Upper Iowa opened their 2017-18 campaign with a dominating 51-3 victory over Truman State University in Dorman Gym. The Peacocks, ranked No. 8 in the NCAA Division II Preseason Top 25, won nine of the ten matches including seven by fall, one by decision and one by forfeit.
 
After Ryan Schmalen (1-0) picked up the win by forfeit at 125 pounds, the Peacocks scored a pair of falls at 133 and 141 to take a quick 18-0 lead in the match. Maleek Williams (#7, 1-0) led 5-0 early in the second period after a pair of takedowns and an escape to open the second frame. Williams turned his second takedown into a winner with a fall at 3:54. Josh Walker (#4, 1-0) wasted no time converting an immediate takedown into a fall just 14 seconds into the bout.
 
Hunter Slifka (1-0) made it 21-0 in favor of the home team with an 8-4 decision at 149 pounds. Slifka took a 6-1 lead into the second period after a pair of takedowns and a two-point nearfall. An escape and a ride time point in the final period set the final score and gave Slifka the win over Nick Peglow of TSU.
 
Upper Iowa raced through the middle weights with three straight pins by Brock Benitz (1-0) in 1:53 at 157 pounds, Cody Nelson (1-0) in 1:05 at 165 pounds and Jordan Gundrum (1-0) in 0:55 at 174 pounds. All three falls came after an early takedown by the UIU wrestler.
 
Jamie Gehling (1-0) made it four straight falls in the 184 pound bout, but had to work for his fall. Gehling recorded five takedowns before finding himself in position to finish the match early. The fall came with just three seconds to go in the second period (4:57).
 
UIU's final fall of the night came at 197 pounds when Nick Baumler (1-0) got an early takedown, scored four nearfall points and then worked his position into a pin as the seconds ticked away in the first period (2:52).
 
Truman's lone win on the night came in the heavyweight match when Ashton Mutuwa defeated Triston Westerlund (0-1) 4-3 after the second tiebreaker period thanks to a 7 second advantage in ride time. Both wrestlers scored three escapes prior to the final ride time point that broke the tie.
 
Upper Iowa will be right back at it this Saturday, Nov. 4. Peacocks that are redshirt sophomores or younger will be wrestling in the Yellow Jacket Open hosted by Rochester Community and Technical College in Rochester, Minn.
 
Upper Iowa 51 - Truman State 3
November 2, 2017 - Fayette, Iowa
 
125: Ryan Schmalen (UIU) over (TSU) (For.)
133: Maleek Williams (UIU) over Caleb Osborn (TSU) (Fall 3:54)
141: Josh Walker (UIU) over Ethan (Drew) Rentschler (TSU) (Fall 0:14)
149: Hunter Slifka (UIU) over Nick Peglow (TSU) (Dec 12-5)
157: Brock Benitz (UIU) over Dakota Schutter (TSU) (Fall 1:53)
165: Cody Nelson (UIU) over Luke Kotomos (TSU) (Fall 1:05)
174: Jordan Gundrum (UIU) over Malik Beverly (TSU) (Fall 0:55)
184: Jamie Gehling (UIU) over Shane Gallagher (TSU) (Fall 4:57)
197: Nick Baumler (UIU) over Will Tindal (TSU) (Fall 2:52)
285: Ashton Mutuwa (TSU) over Triston Westerlund (UIU) (TB-2 4-3)