Feb. 11, 2011
MISHAWAKA, Ind. - Purdue senior Luke Manuel saved a shutout against second-ranked defending national champion Iowa University on Friday night as the 23rd-ranked Boilermaker wrestling team fell to the Hawkeyes, 37-3, at Penn High School in Mishawaka, Ind. The Boilermakers fell to 6-8-1 overall and 1-5 in Big Ten Duals, while Iowa kept its enormous win streak intact, improving to 13-0-1 (6-0 Big Ten).
The Boilermakers were forced to start in the worst possible weight as due to injuries they had to field backups at 184, 197 and 285 pounds. The Hawkeyes capitalized with major decisions at all three weights en route to a 12-0 start. Top-ranked sophomore Matt McDonough made it 18-0 at 125 pounds, catching Purdue freshman Camden Eppert in a cradle and scoring the fall at 4:28, and three more major decisions followed at 133, 141 and 149 pounds.
Purdue senior Colton Salazar was the first Boilermaker of the evening to score a takedown, taking two from seventh-ranked freshman Derek St. John at 157 pounds early in the bout, but after a nasty cut to his head faltered in a 9-4 decision. The lead grew to 37-0 at 165 pounds as 13th-ranked senior Aaron Janssen used a slick switch to start the second for a reversal and three back points on his way to a major decision.
The Boilermakers snared their only win of the evening at 174 pounds as Manuel defended his No. 8 national ranking against No. 11 freshman Ethen Lofthouse. Lofthouse led early, scoring on a single-leg in the first period, but Manuel rallied with two escapes and a pair of third-period takedowns to score the 6-5 decision and prevent the shutout.
The Boilermakers return to action Sunday, hosting Michigan State University at Holloway Gymnasium. Dr. Don Shelbourne will serve as the Boilermakers' honorary captain and the dual will start at 1 p.m.