Wrestling: Iowa wraps up team crown, places five in the finals
It was a high five Iowa wrestling fans won’t soon forget.
All five Hawkeye semifinalists earned the right to climb onto the elevated mat for Saturday night’s national championship matches with victories on day two of the three-day competition at Qwest Center Omaha.
Iowa clinched its third straight NCAA crown and 23rd overall before Friday’s semifinals were completed and holds a commanding 105.5-64.5 advantage over second-place Cornell. Ohio State (56.5), Iowa State (53) and Minnesota (49) round out the top five.
The Hawkeyes have three other wrestlers going for seventh on Saturday. Iowa coach Tom Brands said it was gratifying to wrap up the team title before the final day of competition.
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“It shows that you’re in control. It shows that you’ve wrestled well as a team,’’ he said. “I don’t think it lessens the urgency of winning five titles and three sevenths. But it’s flexing your muscles, you know?’’
Iowa’s finalists are third-seeded freshman Matt McDonough at 125, second-seeded senior Daniel Dennis at 133, sixth-seeded sophomore Montell Marion at 141, second-seeded senior Brent Metcalf at 149 and second-seeded senior Jay Borschel at 174.
McDonough won 14-3 by major decision over unrated Cashe Quiroga of Purdue. Dennis scored the winning takedown with 37 seconds left in the one-minute sudden-victory period for a 5-3 win over third-seeded Franklin Gomez of Michigan State.
Marion trailed 10th-seeded Tyler Nauman of Pittsburgh in the second period, but took a 7-5 lead on a reversal with 1:32 left in regulation, and held on for a 7-6 win.
Metcalf set up Saturday’s anticipated showdown with top-seeded Lance Palmer of Ohio State with a 6-2 win over third-seeded Kyle Terry of Oklahoma.
And Borschel saved the best for last, rallying from a 9-3, second-period deficit for a thrilling 10-9 win over third-seeded Christopher Henrich of Virginia.
Travel Deals: Up to 25% Off at Starwood Hotels
Starwood Hotels & Resorts is offering up to 25 percent off at its properties worldwide through May 31.
The sale, which includes brands like the W, Westin, Sheraton, and Le Méridien, is available for Thursday through Sunday stays at Starwood hotels, and every day of the week at Starwood resorts. Some properties are also offering perks like upgraded rooms and suites. Book by March 30 by visitingstarwoodhotels.com or calling (866) 924-8704 and using the promo code 383511.
Sample rates include:
- Le Méridien Dubai, United Arab Emirates, $157
- Sheraton Cairo Hotel, Egypt, $172
- Sheraton Nassau Beach Resort, Bahamas $179
- Sheraton Saigon Hotel & Towers, Vietnam, $188
- The Westin Sydney, Australia, $215
- W Santiago, Chile, $235
- The Park Lane Hotel, London, $240
- W Times Square, New York, $259
http://intransit.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/03/19/travel-deals-up-to-25-off-at-starwood-hotels/
2009 Los Angeles Auto Show
If the North American auto show season has an official kickoff party, the Los Angeles Auto Show is it. In addition to world debuts of the 2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe, 2011 Toyota Sienna and VW Up! Lite Concept, the 2009 LA Auto Show again played host to the Green Car of the Year announcement, which went to a diesel car for the second year in a row. The LA Auto Show is also a first chance to see and touch the cars unveiled around the world in the eight months since the New York Auto Show, which this year included jaw-droppers like the 2011 Lexus LFA and 2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG.
