By Jordan Hansen
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While Iowa did not finish this season with an undefeated dual record, the team finished with an impressive 16-1, with a perfect mark in Big Ten meets.
However, the Hawkeyes’ loss to North Carolina State on Monday raises questions and provides some takeaways a little under two weeks out from the Big Ten Championships.
Injuries will play a part
If heavyweight Sam Stoll can’t stay in the lineup because of his injury, that’s a huge problem for the Hawkeyes. With Stoll in the lineup, Iowa has a slim — but very real — chance to win the Big Ten and NCAA Championships. It will take a Penn State stumble, but it can happen.
Iowa head coach Tom Brands did not have an update on the status of Stoll during his press conference after the meet, and it’s likely no one will know until the team’s next media availability.
Even if he can go at the Big Tens and NCAAs, it seems reasonable to think he will be at least slightly hobbled by the ailment.
Another troubling thing for Iowa is 184-pounder Sammy Brooks, who was limping during his loss to the Wolfpack’s Pete Renda. While Renda nearly beat Brooks at the Midlands Championships, the Hawkeye wrestler looked out of sorts, and his health is something to keep an eye on.
141, 157 still not elite
With all due respect to NC State’s Kevin Jack — a very talented wrestler — Iowa’s 141-pounder Brody Grothus did not wrestle a good match Monday.
Grothus lost by technical fall to Jack in a match that didn’t come close to being competitive. Despite that, Brands said he was settled on Grothus after the match, which means barring injury, Iowa will send him out at the Big Ten Championships.
The loss has to be especially disappointing to Grothus, who wrestled well against strong competition since coming back from a shoulder injury.
At 157 pounds, Edwin Cooper Jr. also had a chance to prove he belonged in the conversation among All-American candidates at the weight. While he wrestled the Wolfpack’s No. 4 ranked Tommy Gantt well for two periods, Cooper let things get out of hand at the end and lost by major decision.
It’s time to take the Wolfpack seriously
In the wrestling world, beating Iowa is a substantial feat.
For NC State coach Pat Popolizio, it was a sign that his team and program is ready to be a national contender. He even went so far to say in his press conference after the meet that the ACC will win a national title sooner rather than later.
With wins over Missouri, Oklahoma State, Nebraska, and Iowa, that’s a fair statement to make. While it’s still hard to pick any team over Penn State this season, NC State deserves — at the very least — to be in the conversation.
Follow @JordyHansen for Iowa wrestling news, updates and analysis.