Big wins for wrestlers during winter break

The IU wrestling team was very busy over the last three weeks, piling up individual and team honors. IU had plenty of individual honors in the form of individual rankings. \nBut, in their first two dual meets of the year IU was 0-2. The Hoosiers were looking for more team success, and they found it during winter break. \nIn their first home meet of the year, the Hoosiers upset No. 9 Missouri on Dec. 21. After that, IU started 2003 on the right note when they dominated the Buckeye Duals in Columbus, Ohio, on Jan. 4. At the Buckeye Duals, the Hoosiers faced four different schools -- Clarion, Northern Illinois, Buffalo, and Duke -- and beat them all. \nThe Hoosiers started off the 2002-2003 season with the Missouri Open. At the Open, the Hoosiers got a good look at the host Missouri Tigers that may have helped them prepare for their meet on Dec. 21. \n"It was a great team effort," coach Duane Goldman said after the Missouri victory. "Our guys really wanted the win, and they worked hard to get it."\nAfter the Missouri meet, the Hoosiers still stood at 1-2. But that wouldn't last for long. Freshman Joe Dubuque (125-pounds), junior Coyte Cooper (141-pounds), sophomore Pat DeGain (197-pounds), and junior Ty Matthews (Heavyweight) all went undefeated at the Buckeye Duals to help the Hoosiers improve their record to 5-2 and earn the No. 23 ranking in the country. Goldman once again attributed his team's success to good old-fashioned hard work. \n"I'm really impressed with the effort shown today," Goldman said after the Buckeye Duals, "We are continuing to grow as a team, and the guys continue to work hard to progress."\nThe young Hoosier squad will look to stay on a roll when they participate in the Wendy's Duals on Sunday, Jan. 12. The tournament, hosted by Ashland and taking place in Ashland, Ohio, will include such schools as Purdue, Pittsburgh, Ashland, Northwestern, University of Tennessee-Chattanooga, Gardner-Webb, and Cleveland State. The Hoosiers will face UT-Chattanooga at 10 a.m., Cleveland State at 2 p.m., and Ashland at 4 p.m.