The Wolfpack completes its dual season with a 23-1 mark with wins over Iowa, Oklahoma State and Missouri.
IOWA CITY, Iowa - For the second straight dual, NC State headed into the final bout with a chance to win. And for the second straight time that wrestler looking to secure the win was two-time defending NCAA Champion Nick Gwiazdowski.
An injury default in the dual's final bout, gave NC State a 21-17 road win at No. 2 Iowa in the NWCA National Duals Championships Series. A close dual that saw five lead changes came down to the final bout once again.
The Wolfpack completes its dual season with a 23-1 mark with wins at #2 Iowa, at #4 Oklahoma State and vs. #5 Missouri.
NC State became the first ACC team ever to defeat Iowa, as the Hawkeyes were 12-0 against the conference. NC State also accomplished the same feat at Oklahoma State, as the 19-15 win in December was the first for the ACC over the Cowboys.
Starting at 125 pounds, Iowa scored the first two bouts of the day and jumped out to a 7-0 lead, with both wins coming from wrestlers ranked No. 3 or better.
NC State got on the scoreboard at 141 pounds, as No. 3 Kevin Jack netted five team points with his 18-3 technical fall. Jack recorded five takedowns, two near falls (first for two, then one for four), and a reversal in getting the tech fall. The win was Jack's 15th straight on the year and he improves to 21-3. Jack's win pulled the Pack within 7-5 after three bouts.
Iowa scored its second bonus win with a major decision at 149 pounds.
NC State returned the favor with a major decision at 157 pounds, as No. 4 Tommy Gantt defeated No. 17 Edwin Cooper, Jr., 13-5. Gantt scored all five takedowns of the bout, and his final takedown with 15 seconds left gave him the ride time point and the Pack the bonus point win.
Nice move by @PackWrestle's Tommy Gantt in the #NWCADuals against Iowa. https://t.co/bZ7lFJLpKP
— Wrestling on BTN (@WrestlingOnBTN) February 23, 2016
At the halfway point, Iowa was up 11-9.
The Pack captured its first lead right after the intermission, as No. 6 Max Rohskopf picked up a 6-3 decision. After a scoreless first, Rohskopf scored the lone points in the second period with a takedown at the end of the period. An escape and another takedown pushed his lead to 5-0 early in the third before winning 6-3 and giving the Pack a 12-11 lead after six bouts.
The lead was short-lived as an Iowa decision at 174 pounds made the team score 14-12 with three bouts left.
NC State faught back once again and retook the lead at 15-14 with two bouts left. No. 17 Pete Renda scored a 7-3 upset over No. 9 Sammy Brooks. Renda scored two first period takedowns and after an escape was up 5-1 entering the third. Renda stayed on the attack with another takedown and his 7-3 win gave the Pack the lead. The win was the second straight for Renda over a top-11 foe.
Iowa retook the lead once again with a 9-4 decision at 197 pounds. Going into the final bout, Iowa was up 17-15.
No. 1 Nick Gwiazdowski completed his NC State dual career a perfect 55-0 in duals, as he earned an injury default in the final match, giving NC State the 21-17 win. Up 10-1 in the second over No. 6 Stoll, the bout was stopped for an injury and NC State completed the comeback win.
Hear from @pat_popolizio pic.twitter.com/Ql4HIg8y5E
— NC State Wrestling (@PackWrestle) February 23, 2016
#4 NC State 21, #2 Iowa 17
125: #2 Thomas Gilman (Iowa) major dec. #20 Sean Fausz; 15-5 - 0-4
133: #3 Cory Clark (Iowa) dec. #30 Jamal Morris; 9-3 - 0-7
141: #3 Kevin Jack (NCSU) technical fall Brody Grothus; 18-3 - 5-7
149: #2 Brandon Sorensen (Iowa) major dec. Beau Donahue; 13-4 - 5-11
157: #4 Tommy Gantt (NCSU) major dec. #17 Edwin Cooper, Jr.; 13-5 - 9-11
165: #6 Max Rohskopf (NCSU) dec. Patrick Rhoads; 6-3 - 12-11
174: #10 Alex Meyer (Iowa) dec. Nicky Hall; 4-2 - 12-14
184: #17 Pete Renda (NCSU) dec. #9 Sammy Brooks; 7-3 - 15-14
197: #4 Nathan Burak (Iowa) xxx #16 Michael Boykin; 9-4 - 15-17
