Dan Erekson, Iowa heavyweight
(Photo/HawkeyeSports.com)
The University of Iowa Hawkeyes, defending NCAA Division I team champs, will be starting the new season without their All-American heavyweight.
Dan Erekson has a torn pectoral muscle, which will require surgery, and is expected to be out 2-3 months, according to various reports, including the blog of Andy Hamilton, Hawkeye wrestling writer for the Iowa City Press-Citizen.
Erekson, a senior from Eagle, Idaho, suffered the injury this past week in a practice session with teammate Jordan Johnson.
“I had a cradle locked up and he sat out,” Erekson told Hamilton. “Right as he sat out, my tendon gave way.”
According to Hamilton's report, doctors have told Erekson that he would be out 2-3 months after next week's surgery, but he hopes to be back in action sooner.
Erekson is likely to miss two key early-season events: The Iowa City Duals on November 20, and the December 6 Iowa State dual.
Erekson placed fourth at the 2009 NCAAs, earning All-American honors. By pinning cross-state rival David Zabriskie of Iowa State in the consolation semifinals, Erekson gave his team 5.5 points; Iowa won the team title by just 4.5 points. Two weeks earlier, Erekson won the Big Ten heavyweight title by scoring a major decision over Wisconsin's Kyle Massey in the finals. During the 2009 season, Erekson compiled a 27-8 record.
As to who might fill in for Erekson, speculation centers on Blake Rasing, a 6'2" sophomore from New Hampton, Iowa.
Erekson's injury was the second bit of bad news for the Iowa Hawkeye wrestling program in one week. Last Sunday, Joe Slaton was arrested for shoplifting at an Iowa City discount store.
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Blake Rasing (Photo/HawkeyeSports.com)
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