IU wrestling matches up against 2 opponents

Domination is the name of the game as the IU wrestling team goes against Wabash College and Manchester College in its first tri-meet of the season.

“I just don’t want to beat guys,” said Paul Young, the 165-pound starter. “I want to destroy them. I want to be able to wrestle a perfect match.”

The meet was originally supposed to be a dual between Wabash and IU, but Wabash scheduled Manchester for the same day. But having a second opponent isn’t changing the approach of the wrestlers.

“I think you keep the same mentality,” said 2007 national champion at 125 pounds and team captain Angel Escobedo. “You don’t want to take any opponent lightly. ... I’m going to go all out.”

Being the favorite can bring added pressure for success. But the IU squad is hoping to avoid that mentality going into the meet.

“I try not to see it that way,” Escobedo said. “I try to see it as a brand new year, a brand new season and a brand new record. I like to see myself just as any other wrestler, just going for that national title.”

Wrestlers hope to get more of the kinks worked out from their experiences in the Michigan State Open on Nov. 9. Young went to the semi-finals at the open, losing to the eventual champion and injury defaulting in the consolation match. He and coach Duane Goldman saw some areas on which he needs to improve.

“You learn a lot more from your losses than you do from your wins,” Young said. “It kind of gives you something to work toward. I was a little hesitant, so I have to work on pushing my pace in the match.”

Goldman said this matchup will be a one hour weigh-in, which means wrestlers will have one hour to prepare after seeing if they have made weight for the upcoming matches. This can be a challenge because many wrestlers have to work to make weight up until they have to weigh in.

Goldman said he expects his wrestlers to still perform at a high level despite the challenges of making weight.

“It’s our first time making weight with a one hour weigh-in,” he said. “I want us to make weight well and be ready to compete with that one hour weigh-in.

“You have to respect every opponent. You need to be prepared. ... We’ll see how it turns out.”