IU wrestling’s final weekend on the road didn’t go as planned. The team lost Friday to No. 3 Iowa and on Sunday to No. 8 Minnesota.
The Hoosiers are now 5-12 in dual competitions on the season, and have finished their Big Ten schedule with a record of 1-8.
The Hawkeyes made quick work of the Hoosiers and won by a score of 37-9.
Iowa came out ready to dominate in the matchup. The Hawkeyes opened the night with a quick pin to secure a technical fall victory.
IU stayed in the fight early, but it wasn’t enough to slow down Iowa, a team in pursuit of another undefeated conference season.
Freshman Kyle Luigs managed an upset in the 141 pound weight class over No. 18 Max Murin of Iowa. Luigs led his matchup late into the third period, and with less than a minute remaining he secured his fourth fall of the season to win the match.
Senior Jake Danishek was also a bright spot for the Hoosiers. His 5-1 victory bumped him up to 17 wins on the season, which includes five during Big Ten action.
Despite the loss for IU, the team scored its most points against Iowa since 2012.
But things didn’t get much better as the team traveled to face Minnesota on Sunday.
The Hoosiers lost their final conference dual of the season 34-3 against the Golden Gophers.
Junior Buddy Conley was the only wrestler to put points on the board for IU. Conley won a 4-2 decision in a sudden victory to take down Minnesota’s Brandon Krone in the 184 pound weight class.
Several of IU’s freshman gave Minnesota trouble in the matchup, but none could grind out a win.
Despite the loss, freshman Paul Konrath put on a show for IU in the third period of his match by outscoring Ethan Lizak 11-4. Lizak would go on to win the bout 19-11.
Luigs lost a close match as well despite his major advantage in riding time. He was defeated by Mitch McKee 8-5.
With the conference portion of their schedule completed, the Hoosiers only have one dual competition remaining before the Big Ten Wrestling Championships.
That matchup will come against University of Tennessee at Chattanooga for IU's senior day Feb. 24.
