Iowa State University’s wrestling team, ranked No. 6 nationally, began its season with a strong performance, defeating Nebraska-Kearney 37-3 in Ames on Friday night. The Cyclones won nine out of ten matches against the defending Division II national champions.
The Cyclones (1-0) secured seven bonus-point victories, including four major decisions and three technical falls. Iowa State also dominated in takedowns, recording 36 compared to Nebraska-Kearney’s four.
Under head coach Kevin Dresser, Iowa State has now achieved a 7-2 record in dual openers.
Northern Colorado transfer Stevo Poulin made his debut for Iowa State at 125 pounds. Tied 4-4 in the second period against Caleb Coyle, Poulin pulled ahead in the final period to secure a 15-6 major decision.
Freshman Carter Pearson competed at 133 pounds and narrowly defeated Zach Ourada with a riding time point after both wrestlers exchanged takedowns during the match.
At 141 pounds, Evan Frost earned a technical fall over Joseph Airola with six takedowns and improved his season record to 3-0.
Paniro Johnson, ranked No. 2 at his weight class, scored five takedowns in his match and won by major decision over Brady Collins.
Jacob Frost marked his first match of the season at 157 pounds with a technical fall over Cael Robb. This win was also Frost’s fiftieth career victory.
Connor Euton continued Iowa State’s momentum at 165 pounds with another major decision win and improved to a perfect start this season.
At 174 pounds, MJ Gaitan finished just short of a technical fall but still claimed a decisive victory after expanding his lead significantly in the third period.
Isaac Dean added another bonus-point win for Iowa State at 184 pounds with six takedowns before winning by technical fall against Kaden Hart.
Nebraska-Kearney got its only points when Jackson Kinsella defeated CJ Carter at 197 pounds after tiebreakers. McCrae Hagarty concluded the dual for Iowa State with a narrow victory over Crew Howard at heavyweight.
The event drew an attendance of 4,710 spectators.
Iowa State will next compete after Thanksgiving when it hosts No. 3 Iowa for the annual Cy-Hawk Dual on Sunday, Nov. 30 at noon; that meet will be broadcast nationally on ESPN and tickets remain available online.
