Jan. 26, 2007

WEST LAFAYETTE, IN -

The Iowa wrestling team improved to 11-2 (2-0 in the Big Ten) with a 36-3 win at Purdue Friday night. The Hawkeyes won nine of 10 matches, including two by major decision and two by pin. Purdue fell to 10-3, 0-3 in the Big Ten.

Iowa sophomore Charlie Falck kicked off the dual at 125 with a 17-9 major decision over Boilermaker Brandon Tucker. Hawkeye senior Mario Galanakis scored his 35th career victory at 133, decking Sean Schmaltz in 2:48. Griffith, IN, native and Iowa junior Alex Tsirtsis had a happy homecoming with a 20-10 major decision over Nick Bertucci at 141. Hawkeye senior 149-pounder Alex Grunder upset Purdue's 11th-ranked Jake Patacsil, 7-5. Grunder avenged an earlier season loss to Patacsil with the win and scored his fifth straight victory. Hawkeye redshirt freshman Ryan Morningstar took Iowa into the intermission with a 3-1 decision over Jake Murphy at 157.

Hawkeye junior Mark Perry kept the Hawkeyes on track with a 2:27 pin over Justin Fraga at 165. Senior Eric Luedke (174) and redshirt freshman Phillip Keddy (184) followed with decisions to make the team score 32-0. Luedke picked up his 18th consecutive win with the 11-7 decision over Jason Martin, improving to 20-1 in collegiate matches and 11-0 in dual competition. Purdue scored its only team points of the night at 197 when Nathan Moore defeated Iowa redshirt freshman Rick Loera, 6-0. Hawkeye heavyweight Matt Fields scored his 55th career win with a 14-4 major decision over David Pisarck to end the dual.

Iowa (11-2, 2-0 in the Big Ten) returns home to host undefeated Wisconsin (15-0, 1-0 in the Big Ten) Saturday at 7 p.m. in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The Badgers wrestled at Northwestern Friday night.

MEET RESULTS
Iowa 36, Purdue 3
125 - Charlie Falck (I) maj. dec. Brandon Tucker (P), 17-9
133 - Mario Galanakis (I) pinned Sean Schmaltz (P), 2:48
141 - Alex Tsirtsis (I) maj. dec. Nick Bertucci (P), 20-10
149 - Alex Grunder (I) dec. Jake Patacsil (P), 7-5
157 - Ryan Morningstar (I) dec. Jake Murphy (P), 3-1
165 - Mark Perry (I) pinned Justin Fraga (P), 2:27
174 - Eric Luedke (I) dec. Jason Martin (P), 11-7
184 - Phillip Keddy (I) dec. Nick Skinner (P), 3-2
197 - Nathan Moore (P) dec. Rick Loera (I), 6-0
Hwt. - Matt Fields (I) maj. dec. David Pisarcik (P), 14-4