IU has one top finisher at Open

Looking to recover from a disappointing road trip last weekend, the IU wrestling team took to the mats of the University of Northern Iowa Dome Saturday along with nearly 300 other wrestlers for the 52nd annual Northern Iowa Open. \nThe hosting Panthers dominated their tournament, earning six of the ten weight class titles. Northern Iowa sophomores Mark Manchio (133-pounds), Eric Hauan (174-pounds), Jordan Holm (184-pounds) and Sean Stender (197-pounds), and juniors Jon Garvin (149-pounds) and Drew Kelly (165-pounds) all won their weight class titles. \nBut IU was able to steal some of Northern Iowa's thunder. Once again, junior Coyte Cooper led the way for the Hoosiers, improving his overall record to 5-1 after defeating Northwestern senior John Giacche 3-1 to win the 141-pound weight class title. Cooper was IU's only first place finisher. \n"Coyte wrestled very well," coach Duane Goldman said in a statement. "He is getting close to his old form."\nFreshman Joe Dubuque wrestled well in the125-pound weight class, earning fourth place. Dubuque was injured in his semi-final bout and could not wrestle in the third place bout. There has been no word as to the extent of the injury. \nSophomore Pat DeGain lost to Stender in the semi-finals of the 197-pound weight class. Stender went on to take first place, and DeGain had to settle for third. \nSenior Greg Schaefer earned fifth place in the 133-pound weight class by defeating Iowa's Trent Goodale. Freshman Brady Richardson went to overtime to defeat Northern Illinois junior Bryce Hasseman 7-5 to earn fifth place in the 174-pound weight class. And freshman Andy Rios won sixth place honors in the 184-pound weight class to round up IU's top finishers.\n"We are continuing to develop as a team," Goldman said. "This weekend was a good stepping stone for a lot of individuals."\nThis was IU's last competition before winter break. IU's next competition will be Saturday, Dec. 21, when they open their home season by hosting Missouri.