Hoosiers beat Wildcats

After losing four consecutive Big Ten dual meets, the IU wrestling team got on track against Northwestern Friday night. Things were looking up for the Hoosiers from the start when freshman Joe Dubuque returned to the lineup for the first time since Jan. 24. \nThe only action Dubuque had seen during the Big Ten season was during a loss in the conference opener to Penn State. Friday Dubuque helped the Hoosiers start the evening off right.\nThe first bout of the night pitted Dubuque against Northwestern sophomore John Valez in the 125-pound weight class. Dubuque had not faced competition for about three weeks, but that did not stop him from defeating Valez 9-7.\n"It was good to have Joey back in the lineup," coach Duane Goldman said. \nSenior Greg Schaefer and junior Coyte Cooper won the 133 and 141-pound weight classes respectively for the Hoosiers. Schaefer scored a 12-2 major decision over Northwestern sophomore John Ott to make the lead 7-0. Cooper's 3-0 victory over Wildcat senior John Giacche gave the Hoosiers a 10-point lead.\nThree straight wins brought the Wildcats to within one point of the Hoosiers with a score of 10-9, but this was as close as Northwestern would get.\nSophomore Pat DeGain put the victory on ice for the Hoosiers by pinning Northwestern freshman Matt Delguyd and pushing the Hoosier lead to 22-9.\nThe meet ended with Northwestern forfeiting the heavyweight bout making the score 28-9.\n"It was good to get a win here, because the next three teams we are going to face are all in the top ten," DeGain said, referring to upcoming meets against Illinois, Iowa, and Minnesota.\n"We have to start somewhere," Matthews said. "Now we have to focus towards Illinois, Iowa, and Minnesota."\nBut, now the Hoosiers will only have to focus on Iowa and Minnesota. Due to the weekend's inclement weather and poor traveling conditions, Sunday's meet between the Hoosiers and the Illini in Champaign, Ill., was cancelled.