Digging for a Team

In 2007, Cindy Frederick was released as head coach of The University of Iowa volleyball team. Mallory Husz, a recruit from Council Bluffs, had committed to Iowa, and was left in the dark until Iowa finally hired Sharon Dingman. For three months, Husz was forced to find her own answers, and try to figure out what she should do: stick with Iowa, or go somewhere with stability. Somewhere else almost happened.



Mallory Husz' Unusual Recruiting Experience

Iowa Grapplers Blank UNI in Cedar Falls

The University of Iowa Hawkeye wrestling team hit the road last night for Cedar Falls, and the meet couldn’t have gone much smoother for the Hawks, as they blanked the Panthers 39-0.


Tony Ramos started the meet with four take downs and a major decision over Ryan Jauch of the Panthers. Ramos, who has started at the 133 spot since getting the nod on November 26th against Cornell College, is 4-0 on the season. Ramos’ four wins include three major decisions and a tech fall.

Jeret Chiri finally got things going for himself when he pinned UNI’s Jamal Lawrence in 5:59. This is exactly what Chiri needed to stay in the starting lineup as Last weekend Chiri was defeated by major decision twice, and reports were circulating that Chiri could be replaced by Matt Ballweg until starter Dylan Carew returns from injury.

At 165, Aaron Janssen took the mat for a 4-0 decision. The 165 spot has been up in the air all season, as Janssen and Jake Kerr have gone back and forth, and but neither one has stepped up and fully grasped the spot.

In the only match between two ranked wrestlers, Iowa’s heavyweight Blake Rasing plodded his way to a 2-0 victory over Panther wrestler Christian Brantley. After a scoreless first, Brantley chose to go down but was unable to escape from underneath Rasing. An early escape from Rasing in the third left the Hawkeye heavyweight with a bonus riding time point and a 2-0 victory.

Star wrestler Matt McDonough picked up his first pin of the season as he took out Terrance Young in the first period. McDonough is ranked number one in every major poll and is a favorite to win a repeat championship at collegiate wrestling’s lightest weight.

#7 Iowa 39, Northern Iowa 0

133 – Tony Ramos (Iowa) maj. dec. Ryan Jauch (Northern Iowa), 12-3

141 – Mark Ballweg (Iowa) dec. Aaron Senzee (Northern Iowa), 3-0

149 – Jeret Chiri (Iowa) pinned Jamal Lawrence (Northern Iowa), 5:59

157 – Derek St. John (Iowa) dec. David Bonin (Northern Iowa), 8-4

165 – Aaron Janssen (Iowa) dec. Nick Pickerell (Northern Iowa), 4-0

174 – Ethen Lofthouse (Iowa) maj. dec. Brice Wolf (Northern Iowa), 16-5

184 – Grant Gambrall (Iowa) dec. Ryan Loder (Northern Iowa), 4-2

197 – Luke Lofthouse (Iowa) maj. dec. Joe Johnson (Northern Iowa), 19-7

Hwt. – Blake Rasing (Iowa) dec. Christian Brantley (Northern Iowa), 2-0

125 – Matt McDonough (Iowa) pinned Terrance Young (Northern Iowa), 1:12

Now the Hawkeyes are left with 20 days off before traveling to Evanston for the Midlands Championships. The Hawkeyes have won three Midlands titles in a row, and were a second place finish in 2006, just under Iowa State.

Iowa Takes Annual ISU Dual, waits for new Dan Gable Trophy

The Iowa Hawkeyes beat the Iowa State Cyclones in the annual wrestling dual 22-13 Friday night in Carver-Hawkeye Arena, and now await a freshly announced traveling prize: The Dan Gable Trophy.

Iowa won six out of the ten matches, and took advantage of four major decisions to build a comfortable lead.

Iowa head coach Tom Brands watches as Derek St. John (top) wrestles against ISU's Trent Weatherman (photo: Benjamin Roberts/ Press-Citizen)

Iowa head coach Tom Brands disscusses his team’s performance vs. ISU

ISU head coach Kevin Jackson after Friday’s loss to Iowa

Iowa 141 lb wrestler Mark Ballweg after his upset of all-American Chris Drouin

The Dan Gable Trophy itself has not been built yet; it actually hasn’t even been designed yet, but as soon as it’s finished, it will be delivered to the Hawkeye trophy case for winning the yearly grudge match between two of the top wrestling programs in the country. The trophy be awarded annually to the winner of the Iowa-Iowa State wrestling dual meet.

The Highlight of the night for the Hawkeyes came from sophmore Mark Ballweg (141), who upset senior wrestler and previous All-American Chris Drouin by a 3-1 margin. Ballweg was down 1-0 to start the third period, but took advantage of an early escape and a takedown with 11 seconds left to defeat the Arizona State transfer. Ballweg moves to 5-0 on the season, including three pins and a tech. fall.

The meet started at the 197 wieght class, where Luke Lofthouse was unable to stave off Jerome Ward in overtime. Ward had a one point lead with three seconds left but was given his third stall warning, forcing overtime. Ward would bounce back, scoring a takedown in sudden victory overtime.

Other notable matches include the 157 match, where Derek St. John racked up 5 takedowns and 2:40 of riding time in route to a 12-3 major decision. At 165 pounds, two wrestlers in the top 25 by AWN and Intermat rankings squared off, but Jake Kerr for the Hawkeyes was unable defeat Andrew Sorenson of ISU, 4-1. Sorenson scored two point in the second period and Kerr’s only point came off a third period escape.

#6 University of Iowa 22, #14 Iowa State University 13
197 – Jerome Ward (ISU) dec. Luke Lofthouse (I), 5-3 SV *
Hwt. – Blake Rasing (I) dec. Kyle Simonson (ISU), 2-0
125 – Matt McDonough (I) maj. dec. Patrick Hunter (ISU), 14-4
133 – Tony Ramos (I) maj. dec. Brandon Jones (ISU), 14-5
141 – Mark Ballweg (I) dec. Chris Drouin (ISU), 3-1
149 – Nate Carr, Jr. (ISU) maj. dec. Jeret Chiri (I), 13-3
157 – Derek St. John (I) maj. dec. Trent Weatherman (ISU), 12-3
165 – Andrew Sorenson (ISU) dec. Jake Kerr (I), 4-1
174 – Jon Reader (ISU) dec. Ethen Lofthouse (I), 6-1
184 – Grant Gambrall (I) maj. dec. Cole Shafer (ISU), 12-3

Iowa Hawkeye Wrestling Team Prepares for First Real Test of the Season

As a team, the 4-0 Iowa Hawkeyes have yet to be tested. November wins over Central College, Coe, Cornell College and Chattanooga have resulted in a 40-0 match record and an overall point difference of 179-0. That was November.

Now it’s another December, and another annual Iowa vs. Iowa State wrestling meet. Iowa State comes in 4-0 and ranked #14. The Cyclones will potentially put six ranked wrestlers on the mat. Iowa will likley put out eight ranked wrestlers.

Here’s what to expect on Friday night: (ISU Wrestlers listed first)

125: Ryak Finch (Fr) vs. #1 Matt McDonough (So)

133: Brandon Jones (Fr) vs. #9 Nate Moore (So)

141: #11 Chris Drouin (Sr) vs. Matt Balweg (So)

149: #15 Nate Carr (Sr) vs. Jeret Chiri (So)

157: Trent Weatherman (Fr) vs. #9 Derek St. John (Fr)

165: #16 Andrew Sorensen (Jr) vs. #15 Jake Kerr (Jr)

174: #3 Jon Reader (Sr) vs #20 Ethan Lofthouse (Fr)

184: Cole Schafer (Fr) vs #7 Grant Gambrall (So)

197: #13 Luke Lofthouse (Sr) vs. #12 Jerome Ward (Jr)

Hwt: #15 Blake Rasing (Jr) vs #20 Matt Gibson (So)


While these matchups are not all certain, you can see a few likely big brawls in the works.

Luke Lofthouse will get a chance to prove his worth against some serious competition in Jerome Ward. Ward has a history of Wrestling well against Iowa, beating Phil Keddy twice last year.

Another key matchup for the Hawkeyes will come at 133, where Matt Balweg will get a chance at a highly ranked and veteran wrestler. Balweg has recorded 3 pins and a tech fall in four matches.