'This is what I envisioned when I came here': Record crowd sees Wisconsin wrestling almost upset No. 2 Iowa at the UW Field House.

'This is what I envisioned when I came here': Record crowd sees Wisconsin wrestling almost upset No. 2 Iowa at the UW Field House.

MADISON – In his role as the head wrestling coach at the University of Wisconsin, part of Chris Bono’s job is to promote the program to recruits and fans.

MADISON – In his role as the head wrestling coach at the University of Wisconsin, part of Chris Bono’s job is to promote the program to recruits and fans.

Sunday, his team did the talking. Sparked by a stunning upset win by Tyler Dow and highlighted by top 10 wins from senior Austin Gomez and sophomore Dean

Sunday, his team did the talking. Sparked by a stunning upset win by Tyler Dow and highlighted by top 10 wins from senior Austin Gomez and sophomore Dean

Hamiti, the Badgers, who are ranked 13th in the nation by Intermat, came to the brink of upsetting second-ranked Iowa before falling on the third tie-breaker at the UW Field

Hamiti, the Badgers, who are ranked 13th in the nation by Intermat, came to the brink of upsetting second-ranked Iowa before falling on the third tie-breaker at the UW Field

House. Get daily updates on the Packers during the season. The Hawkeyes took home a 19-18 win. The Badgers went home with the satisfaction of knowing that

House. Get daily updates on the Packers during the season. The Hawkeyes took home a 19-18 win. The Badgers went home with the satisfaction of knowing that

they gave a show to a record crowd of 5,256 that including numerous youth and high school teams. Maybe a seed was planted. “This is what I

they gave a show to a record crowd of 5,256 that including numerous youth and high school teams. Maybe a seed was planted. “This is what I

envisioned when I came here,” Bono said. “We now have to put 6,000 people in here for every match. It’s such a home-field advantage for us. I’m proud of the way we fought. I keep

envisioned when I came here,” Bono said. “We now have to put 6,000 people in here for every match. It’s such a home-field advantage for us. I’m proud of the way we fought. I keep

telling these guys we’re in an upward trajectory.” The performance capped a bounce-back week for the Badgers, who started Big Ten play 0-3 but scored a 28-9 win

telling these guys we’re in an upward trajectory.” The performance capped a bounce-back week for the Badgers, who started Big Ten play 0-3 but scored a 28-9 win

over Purdue Friday and won five of the 10 matches against Iowa Sunday. The dual featured three matchups pitting wrestlers with top 10 rankings nationally.

over Purdue Friday and won five of the 10 matches against Iowa Sunday. The dual featured three matchups pitting wrestlers with top 10 rankings nationally.

Wisconsin won two of them: Gomez, who is ranked No. 2 at `149 pounds, defeated No. 7 Max Murin, 5-3, and Hamiti, who is ranked sixth at 165, beat No. 10 Patrick Kennedy, 4-3.

Wisconsin won two of them: Gomez, who is ranked No. 2 at `149 pounds, defeated No. 7 Max Murin, 5-3, and Hamiti, who is ranked sixth at 165, beat No. 10 Patrick Kennedy, 4-3.

Senior Eric Barnett, who is ranked sixth at 125, was pinned by three-time national champion Spencer Lee at the 4:38 mark.

Senior Eric Barnett, who is ranked sixth at 125, was pinned by three-time national champion Spencer Lee at the 4:38 mark.