ST. LOUIS – Eight University of Iowa wrestlers advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2021 NCAA Wrestling Championships following second-round wins Thursday night at the Enterprise Center.
The Hawkeyes scored bonus points in 12 of 18 wins, putting together an 18-2 record on the opening day. Iowa recorded six major decisions, five technical falls and one pin. The Hawkeyes’ four top-seeds – Spencer Lee, Jaydin Eierman, Alex Marinelli and Michael Kemerer – outscored their opponents by nearly 100 points, 127-30.
Iowa head coach Tom Brands said “Bonus points are crucial. They’re an indication of your team and philosophy and you can see the communication getting through to our guys. Our guys have horsepower and it is starting to come out.”
Iowa scored bonus points in five bouts in Session II and leads the team race with 33.5 points.
Austin DeSanto registered a first-period fall in one minute, 33 seconds, to finish his day with an opening round technical fall and a second round pin at 133.
Lee scored a takedown and pair of four-point tilts on his way to a 15-5 major decision at 125. He outscored his opponents, 32-6, Thursday and has outscored his opponents, 149-19, in 12 career matches at the NCAA Championships.
