Cornell University Athletics

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa—The No. 3 ranked Big Red wrestling team lost 23-13 to No. 1 Iowa in the finals of the Cliff Keen National Duals on Sunday evening. Cornell held a 13-8 lead after the 165 pound bout, but the Hawkeyes came back to win the final four bouts to secure their 17th tournament title. Iowa remains undefeated for the season with a 14-0 record, while the Big Red moves to 4-1.

ESPNU will air a taped-delay broadcast of the championship finals on Jan. 15 at 4 p.m.

The Big Red opened with Troy Nickerson defeating the Hawkeye’s JJ Krutsinger, 4-0 at 125 pounds to put Cornell up 3-0.

At 133 pounds, sophomore Mike Grey scored a takedown with three seconds left in the match to notch a 4-3 win. Grey upset the No. 5 ranked Daniel Dennis to put the Big Red up 6-0.

Iowa bounced back to notch two major decisions at 141 and 149 pounds to grab an 8-6 advantage.

The Big Red grabbed back the lead with No. 4 Jordan Leen winning a 13-8 major decision over Iowa’s Matt Ballweg at 157 pounds. No. 1 ranked Mack Lewnes followed with a 3-2 win over Ryan Morningstar at 165 pounds. With the win, Lewnes improved to 25-0 on the season.

The Hawkeyes switched gears after the 165 pounds bout to grab wins at the final four weights. Iowa’s Jay Borschel defeated Steve Anceravage at 174 pounds by a score of 7-3. At 184 pounds, Phillp Keddy picked up a 6-2 win over Big Red sophomore Justin Kerber. Iowa lengthened its lead to 17-13 with a 4-3 win by Chad Beatty against freshman Cam Simaz at 197 pounds. In the final match of the dual, junior Taylor Moore was pinned by Iowa’s Dan Erekson in 1:46.

The Big Red will return home next weekend to play host to Eastern Michigan for a 1 p.m. match on Saturday afternoon.

125 - Troy Nickerson (Cornell) dec. J.J. Krutsinger, 4-0
133 - Mike Grey (Cornell) dec. Daniel Dennis, 4-3
141 - Alex Tsirtsis (Iowa) maj. dec. Corey Manson, 10-2
149 - Brent Metcalf (Iowa) maj. dec. D.J. Meagher, 18-6
157 - Jordan Leen (Cornell) maj. dec. Matt Ballweg, 13-5
165 - Mack Lewnes (Cornell) dec. Ryan Morningstar, 3-2
174 - Jay Borschel (Iowa) dec. Steve Anceravage, 7-3
184 - Phillip Keddy (Iowa) dec. Justin Kerber, 6-2
197 - Chad Beatty (Iowa) dec. Cam Simaz, 4-3
Hwt - Dan Erekson (Iowa) pinned Taylor Moore, 1:46