IU begins rivalry matches

Fresh off their first conference victory of the season, the IU wrestling team members return to the familiar position of underdog when it travels to No. 25 Illinois at 7 p.m. today in a dual meet.

IU head coach Duane Goldman said he expects a closely-contested dual that the Hoosiers, despite not being favored, can still win.

“There are a number of matches we can be in,” Goldman said. “We’re going to need to win them to come away with a victory.”

One such match that may yield a major sway in the overall outcome is at 125 pounds, as IU freshman Justin Brooks, coming off a win against Michigan State, faces freshman Logan Arlis. With no matchups pitting two ranked wrestlers against each other, matches at 125, 165, 174 and 184 pounds with unranked wrestlers could likely determine the overall outcome.

Another matchup of unranked foes could be at 149 pounds if senior Kurt Kinser is unable to go for the Hoosiers, as he was against Michigan State. Sophomore Geno Capezio would likely fill in again, if necessary.

Kinser is not helped by the quick turnaround between matches for the Hoosiers. The team will close the season with three meets in eight days, including today’s meet with Illinois and another match against Purdue on Friday.

“It’s a pretty quick turnaround,” Goldman said. “Making weight two days in a row is a pretty big challenge. We need to refocus and be ready to compete again. It’s good tournament preparation as well.”

With the Big Ten tournament on the horizon, the matches this weekend also carry implications for the postseason.

“It comes down to individual matchups as far as it will work out for seeding for various guys at various weights,” Goldman said.

“It will affect their seeding in the Big Ten, which could determine whether or not their season continues at the nationals.”