, and the victory improved his season record to 22-0.    Ohio  State won the next two matches to take a 12-10 lead, but a 4-1 decision by sophomore Tyler Nixt at 174 and a match-ending 22-7 technical fall by junior Jessman Smith at 184 gave the Hawkeyes an 18-12 lead. The Buckeyes scored a major decision at 197 to put the team victory within reach, but Hawkeye freshman heavyweight Steve Mocco scored a takedown in sudden victory to defeat top-ranked Tommy Rowlands, 3-1, and seal the team win for Iowa. Mocco improved to 24-1 on the season with the victory.        Iowa will host Northwestern Sunday at 1 p.m. in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.