Iowa Extends Lead Heading into Semi-Finals
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Top-ranked Iowa is beginning to pull away from the field in the NCAA Division I wrestling tournament.
The Hawkeyes advanced five wrestlers into tonight’s semifinal round and have 67 points, 19.5 more than Nebraska and Oklahoma State. Ohio State and Central Michigan complete the top five.
Iowa State had a harsh quarterfinals round, winning only three matches — including one of six championship-side bouts — and fell into a tie with Michigan for 10th place with 33 points.
Northern Iowa is tied with North Carolina State for 21st place with 16 points.
Iowa and Iowa State can have as many as seven all-Americans each. The Hawkeyes have five already assured, and need Phil Keddy at 184 and Matt Fields at heavyweight to win one consolation match tonight to earn their first all-America medal.
Iowa State has one all-American already, with top-seeded Jake Varner in the semifinals at 184.
Varner was the NCAA runner-up at his weight last season. The Cyclones need one consolation-round win from Nick Fanthorpe at 133, Nick Gallick at 141, Cyler Sanderson at 157, Jon Reader at 165, David Bertolino at 197 and David Zabriskie at heavyweight to secure more honors.
Northern Iowa has two wrestlers in competition today — 165-pounder Moza Fay and 174-pounder Alex Dolly.
They will become all-Americans with one win in the consolation round tonight. The Panthers have not had a wrestler place among the top eight since 2005, when Sean Stender was second at 197 and Eric Hauan was sixth at 174.