ryan-c-young@uiowa.edu

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Jake Kerr’s first match of the Big Ten championships might as well have been a two-on-one tag-team bout inside Crisler Arena.

During his postseason debút against fifth-seed Sean Nemec of Ohio State Saturday morning, he spent most of the seven minutes wrestling with his mind.

“I worry about how I feel way too much,” he said. “I need to get over that.”

Fortunately for Kerr, his brain also helped him fight off Nemec for a 5-3 win.

But anxiety could be a much more difficult opponent to overcome later tonight, too, when Kerr takes on top-seeded Colton Salazar of Purdue in the championship semifinals.

During the pair’s January matchup, Salazar escaped with a 6-4 sudden victory win in West Lafayette, Ind.

Kerr admitted nerves and the electric tournament atmosphere played a part in his mind games, which seemed to translate into static offense.

After managing two first-period takedowns for an early 4-1 lead, the Oskaloosa, Iowa native tallied his last point against Nemec on an escape just as time expired in the second period.

Kerr’s stagnant legs also allowed the Buckeye to keep the match close, something that left Iowa head coach Tom Brands mildly disgruntled.

“There were points left out there,” the fourth-year headman said. “That’s not how you win national championships, or Big Ten championships, or matches. … You don’t give guys chances.”

A chance proved to be all Kerr needed to secure his first Big Ten championship win, though.

Brands’ belly might as well have been a Magic Eight Ball Friday morning when he chose Kerr over junior Aaron Janssen, who wrestled 12 bouts for Iowa at 157.

Kerr said Brands didn’t explain his “gut decision.” But even with his status in limbo throughout the week, he added, the wait wasn’t nearly as mentally draining as it had been at times during the regular season.

“I’ve been doing good in the wrestling room, so I mean I was a little bit more at ease,” he said. “But of course, it bothers me.”

All-American heavyweight Dan Erekson did not make his season debut against the Wolverines. Instead, Iowa’s Blake Rasing took the mat and closed out the dual with a 6-1 decision over Ben Apland.

Daniel Dennis won his bout at 133 for the Hawkeyes, shutting down Zac Stevens, 2-0. Meanwhile, two-time defending Big Ten champion Brent Metcalf posted the lone technicall fall in 6:47 with a 22-7 win.

At 165, Ryan Morningstar edged Michigan’s Aaron Hynes, 6-4, in sudden victory. And Luke Lofthouse upset Michigan’s No. 9-ranked 197-pounder Anthony Biondo, 9-6.

– by Ryan Young

No. 1 Iowa 36, Michigan 0
125 – Matt McDonough (I) maj. dec. Sean Boyle (M), 14-3
133 – Daniel Dennis (I) dec. Zac Stevens (M), 2-0
141 – Montell Marion (I) maj. dec. Mark Weber (M), 19-6
149 – Brent Metcalf (I) tech. fall Mark Boyer (M), 22-7 in 6:47
157 – Aaron Janssen (I) maj. dec. Dave Johnson (M), 12-4
165 – Ryan Morningstar (I) dec. Aaron Hynes (M), 6-4 SV
174 – Jay Borschel (I) dec. Justin Zeerip (M), 6-0
184 – Phillip Keddy (I) maj. dec. Erich Smith (M), 10-2
197 – Luke Lofthouse (I) dec. Anthony Biondo (M), 9-6
HWT – Blake Rasing (I) dec. Ben Apland (M), 6-1