By: Bryan Bamonte – The Daily Iowan
The Iowa wrestling team’s regular-season finale started with a major decision and ended with anything but a major statement.
In fact, it was just like every other meet this season.
Iowa’s asymmetrical lineup looked even more lopsided as the Hawkeyes bucked Boise State, 24-13, on Senior Night.
“Well, it was good, for the most part, ” Iowa coach Jim Zalesky said. “Obviously, you would like everyone to be wrestling well, but we had some guys step up, and some guys who had been going well continued that.”
Sophomore spark-plug Mark Perry returned to the lineup after missing the majority of the Big Ten season with a neck injury. And it didn’t take him long to get comfortable.
Perry pinned Boise State’s Johnny Nunez a minute into the opening period, providing the Hawkeyes with six points and, more importantly, some emotional oomph.
After a questionable decision by Nunez to take an early shot, Perry gripped him in a cradle and didn’t let go.
“When he shot, I was like ‘Are you kidding?’ ” Perry said. “I wouldn’t have been able to hold that earlier in the year. I feel 100 percent, and I’m ready to go win Big Tens and nationals.”
However, Iowa wasn’t at full strength, despite Perry and 125-pounder Lucas Magnani returning from injuries. Heavyweight Ryan Fuller’s back may sideline him for the rest of the season. He slipped a disc last weekend before a match.
“Is he ready? Right now, probably not; next week, probably not; two weeks, who knows, “Zalesky said. “It doesn’t look good, right now, but that’s right now.”
Fuller is the second heavyweight to suffer a serious injury this year; Matt Fields’ knee cost him his season.
The Hawkeyes jumped out to an early 7-0 lead, but 157-pounder Joe Johnston fell behind 10-0 to undefeated Ben Cherrington before scoring 12 points and almost making an impossible comeback. Johnston has made a habit of putting himself in a hole.
“You just can’t get that far behind and expect to play catch up, “Zalesky said. “Even though we almost did, you just can’t expect that to happen all the time.
Eric Luedke earned an impressive 18-1 technical fall against Lex Case at 165. Luedke has been inconsistent this season but could be a wildcard at the Big Ten meet.
“I feel real optimistic, “he said. “A lot of people don’t consider me an All-American, but I’ve wrestled well against some of the better kids. I’m not afraid of anyone. I’ve had my down nights, and I’ve had nights when I’m on. I think I’ll keep getting better.”
Iowa went ahead 21-3 before losing the final four matches. Now, it’s high noon for the Hawkeyes. The Big Ten meet will begin March 3 in Bloomington, Ind., whether they’re ready or not.
“The intensity picks up – when you go to the Big Tens, you have to be ready to wrestle, because there’s tough matches right away, “Zalesky said. “To be successful, you have to have 10 weights scoring. And, right now, we have several weights – 25, 33, 97, and heavyweight – where it looks like they’re going to have to wrestle well just to get through the tournament.”
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