[bears9]

CEDAR FALLS – Iowa captured its first National Duals title since the Dan Gable era Sunday and did it with a performance reminiscent of the Hawkeyes from the glory years.

Iowa pounded Nebraska 24-6 in the championship dual Sunday afternoon at the UNI-Dome, completing a two-day performance in which the second-seeded Hawkeyes won 32 of 40 matches to claim their first National Duals title since 1996.

“This is a national championship, this is what you come here for and you’re pretty proud of what’s going on, but we don’t let our guard down,” Iowa coach Tom Brands said. “I gave them a couple compliments after (winning) the Midlands and I’m going to keep the compliments to myself now. We’re going to continue to be hard drivers and do it right, but be hard drivers because this team has a lot of potential.”

Iowa seized control of the championship dual by winning the first five matches, highlighted by a 3-2 victory at 125 pounds from Charlie Falck against defending NCAA champion Paul Donahoe, an 11-4 win from Joey Slaton at 133 against sixth-ranked Kenny Jordan and a 6-2 victory from Brent Metcalf over No. 6 Jordan Burroughs at 149.

Hawks return to glory