AMES, Iowa – The North Dakota State wrestling team built an 18-6 lead through six matches, but Iowa State won the final four matches to rally for a 22-18 dual victory in front of 1,837 fans in Hilton Coliseum on Sunday afternoon.
The Bison led 18-16 heading into the decisive heavyweight match, but No. 18 Matt Gibson recorded a pin of NDSU’s Evan Knutson to seal the win for the Cyclones.
NDSU (2-4) received wins from No. 4 Trent Sprenkle (125), Josh Rodriguez (133), Joe Garner (149) and No. 6 Steven Monk (165). Sprenkle and Monk each earned six team points, as Sprenkle won by injury default and Monk won by fall.
Sprenkle remained unbeaten on the season, opening the dual with a win by injury default over No. 20 Ryak Finch to improve to 10-0. Sprenkle owned a 6-2 lead in the second period when Finch was pulled for injury.
Freshman Josh Rodriguez controlled Iowa State’s John Meeks for the entire match at 133 pounds, earning a 6-2 decision to push the Bison lead to 9-0.
At 141 pounds, NDSU senior Mark Erickson was able to stave off a major decision against No. 17 Luke Goettl, limiting the Cyclones to just three team points with Goettl’s 10-3 decision.
Bison senior Joe Garner used a final-minute takedown to capture a 5-4 decision over Max Mayfield at 149 pounds, swinging the momentum back in NDSU’s favor.
The Cyclones’ Logan Molina earned an 8-6 decision over redshirt freshman Hayden Zillmer at 157 pounds, but any good feelings for Iowa State were short-lived. Steven Monk, ranked No. 6 in the nation at 165 pounds, posted his third win over a ranked opponent this season, pinning No. 18 Michael Moreno in 4:43 to run the Bison lead to 18-6.
Iowa State (1-2) rattled off three straight victories at 174, 184 and 197 pounds – including a 17-4 major decision by Kyven Gadson at 197 – to trim its deficit to 18-16 with one match remaining.
In the decisive heavyweight match, No. 18 Matt Gibson of Iowa State won by fall over Evan Knutson in 4:07 to win the dual for the Cyclones.
North Dakota State will return to action on Dec. 29-30 at the Midlands Championships in Evanston, Ill.
Iowa State 22, North Dakota State 18
125 – No. 4 Trent Sprenkle (NDSU) injury default No. 20 Ryak Finch (ISU) … NDSU, 6-0
133 – Josh Rodriguez (NDSU) dec. John Meeks (ISU), 6-2 … NDSU, 9-0
141 – No. 17 Luke Goettl (ISU) dec. Mark Erickson (NDSU), 10-3 … NDSU, 9-3
149 – Joe Garner (NDSU) dec. Max Mayfield (ISU), 5-4 … NDSU, 12-3
157 – Logan Molina (ISU) dec. Hayden Zillmer (NDSU), 8-6 … NDSU, 12-6
165 – No. 6 Steven Monk (NDSU) pinned No. 18 Michael Moreno (ISU), 4:43 … NDSU, 18-6
174 – Tanner Weatherman (ISU) dec. Kurtis Julson (NDSU), 3-1 … NDSU, 18-9
184 – No. 15 Boaz Beard (ISU) dec. No. 16 Mac Stoll (NDSU), 7-5 … NDSU, 18-12
197 – No. 17 Kyven Gadson (ISU) maj. dec. Kallen Kleinschmidt (NDSU), 17-4 … NDSU, 18-16
285 – No. 18 Matt Gibson (ISU) pinned Evan Knutson (NDSU), 4:07 … ISU, 22-18