David Scrivner/The Daily Iowan Iowa 133-pounder Daniel Dennis wrestles Iowa State's Nick Fanthorpe during their quarterfinals match in the NCAA Wrestling Championships in the Qwest Center in Omaha, Neb. on Friday, March 19, 2010. Dennis won, 4-3.
OMAHA, Neb. – Iowa’s Daniel Dennis was tied with Iowa State’s Nick Fanthorpe, and less than 30 seconds remained in their quarterfinal match.
But with 16 clicks to go, Dennis struck and scored a takedown to secure his 4-3 win.
Ideally, Dennis said he wanted to lock up the match with a flurry of points in the first and second periods. Ultimately, he wanted to avoid overtime.
“It was being aware in my head that now is the time, I have to go,” the 133-pounder said. “There’s a sense of urgency there, and I was looking to be more aggressive.”
Although the match was closer than he wanted it to be, Dennis said he wasn’t down on his victory.
“First and foremost, you want to keep progressing in the right direction in the tournament. It’s good getting my hand raised,” the Ingleside, Ill., native said. “Could it have been a wider gap in my mind? Yeah. In his mind? Probably not. In his mind he probably should have won.
“But I’m going to be selfish right now and say it could have been a bigger gap.”
Dennis’ confidence in his scoring ability allowed him to gain separation at the end of the bout. The senior said he knew he could get the takedown if he had to, and he went out and did just that.
Dennis will need to keep his self-belief heading into his semifinals match. He will face defending NCAA champion Franklin Gomez of Michigan State.
The Hawkeye has bested the Spartan twice this season, but both matches were separated by just one point.
The first win came in dual meet competition, where Dennis and Gomez went into the first tiebreak period tied at 2. Dennis scored an escape, then rode Gomez out to take a 3-2 decision.
Dennis’ second victory came in the semifinals of the Big Ten Championships. He scored a takedown with 14 seconds left, giving him a 4-2 lead. But Gomez reversed the Hawkeye to knot up the score as the clock neared zero.
A locked hands call on Gomez would give Dennis a thrilling 5-4 win.
Dennis said he isn’t afraid the third time with Gomez will flip the score.
“I’m worried about getting ready to wrestle. It doesn’t matter who I have,” he said. “If I go out and wrestle Gomez, and I’m ready to wrestle, I like my chances. If go out and wrestle Ness, and I’m ready to wrestle, I like my chances.
“Really, it’s not being more confident in my opponent, it’s establishing that confidence in yourself.”
— by J.T. Bugos
