From the veteran mat writer Dan McCool, for the Des Moines Register
ISU Wrestling
Coleman’s resurgence sparks Cyclones’ win
Heavyweight rallies from 4-0 deficit for pin against Tennessee-Chattanooga.
By DAN McCOOL
REGISTER STAFF WRITER
January 5, 2005
Ames, Ia. – Iowa State heavyweight Scott Coleman said he wants to make a new start on his senior season for the Cyclones’ wrestling team.
Tuesday night was as good a start as one can hope for. Particularly one who is ranked seventh by InterMat and who brought an 8-4 record into a meet against Tennessee-Chattanooga at Hilton Coliseum.
Coleman fought out of a 4-0 hole and pinned Wes Taylor in 5 minutes 46 seconds, one of two pins for the second-ranked Cyclones in a 28-9 decision over the Mocs before a crowd of 470 on a snowy evening. Trent Paulson at 157 pounds had the other pin as the Cyclones (10-0) won their 13th consecutive meet.
The Cyclones didn’t win rave reviews from coach Bobby Douglas.
“We looked a little flat, but a win’s a win, “Douglas said.
The Cyclones return to action Sunday, when they play host to No. 7 Minnesota at 2 p.m.
“We better wrestle better (Sunday) than what we wrestled (Tuesday night) or we’ll get embarrassed, “Douglas said.
Coleman was ready to amp up his effort.
“I was glad I had the chance to shoot a couple takedowns, make a couple of takedowns, work some back points, “Coleman said. “That’s what I went out to do.”
Coleman said he came back after giving up a takedown and a two-point near fall against the smaller Taylor.
“He kind of caught me with a little fireman’s, “Coleman said. “He was kind of slick, but I wasn’t too worried. It was real early.”
Coleman caught Taylor with the third cradle he tried. He also hit some explosive takedowns that aren’t usually seen by a big man in a college lineup.
“Sometimes it’s hard to hit those shots or even commit to those shots because you’re used to big guys squashing you, “Coleman said. “I just need to make a commitment to those shots. It feels good when you do power through them because people fall like a big tree.”
Tennessee-Chattanooga (6-5) fell to its second ranked opponent in two nights. The Mocs, coached by Iowa two-time NCAA champion Terry Brands, lost to No. 17 Northern Iowa Monday.
“I’m frustrated right now, there’s no doubt about it, “Brands said.
The Mocs never led, though they were tied, 3-3, after Justin Otis beat Iowa State’s Grant Turner, 10-8, at 174 pounds. Iowa State then ran off four straight victories and had a 19-3 lead before Tennessee-Chattanooga got its next win.
Brands said he’s not gotten the message of mastery across to the Mocs
“The areas we got beat on are areas we work on all the time, “Brands said. “I have done a poor job of getting these guys to realize how strong your mind has to be and how tough-gutted and big-hearted you have to be in this sport. When these guys start to realize that, we’re going to compete on the national level. Until then, we’re going to get drubbed, just like we did (against Iowa State) and just like we did (at Northern Iowa).”
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