Real Woods takes second, Iowa wrestling takes second at NCAA Wrestling – Hawk Central

Real Woods of Iowa secured a runner-up finish at the NCAA Wrestling Championships on Saturday, as the Hawkeyes placed second to Penn State in the team competition.

Woods, a redshirt senior from Antioch, Illinois, won the 149-pound weight class, notching a victory by technical fall in the final. He finished the season with a 25-5 record and a Big Ten championship.

Iowa, which had won the team title the previous two years, came in second with 141 points, while the Nittany Lions posted 159.5 points. It marked the seventh time in 11 years the Hawkeyes finished as runners-up.

Oklahoma State, Nebraska and Minnesota rounded out the top five teams in the competition.

Woods, who entered the tournament as the top seed, advanced to the finals with an 8-2 victory over Princeton’s Matthew Kolodzik. He then rolled to a 15-0 victory over Penn State’s Jarod Verkleeren in the championship match.

“It was a long road, but it was worth it,” Woods said afterward. “I’m so proud of my teammates, coaches and everybody that helped me get here. It’s been a great four years here at Iowa.”

Real Woods of Iowa achieved a runner-up conclusion at the NCAA Wrestling Championships on Saturday, as the Hawkeyes were outpointed by Penn State in the inter-team competition. Woods, a redshirt senior from Antioch, Illinois, claimed the 149-pound event by technical fall in the final, and concluded the season with a 25-5 record and a Big Ten championship.

The Hawkeyes, who had won the team championship for the previous two years, were bested by the Nittany Lions with a total of 141 points to their 159.5. This marks the seventh time in 11 years that Iowa has been the runner-up.

Woods, who entered the tournament as the top seed, progressed to the finals on the back of an 8-2 victory over Princeton’s Matthew Kolodzik, before emerging triumphant from the championship match against Penn State’s Jarod Verkleeren with a 15-0 scoreline.

“It was a protracted trail, but it was worth it,” Woods declared afterwards. “I’m so glad of my teammates, coaches, and all who assisted me in getting here. It’s been a wonderful four years here at Iowa.”

Oklahoma State, Nebraska, and Minnesota followed in the pecking order with Oklahoma State, Nebraska, and Minnesota completing the top five teams.