The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

Wrestlers slam Gophers 25-9

Carver-Hawkeye Arena got the memo that archrival Minnesota and head coach J Robinson — a Hawkeye in exile — were coming to Iowa City.

With emotions particularly high on Senior Day, the Hawkeyes took the 2009 installment of the “Border Brawl,” 25-9. The win came days after Iowa blanked No. 25 Purdue, 38-0, to go two for two over the weekend.

Iowa head coach Tom Brands said after the meet he got everything he expected — and maybe a little something he didn’t — from the Golden Gophers.

“I think we look like we’re protecting something or like we’re entitled to something,” he said. “I don’t feel very good right now, about things.

“It seems like you learn a lesson a lot more when something bites you in the butt.”

The meet started at 125, where Minnesota freshman Zach Sanders handed Charlie Falck his first loss to a Big Ten opponent this season, stealing a late takedown for a 5-4 victory.

With Minnesota taking the early 3-0 advantage, the Black-and-Gold-clad fans in Carver-Hawkeye seemed in shock.

But Daniel Dennis restored the fiery swagger to the 10,095 on hand with a rousing 9-7 win at 133 over No. 5 Jayson Ness.

Dennis started in a 2-0 hole after an early takedown by Ness, but he managed an escape and a takedown for a 3-2 advantage at the end of the first period. He led for the rest of the match, adding a pair of takedowns for good measure.

“There were a couple times getting out of position that I got scored on and scored on the edge of the mat, and that’s just not acceptable,” Dennis said. “Up and down the lineup, we didn’t perform as well as we could have, but we’re going to take it positively and learn from what we did wrong and where we can get better.”

Alex Tsirtsis ended his career in Carver-Hawkeye on a high note, scoring a 2-1 win over Mike Thorn at 141.

Brent Metcalf followed at 149 with a pin of Joe Grygelko in 4:38, taking the Gopher freshman through a gauntlet of execution, compiling a 15-2 lead before pinning him on the edge of the mat.

Borschel’s win was particularly impressive considering the match was scoreless heading into the final two-minute period. Opening the third period in the down position, Borschel tallied an escape and four takedowns before being awarded two points — one for stalling on Yohn and another for riding time — to snatch an extra bonus point for the Hawkeyes.

Phil Keddy downed Minnesota’s Sonny Yohn 10-6 at 184, and Chad Beatty fended off a late desperation attack by Gordon Bierschenk for a 5-4 win, respectively.

Brands was a far cry from satisfied, though, following the win.

“We won and didn’t look very good,” Brands said. “[The Golden Gophers] were ready to slug and we got slugged and stood there and took a lot of it.

“I know that we waited to be crowned champion, and we’re not going to be anointed anything. We have to go out and earn it.”

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