By Andy Hamilton
Iowa City Press-Citizen
Ty Eustice flipped through his newspaper Wednesday morning and discovered something unusual in the college wrestling rankings.
There was a No. 1 next to his name.
“It looked funny, “said Iowa’s top-ranked senior 149-pounder. “I’ve never been there before. I like it, but it doesn’t really matter. At the end of the year, I hope my name is next to that No. 1. But it’s a good deal.
“To come from not having the No. 1 ranking, maybe it means I’m improving or doing something right. It’s nice, but it motivates you even more when you know you want to be there at the end of the year more than anything.”
Eustice claimed the top spot in the rankings thanks to a 4-2 victory Saturday against defending NCAA champion Zack Esposito of Oklahoma State. The win — Eustice’s first in three career tries against Esposito — pushed his record to 9-0 this season.
In order for Eustice to remain undefeated and retain the No. 1 ranking, he’ll need to be at his best again this weekend at the National Duals in Cedar Falls. Iowa opens the tournament against Nebraska, and each subsequent victory for the Hawkeyes could set up Eustice with a challenge.
A possible meeting with sixth-ranked Eric Tannenbaum of Michigan could await Eustice in the second round. The Wolverine sophomore All-American won both meetings last year.
If Iowa can get past Michigan, Esposito and Oklahoma State would likely meet up with Eustice and the Hawkeyes in Sunday’s semifinals.
“Against a guy like Esposito or Tannenbaum this weekend, if I’m not ready to wrestle, I could get beat, “Eustice said. “I need to be ready to wrestle hard from an individual standpoint because the guys I’ve lost to at my weight — Esposito and Tannenbaum — they come out hard. I’m always going to be into the match, but sometimes it takes me a little while to get going.”
The tournament also features third-ranked Jon Masa of Hofstra, No. 4 Mark DiSalvo of Central Michigan and Minnesota true freshman Dustin Schlatter, who is ranked eighth.
Reach Andy Hamilton at 339-7368 or [email protected].
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