Top-Ranked Cowboys Triumphant Over No. 7 Hawkeyes

Steve Mocco's return to Iowa City where he began his collegiate wrestling career was a successful one for him and top-ranked Oklahoma State as the Cowboys defeated seventh-ranked Iowa, 18-14, on Saturday night at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

OSU improved to 6-0 on the season with the win, while Iowa suffered its first loss of the season and fell to 3-1. It was career win 226 for OSU head coach John Smith, one shy of tying Tommy Chesbro for the school record.

The dual started at 174 and Mark Perry wasted no time scoring on Brandon Mason. Perry got an early takedown was dominant on the mat accumulating over five minutes of riding time and even turned Mason a few times. Perry scored a 13-0 major decision to put the Hawkeyes on the board first.

Paul Bradley added to the Iowa lead with a 2-1 decision over Rusty Blackmon. Jake Rosholt got OSU on the board with a 10-6 decision over Dan Erikson.

Steve Mocco's return to Iowa City did not live up to its billing. Neither Mocco nor Iowa heavyweight Matt Fields scored a takedown in the match. Fields was warned twice for stalling as that proved to be the one point difference.

Coleman Scott gave the Cowboys 9-7 lead at 125, a lead they would not relinquish. Scott scored a takedown with 35 seconds left to tie the match. Scott was able to ride out the third period and get a riding time point for a one point victory.

Nathan Morgan and Daniel Frishkorn each recorded decisions to stretch the Poke lead to 15-7 heading into the 149-pound matchup. Top-ranked Zack Esposito held a 2-0 advantage in the third period over third-ranked Ty Eustice. Esposito gave up a stalling point to tie the match and then Eustice got a late takedown to earn the upset victory.

Joe Johnston tightened the dual with a dominating major decision over Kevin Ward to make it 15-14 going into the final bout at 165.

Johny Hendricks put the dual away in convincing fashion over Iowa's Eric Luedke. Hendricks scored two first period takedowns and used it to cruise to a 10-4 decision.

The Cowboys return to action next weekend at the NWCA National Duals in Cedar Falls, Iowa to be held at the UNI DomemJan. 14-15.

Oklahoma State 18, Iowa 14

Iowa City, Iowa * Carver-Hawkeye Arena

Attendance: 8,157

174- Mark Perry (Iowa) MD Brandon Mason (OSU), 13-0

184- Paul Bradley (Iowa) Dec. Rusty Blackmon (OSU), 2-1

197- Jake Rosholt (OSU) Dec. Dan Erikson (Iowa), 10-6

285- Steve Mocco (OSU) Dec. Matt Fields (Iowa), 2-1

125- Coleman Scott (OSU) Dec. Lucas Magnani, 4-3

133- Nathan Morgan (OSU) Dec. Daniel Dennis (Iowa), 14-9

141- Daniel Frishkorn (OSU) Dec, Alex Tsirtsis (Iowa), 10-8

149- Ty Eustice (Iowa) Dec. Zack Esposito (OSU), 4-2

157- Joe Johnston (Iowa) MD Kevin Ward (OSU), 25-11

165- Johny Hendricks (OSU) Dec. Eric Luedke (Iowa), 10-4

Oklahoma State University Athletics

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