Great job Chris!!!
Cyclones Twist Utah Valley, 39-0
Courtesy: cyclones.com
Release: 11/13/2008
AMES, Iowa – The Iowa State wrestling squad opened the 2008-09 season in strong fashion with a 39-0 win over Utah Valley Thursday night in Hilton Coliseum. Coach Cael Sanderson’s squad is coming off of back-to-back Big 12 team championships.
“Overall, I thought we looked real solid,” Sanderson said. “Utah Valley is making real strides in their program. Chris Pursell wrestled an aggressive match and dictated the tempo of the match.”
Making his 2008-09 debut, junior Chris Pursel toughed out a tight decision against Utah Valley’s Bradley Darrington. Pursel broke a 4-4 tie in the third period with a takedown at the 0:27 mark and held on for the victory.Returning two-time NCAA finalist Jake Varner started his junior campaign with a pin against Utah Valley’s Adam Fager in 2:34. Varner has moved up to the 197-pound weight class after two seasons at 184 pounds.
Nick Fanthorpe, who finished seventh at last year’s NCAA Championship, recorded his first technical fall of the season in 6:42 against the Wolverine’s Flint Ray. Fanthorpe tallied six takedowns during the match. Returning All-American Cyler Sanderson notched his first victory of the 2008-09 campaign by recording a major decision against Wade Eldredge, 15-5. Sanderson’s victory came fueled on a third-period flurry in which he notched a reversal and a two-point nearfall within the first 20 seconds of the final period.
Sophomore Tyler Clark matched up against the Wolverine’s lone ranked wrestler, No. 18 Ben Kjar. Clark held a 4-2 advantage heading into the third period and that proved to be all he needed as he closed at the third fighting off Kjar’s takedown attempts.
Nick Gallick, the preseason No. 2 pick in the 141-pound weight class, picked up a 5-3 win by decision against UVU’s Jeff Newby. Gallick was tough on his feet and did not give up an offensive point. Fellow junior Mitch Mueller followed suit and showed tough defensive skills by edging his opponent Justin Morrill, 8-4.
Cyclone sophomore Jon Reader started his second season in the 165-pound in good fashion by defeating Utah Valley’s Jeb Clark, 5-3. Redshirt freshman Jerome Ward made his debut for the Cyclones and came away with a 3-2 decision against Utah Valley’s Casen Eldredge. David Zabriskie, the Cyclone heavyweight, received a forfeit.
ISU’s wrestling squad has won 12 straight home opening duals. The Cyclones now stand at 79-12-1 all-time in season openers.
Iowa State will compete in the Harold Nichols/Cyclone Open Saturday at the Lied Recreation Center. Wrestling gets underway at 10 a.m. ISU will travel to Wisconsin next weekend to take on the Badgers Nov. 21 at 7 p.m. CST. Action will resume in Hilton Coliseum Nov. 23 as the Cyclones host Arizona State at 7 p.m.
