at Indiana
February 2, 2001
NO. 1 MINNESOTA WRESTLERS DOWN NO. 23 INDIANA 25-12
The top-ranked University of Minnesota wrestling team defeated No. 23 Indiana 25-12 in Bloomington, Ind., winning seven of ten matches to improve to 14-1 on the season, including a 3-0 mark in Big Ten dual meets. The Golden Gophers won four of their matches by major decision.
The meet started at 184 pounds, the featured match of the night, with fourth-ranked Damion Hahn facing Indiana's fifth-ranked Viktor Sveda. With the score tied at one, Sveda scored a takedown with two seconds remaining in the third period to defeat Hahn 3-1. Hahn fell to 22-3 overall and 12-1 on dual meets. Minnesota rebounded at 197 pounds as No. 9 Owen Elzen posted a dominating 12-0 major decision on No.17 Ty Matthews. Elzen tallied a three-point near fall in each period to cruise to victory. Heavyweight Garrett Lowney remained undefeated on the year, downing Mike Dixon 2-1. Lowney, now 9-0, gained the match-winning point at the end of regulation with his 1:10 of advantage time.
At 125 pounds, Indiana's Greg Schaefer, ranked 16th, pulled off a major upset, downing third-ranked Leroy Vega 6-1. Schaefer used a three-point near fall in the second period to roll to the win. The Golden Gophers responded once again behind third-ranked Brett Lawrence's 4-2 triumph over Brian Smiley at 133 pounds. Lawrence moved to 19-4 on the year with a 10-3 record in duals. The Hoosiers gained six team points at 141 pounds, as Chad Erikson was forced to forfeit for failing to make weight. IU's Coyte Cooper was credited with the victory.
Trailing 12-10, the Maroon and Gold won the meet's final four matches to remain unbeaten in the Big Ten. Third-ranked Jared Lawrence gave the Golden Gophers four team points with his 14-5 major decision triumph over Gabe Cook at 149 pounds. Lawrence scored six takedowns and ended with 2:02 of advantage time. At 157 pounds, fifth-ranked Luke Becker posted an 18-6 major decision on IU's Alex LaPointe, tallying six takedowns, one reversal, a three-point near fall and 4:28 of advantage time in the victory. Becker improved to 23-4 on the year and stayed undefeated in Big Ten duals at 3-0.
Third-ranked Brad Pike kept Minnesota on the major decision win streak with his 12-4 triumph over No. 12 Kevin Stanley. Pike never trailed and only allowed points to the Hoosier on escapes. Jacob Volkmann closed the meet at 174 pounds, snapping a four-match losing streak with his 9-4 defeat of Jack Wade. Volkmann, ranked 16th, ended with 2:47 of advantage time in the win. The Golden Gophers face No. 6 Illinois, Sunday, Feb. 4 at 1 p.m. in Champaign, Ill., in Big Ten dual meet action.