IU stays focused as season’s end nears

This is it. The final stretch. IU wrestling is almost at a close, with two regular season matches remaining.

As the season is in the process of winding down, the Hoosiers will battle Southern Illinois University Edwardsville on Sunday to see if they can pick up a win before their final Big Ten match. In addition to squaring off against SIUE, the Hoosiers have also added duals against Knox College and Lindenwood-Belleville University. 

Though IU has not faced off against Knox or Lindenwood-Belleville, the Hoosiers have history against SIUE. Earlier in the season, the Hoosiers knocked off SIUE with a 33-11 win. While IU earned a victory against the Cougars, IU Head Coach Duane Goldman said the team cannot count any competition out as every match matters.

“Coach [David] Ray is a proven winner and we will have to be prepared,” Goldman said. “It has been a tough couple of months for us and we cannot take anyone for granted.”

As always, Goldman said he expects the highest quality of performance from all of his wrestlers, and the mindset is one of the keys to a victory.

“We just need to continue to wrestle hard and with high expectations,” Goldman said.

Since the last time SIUE and IU met, there have been many changes and transformations on the team. Season-ending injuries and injuries along the road have forced the Hoosiers to reevaluate their lineup and change their line of action.

The return of junior starter Ryan LeBlanc will help the Hoosiers. LeBlanc earned a 10-3 win against Purdue Monday, maintaining his national ranking of 15. Though Purdue was only his first match back, LeBlanc said he is ready to move forward and the steps he is taking to help the team as much as he can in the duals on Sunday.

“It’s just training. It’s the end of season,” LeBlanc said. “It’s getting my shape to where it needs to be, getting in with the coaches and getting ready to make that final push, taking it to the next level and finding that next gear.”

With the return of his weapon at the 165-pound position, Goldman said the team is in a sense complete now and is ready for the duals Sunday, as well as its last home match against Northwestern.

“It’s nice to know that you have someone [LeBlanc] in there that’s going to get the win and represent you well, and it gives you a little peace of mind,” Goldman said.

Though the team is more complete now with LeBlanc’s return, the Hoosiers will still have to face the three schools with a much different lineup than the beginning of the
season.

“Our lineup is very different as situations have changed,” Goldman said.
When the Hoosiers step foot on the mat this weekend, they will have gone six matches in a row without a win. However, Goldman said they are not out for the count quite yet.

“Our guys have been training hard and doing what we expect of them,” Goldman said. “A win would be welcomed and well deserved.”