The Peacocks, ranked #8 in the latest NWCA poll, shutout the Wolves of Northern State University Saturday afternoon in Aberdeen, S.D. Upper Iowa used three falls, two major decisions, two forfeits and three decisions to earn the 47-0 victory. The big win pushes UIU's record to 10-1-1 overall and 2-0 in the NSIC.
Under Head Coach
Heath Grimm, now in his fourteenth season at the helm of the UIU program, the Peacocks have now posted 10 shutouts in seven different seasons. Upper Iowa defeated Knox College 54-0 and Illinois College 57-0 in Grimm's first year at the helm. The Peacocks defeated UNC Pembroke 47-0 at the National Duals in 2006, Northern State University 45-0 in an NSIC dual in 2007, a perfect 60-0 shutout of Wagner in 2009 at the Sprawl and Brawl Duals and a 41-0 NSIC dual win over MSU Moorhead in 2010. Last season, the Peacocks defeated Waldorf College, 53-0. Earlier this season at the Chuck Porter Duals, UIU shutout Hannibal-LaGrange, 58-0, and Calumet College, 57-0.
The Peacocks took a quick 12-0 lead as
Mitch Funk picked a win by forfeit at 125,
Matt Paulus won an 8-6 decision at 133 and
Duane Richardson earned the 3-2 decision at 141.
At 149,
Edwin Cooper (#5 NWCA) won by fall (1:07) posting his 18th pin of the season and fifth straight win by fall. The victory marked his 30th of the year.
Zak Benitz followed with a win by fall (2:52) at 157. The sophomore scored his pin with eight seconds remaining in the opening period to push the lead to 24-0.
Redshirt freshmen
Dalton Westerlund and
Colbey Vance kept the momentum on Upper Iowa's side. Westerlund scored a 5-2 decision at 165 and Vance got the win by fall (2:48) at 174.
After a forfeit at 184 gave
Brock Gobin a win,
Carl Broghammer (#2 NWCA) toed the line at 197. UIU's redshirt senior moved within 8 wins of the all-time record for wins in a career at Upper Iowa with a 10-2 major decision. The victory was his 11th straight, 29th of the year and 129th of his career.
Logan Hopp (#7 NWCA) wrapped up the dual with a 20-9 major decision to set the final score, 47-0. The major was Hopp's fourth and the redshirt freshman has now won 10 of his last 11 matches.
On the day, the UIU wrestlers scored 54 takedowns, while NSU posted just 22. The Peacocks also claimed 16 reversals without allowing one to their hosts.
Next Up
The Peacocks will welcome the Mustangs of Southwest Minnesota State University to Dorman Gym Sunday afternoon for Military Appreciation Day. The dual is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m.
UIU 47 - NSU 0
