Third-ranked Michigan defeats second-ranked Iowa in Friday night dual

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Larry Nugent (USA Wrestling)
02/15/2002


In a battle of nationally ranked #2 and #3 teams, it was Michigan pulling away to win.    The meet opened with the heavyweight class. The last time these teams met, Michigan's Matt Brink wasn't in the line-up. Iowa's Steve Mocco was expected to be tested by the veteran Brink. However, it was all Mocco as he used a 1st period foot sweep takedown to take the lead early and he never relinquished it.    Adding riding time, escapes and penalty points, Mocco won 6-3. Brink's left knee was heavily bandaged but he seemed mobile.  At 125 pounds Iowa' Luke Eustice used a takedown in overtime to beat A.J. Grant.    Despite no offensive scoring in regulation time, both were close to scoring several times with the crowd responding to each near score.  At 133 pounds, Michigan's Foley Dowd used multiple takedowns and a 3 point near fall to score 4 team points for the Wolverines.    At 141 pound Iowa's Luke Moffit used a unconventional rolling style to eventually pin Michigan's Shaun Newton. Coming off a reversal, Moffitt applied a half nelson to gain the fall in 3:28.    At 149 pounds, Iowa's Mike Zadick and Michigan's Mike Kulcyzcki went to war on the mat. The match went back and forth throughout the bout, with the Michigan bench warned for disputing a close call that went against Kulcyzcki. It wss Zadick pulling out the victory with a takedown in overtime.    After the intermission, it was all Michigan. Only Tyler Nixt was able to generate a positive light as he led Michigan' favored Otto Olson after 2 minutes and was only down by 2 points after two rounds. Olson dominated the third round though and scored three takedowns to none for Nixt.    The third round went to Michigan at 184 pounds as well. In a battle of ranked wrestlers, it was #1 ranked Andy Hrovat winning a major decision scoring several 3 point near falls in the last minute of the third period.    Michigan led 17-15 going into the last match, and Kyle Smith sent the Hawkeye fans home disappointed with a 10-6 victory over Iowa's Trey Clark. Final Team score Michigan 20 and Iowa 15.