Wrestlers travel to Vegas for final nonconference tune-up

The IU wrestling team currently stands at 6-0 in duals but faces a major step up in competition this weekend.

The Hoosiers travel to Las Vegas for the annual Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational in their final tune-up before Big Ten matches begin.

Touted as perhaps the most difficult tournament in college wrestling outside of the national championships, this year’s Las Vegas Invitational features 12 teams currently ranked in the top 25, including top-ranked Cornell. Every weight class features numerous wrestlers ranked in the Intermat top 20 rankings.

The weight class of 157 pounds looks to be an especially difficult weight with three of the top four wrestlers in the country competing. Senior Paul Young is currently ranked sixth in the weight and sports a 9-1 record on the year.

Teams are allowed to enter one wrestler per weight class. The Hoosiers are expected to enter the same group of 10 wrestlers that have composed their primary dual lineup this year.

Sophomore Ryan Konz will continue to fill in for injured redshirt freshman Ryan LeBlanc at 165 pounds. All but senior Eric Cameron, at 174 pounds, currently have winning records. Cameron is 5-6. Junior Matt Powless remains undefeated on the season and leads the team with his 10-0 record.

Last year at the Las Vegas Open, the Hoosiers finished in sixth place, largely on the strength of individual championships by then-seniors Angel Escobedo and Nate Everhart. Young finished fifth at 165 pounds, and Powless placed eighth at 197 pounds.

The Hoosiers return to the mat when they open their conference season at home against Northwestern on Dec. 15.