Iowa State University’s men’s wrestling team claimed its second Cliff Keen Invitational title in three years, securing the top spot with 183.5 points at the tournament held in Las Vegas. The Cyclones finished well ahead of Michigan, which scored 99 points, and Stanford, which earned 97.5 points.
Four Iowa State wrestlers—Evan Frost (133 lbs), Anthony Echemendia (141 lbs), Rocky Elam (197 lbs), and Yonger Bastida (285 lbs)—won individual championships. In total, Iowa State had nine wrestlers place in the top ranks across ten weight classes.
The team accumulated 34.5 bonus points during the event through 13 technical falls, seven major decisions, and four pins.
Evan Frost was awarded his first CKLV title at 133 pounds after accepting a medical forfeit from Arizona State’s Kyler Larkin in the finals. Frost had previously finished as runner-up twice at this tournament.
At 141 pounds, Anthony Echemendia defeated Rider’s Elijah Griffin with a score of 6-2 in the championship match. Echemendia completed the tournament undefeated with five wins, including two technical falls and one major decision.
Rocky Elam faced Wyoming’s Joey Novak in the 197-pound final and won by a decision of 7-3. Elam now has three top-10 victories this season after defeating two highly ranked opponents on the last day of competition.
In the heavyweight division (285 lbs), Yonger Bastida won his second CKLV title by beating former Cyclone Christian Carroll in a close match that ended 5-3.
Other notable results included Stevo Poulin finishing fourth at 125 pounds after losing to Stanford’s Nico Provo for third place. At 165 pounds, Aiden Riggins also placed fourth following an 11-2 loss to Princeton’s Ty Whalen; both of Riggins’ losses came against Whalen during the weekend.
Jacob Frost medically forfeited his third-place match at 149 pounds while Vinny Zerban did likewise in his finals bout at 157 pounds.
Looking ahead, Iowa State is scheduled to compete next at the Collegiate Duals in Nashville, Tennessee, where they will face Ohio State and Lehigh.
“Iowa State scored 183.5 points to win the team title, well in front of second place Michigan (99) and third place Stanford (97.5). Evan Frost (133), Anthony Echemendia (141), Rocky Elam (197) and Yonger Bastida (285) all won individual titles as ISU had a placewinniner in nine of 10 weight classes.”
“The Cyclones scored 34.5 bonus points in the tournament thanks to 13 tech falls, seven major decisions and four pins.”
“Evan Frost accepted a medial forfeit from Arizona State’s No. 19 Kyler Larkin (ASU) in the 133-pound finals to win his first CKLV title. Frost had previously finished as runner-up in his previous two appearances in Las Vegas.”
“At 141 pounds, No. 4 Anthony Echemendia used two second period takedowns to top Rider’s No. 26 Elijah Griffin, 6-2, in the championship match. Echemendia posted a 5-0 record with two tech falls and a major decision en route to his CKLV title.”
“It was another high-level test for No. 2 Rocky Elam against No. 6 Joey Novak, who placed fifth at the NCAA Championships last season. Elam secured two takedowns and a riding time point in a 7-3 decision over the Cowboy. Elam logged two top-10 wins on the final day of the tournament and now has three such wins this season.”
“The heavyweight finals match pitted No.1 Yonger Bastida against former Cyclone Christian Carroll. Bastida got the better of Carroll in a low scoring affair, 5-3.It marks Bastida’s second CKLV title.”
“No.10 Stevo Poulin dropped a7-0 decision to Stanford’s No .11 Nico Provo in the125-pound third-place bout.Provo used a takedown and a quick tilt for three near fall points in the final30 seconds of the first period which proved to be the difference in thematch.”
“At165 pounds,Aiden Riggins dropped his third-place match to Princeton’s No .15 Ty Whalen ,11 -2,in arematch fromthe quarterfinals.Riggins’ only two losses inthe tournament came to Whalen as The Cyclone finished infourth place witha5 -2 weekend.”
“Jacob Frost medically forfeitedin his third-place matchat149pounds while Vinny Zerban did thesameinhis157-pound finals match.”
“UP NEXT
No .3 IowaState is off untilthe Collegiate DualsinNashville,Tenn.TheCyclones will have twotough dualsagainstNo .2 OhioStateandNo .14Lehigh.”
