From the corner chair

First look impressive

The Iowa wrestling team opened its season on Friday at the UI Field House's North Gym. The atmosphere and the results were impressive.

Iowa went 3-0, beating Iowa Central (52-0), Coe (51-0) and Minnesota State-Mankato (45-3).

There were seats for about 700 fans in the ancient North Gym. More than 1,500 squeeded in.

The wins were expected, but the way the Hawkeyes won was impressive - 17 pins in 29 wins, two technical falls (both by Matt Ballweg) and three major decisions.

Alex Tsirtsis won both his matches by pin a 141, Brent Metcalf went 3-0 with three first-period pins and Dan Erekson, the new heavyweight, won three times by fall.

Here are the results, from the UI Sports Information office:

Iowa 52, Iowa Central 0

125 Charlie Falck (I) maj. dec. Patrick Hunter (ICCC), 14-5

133 Daniel Dennis (I) dec. Billy Murphy (ICCC), 4-2

141 Alex Tsirtsis (I) pinned Vinny Pisani (ICCC), 0:28

149 Brent Metcalf (I) pinned Tanner Kampen (ICCC), 2:06

157 Matt Ballweg (I) pinned Donnie Bell (ICCC), 1:46

165 Ryan Morningstar (I) dec. Bradley Banks (ICCC), 8-3

174 Jay Borschel (I) pinned Samuel Bonsu (ICCC), 2:45

184 Phillip Keddy (I) pinned Joey Davis (ICCC), 1:36

197 Chad Beatty (I) pinned Joe Johnson (ICCC), 4:52

Hwt. Dan Erekson (I) pinned Phil Mandzik (ICCC), 2:07

Iowa 51, Coe 0

125 Charlie Falck (I) pinned Josh Eller (C), 2:09

133 Daniel Dennis (I) dec. Brandon Ball (C), 7-5

141 Alex Tsirtsis (I) pinned Johny Siegel (C), 2:47

149 Brent Metcalf (I) pinned Mark Carey (C), 1:56

157 Matt Ballweg (I) tech. fall Bryon Grothus (C), 15-0, 3:12

165 Ryan Morningstar (I) maj. dec. Tyler Burkle (C), 12-3

174 Jay Borschel (I) pinned Seth Rehn (C), 1:14

184 Phillip Keddy (I) pinned Greg Lalla (C), 1:44

197 Chad Beatty (I) dec. Rob Kramer (C), 7-1

Hwt. Dan Erekson (I) pinned Mitch Sander (C), 1:11

Iowa 45, Minnesota State Mankato 3

125 Charlie Falck (I) pinned Andy Forstner (MSUM), 1:46

133 Daniel Dennis (I) pinned Brian Reisenauer (MSUM), 2:05

141 Dan LeClere (I) dec. Travis Elg (MSUM), 10-4

149 Brent Metcalf (I) pinned Tommy Abbott (MSUM), 1:32

157 Matt Ballweg (I) tech. fall Darren Olsen (MSUM), 17-2 in 5:07

165 Ryan Morningstar (I) maj. dec. Tel Todd (MSUM), 14-3

174 Jay Borschel (I) dec. Tim Matheson (MSUM), 14-9

184 Phillip Keddy (I) won by forfeit

197 Pat Mahan (MSUM) dec. Luke Lofthouse (I), 5-4

Hwt. Dan Erekson (I) pinned Tom Block (MSUM), 0:41

Wake up early, Hawk fans

If you are a fan of the Iowa wrestling team and want to catch an early look at the team, wake up early on Friday.

Iowa will host the inagural Iowa Duals, starting at 9 a.. on Friday against Iowa Central. Coe is up next at 10:30 a.m., followed by Minnesota State-Mankato at 3:30 p.m.

Iowa then hosts Arizona State - not part of the Iowa Duals - at 3:30 p.m.

Another twist to this is that the Iowa Duals will be held in the Iowa Field House, where Dan Gable built the Hawkeye team into a national power. The ASU dual will be in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

This is a great way to kick off the season, albeit a bit early for some fans. But getting Iowa Central and Coe in front of big crowds is a big deal, a great opportunity.

Marion shocker

I took a break this afternoon from the corner chair to survey the state volleyball tournament at the U.S. Cellular Center.

All I can say is "Wow."

I was impressed with several things - the crowd is the first thing you notice, large and loud; then the play on the court; and lastly the Marion Indians. I caught the end of Marion's upset of Sioux City Heelen.

The Indians never gave up, getting down early and in the fifth and deciding game. They battled and battled and finally pulled off the upset, earning a spot in Saturday's championship.

The play on the court was impressive, especially during the Class 4A match between Iowa City West and Ankeny. I don't see a lot of volleyball during the season, but this wasn't my first state tournament.

I was impressed with the speed of the game, especially when a wayward ball came bouncing toward my head, and the athletes on the court. The level of play definitely has improved in recent years, likely because more and more girls are playing club volleyball.

This is a great event for our city, especially this year with so many still trying to get their homes or businesses back. The folks who put this on this tournament do a wonderful job and the girls put on quite a show.

Congratualions to all the participants, the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union and especially those Indians on this day.

Inside the Iowa wrestling room

One thing I didn't report about in Thursday's paper following the Iowa wrestling media day was the decision Coach Tom Brands has at 133 and 141 pounds.

It's a great situation that likely will be settled on the mat, but Brands indicated it may also come down to his decision.

As of right now, Daniel Dennis is No. 1 at 133, ahead of NCAA runner-up Joe Slaton. And at 141, Alex Tsirtsis has the nod over last year's starter, Dan LeClere.

It's great to have that kind of depth, but the loser in these battles probably won't see any positives. All four could wrestle for just about any Division I program in the country. Tsirtsis is a senior, red-shirting last year. If LeClere wins that spot, he'll end his career with one all-American finish - in 2006.

Brands said the cliche answer is it's good for the competitiveness in the room, but he knows how tough those situations can be on the individuals.

Whoever wins those two positions should have an outstanding season.

This, too, is a clear sign that the Iowa program is back on solid ground. Jim Zalesky often talked about buidling the room - more bodies, more competition at each weight - but couldn't get the bodies.

This reminds of the best of Dan Gable's years, when a wrestler didn't crack the lineup until his junior or senior year, then won a national title.

Ready to meet the Hawks?

The wrestling season is getting closer and closer - seriously.

The top-ranked University of Iowa Hawkeyes held their wrestle-offs last week and on Wednesday will hold their preseason media day.

There was nothing real surprising in the results, except maybe the tough match that Montell Marion gave Daniel Dennis at 133 pounds. Dennis won, 4-1.

Where was Joey Slaton? There hasn't been any official word, but the rumor is that weight may have been an issue.

Charlie Falck at 125, Brent Metcalf at 149, Ryan Morningstar at 165, Jay Borschel at 174 and Chad Beatty at 197 all won easy.

It will be interesting to see if Morningstar sticks at 165 and if Beatty can handle 197 pounders outside the Dan Gable Wrestling Complex.

Iowa is the team to beat, no doubt. But that doesn't mean this will be a ho-hum season. There will be interesting individual battles and keep an eye on Iowa State, Ohio State and a few other teams.

Gentlemen, clear the mats.