ST. LOUIS — The University of Iowa wrestling team advanced six wrestlers to the quarterfinals of the 2017 NCAA Wrestling Championships on Thursday night at the Scottrade Center.
Needing a big second session, the Hawkeyes opened with six straight wins and got back into the team title race following a pin by No. 3 Sammy Brooks (184), a technical fall by No. 2 Michael Kemerer (157) and a major decision from Thomas Gilman (125).
Cory Clark (133), Brandon Sorensen (149) and Alex Meyer (174) all advanced to the quarterfinals with decisions.
Iowa is in fourth place in the team race with 24.5 points. The Hawkeyes trail Penn State (30.5), Ohio State (26), and Oklahoma State (25.5).
Penn State and Oklahoma State both have seven quarterfinalists, while Iowa has six and Ohio State five.
"Day two is on the horizon," Iowa wrestling coach Tom Brands said. "There are a lot of big matchups tomorrow. There are going to be some big matches against teams that are in the team race, so we are going to be ready to go."
Northern Iowa has six wrestlers still alive and is currently in 16th place in the team standings. Iowa State sent three wrestlers to nationals and only one — redshirt senior Lelund Weatherspoon — is still alive. Weatherspoon went 1-1 on Day 1.
Iowa’s Gilman advanced to the quarterfinals for the third straight year with a 22-8 win. He scored 41 points and recorded two major decisions in the tournament’s opening day, establishing the pace for an team that was 16-3 overall and enters day two with all nine wrestlers still alive in the tournament.
Clark is in the quarterfinals for the fourth time. The three-time all-American advanced with a 10-5 decision. Sorensen is going to the quarters for the second straight year.
Iowa's lone loss on the championship side of the bracket was at 197, where Cash Wilcke lost 4-1 to No. 4 Jared Haught. Wilcke will compete in the consolation round Friday with teammates Topher Carton and Joey Gunther.
Two Panthers are still alive for an NCAA title, while four more are still in the hunt for third place.
Max Thomsen (149) and Drew Foster (184) are making the most of their national debut with two wins on the championship side of the bracket.