From the Ogden (Iowa) Reporter
Sundell avenges loss to spark ISU Cyclones
Jesse Sundell was still smarting a bit as he took on UNI’s Jeremy Meyer in a crucial wrestling match at 133 lbs. Saturday night. He hadn’t forgotten the 8-4 loss Meyer handed him at the recent Midlands Open.
Sundell had sized up his opponent well, knowing Meyer would hang off to the side and would be going after his legs.
Jesse made things that didn’t work for him at the Midlands – such as a neck wrench – work for him in the home team confines of Hilton Coliseum. This time around, it was the OHS four-time state champ who had his hand raised in victory with a 13-7 decision.
Sundell started aggressively, getting a takedown at 1:28 in the first period, but then let Meyer answer with a reversal at :19 to tie it, 2-2.
A minute later, Meyer led 4-2 on a reversal. Sundell took charge in the closing seconds of the second period with a reversal at :13 and a 2-point nearfall at :04 to go ahead 6-4 and for keeps.
The third period saw the Cyclone tally two escapes, a takedown and a 2-point nearfall, while Meyer added a takedown at 1:52.
Sundell’s extra point for riding time put the final score at 13-7, to help the Cyclones build on a 12-11 lead.
The third ranked Cyclones went on to keep their record perfect at 12-0 (on a roll with a 15 match winning streak) with a 25-16 win over the 17th ranked Panthers.
The ‘Clones trailed 12-11 after the first five matches, hurt in the opening battle as ISU’s nationally ranked Travis Paulson, 165 lbs., lost by injury default to give UNI an early 6-0 lead. The Panthers made it 9-0 with a decision in the next match.
Grant Nakamura put the ‘Clones on top, 14-12, with an 11-4 decision over Chris Helgeson at 125 lbs. in the sixth match, followed by Sundell’s victory that extended ISU’s lead to 17-12.
Incidentally, if the name Chris Helgeson sounds familiar, there’s a good reason. Sundell pinned Helgeson in 3:20 to win his fourth prep wrestling state title in 2001.
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