By Andy Hamilton
Iowa City Press-Citizen
Jim Zalesky liked what he saw from an attitude standpoint throughout Iowa’s final four meets at the NWCA National Duals this weekend.
Now Zalesky and the Hawkeyes are out to correct the technical flaws that contributed to a sixth-place finish.
“We fought hard, “Zalesky said. “We’ve just got to put a few more things together to win.”
Nevertheless, Zalesky said he thought the Hawkeyes made strides in certain areas. He watched seniors Ty Eustice and Joe Johnston each post 5-0 records during the weekend. He watched true freshman Dan Erekson give Iowa its first two dual victories of the season at 197 pounds. He watched sophomore Alex Tsirtsis beat three ranked opponents and push two-time NCAA champion Teyon Ware of Oklahoma and fifth-ranked Josh Churella of Michigan to the limit.
“I feel like I’m improving as the season goes on, and that’s the main focus right now, “Tsirtsis said after his 3-1 loss to Churella. “As long as I keep doing that every day, every practice and every meet, then I think by the end of the season I’m going to make some big improvements.”
The Hawkeyes believe they have a lot of little individual problems to fix during the next two months.
Iowa senior Paul Bradley said he believes he figured out part of the error that led to a pair of defeats Saturday. The All-American 184-pounder lost two decisions on takedowns he surrendered when he failed to come up off his knees after taking a shot.
“It’s a technical thing, and I finally did it right this last match, “Bradley said after beating Michigan’s Tyrell Todd with a takedown in overtime. “When I’m in on my shots, I can’t stay on my knees. … I’ve definitely got some things I need to work on, but that’s definitely the main thing right now.”
“¢ NEAR FALL: Eustice isn’t known as one of Iowa’s pinners, and he believes that may have cost him a fall Sunday. He nearly decked Michigan All-American Eric Tannenbaum but had to settle for a three-point near-fall that keyed a 7-4 victory.
“I think he was pinned, “Eustice said. “You’ve got to get the refs on your side. Like I told (teammate Mark) Perry, if that would’ve been Perry, (the official) would’ve slapped the mat for sure but not for me. I don’t get pins, so they’re not going to give me one.”
“¢ PERRY SITS: The Hawkeyes wrestled their third dual of the weekend without Perry on Sunday after he aggravated a neck problem that has bothered the sophomore 174-pounder since last month’s Midlands Open.
“It’s just one of those things where we don’t want to push it right now, “Zalesky said. “He really can’t do a lot out there without getting hurt. We need to build it back up and get it to where he can compete again.”
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