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(05/13/02 3:35am)
CINCINNATI -- For those people who train for a marathon, many just hope to finish the race. IU junior Nathan Dufault was different -- he wanted to finish the race in less than three hours.\nAnd he nearly did.\nSunday, Dufault completed the Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon in a time of 3:08:57. He ended the race in 100th place out of the 3,881 men and women who finished the 26.2-mile event, defeating over 97 percent of the runners. Many more competitors never crossed the finish line. \nThis was the fourth running of the Flying Pig Marathon, which has gained national recognition since its inception in 1999.\nThis was his first marathon, but he said he was pleased with his effort.\n"I had never run one before so I didn't have too many goals," Dufault said. "I wanted to break three hours, but the last couple of miles kicked my butt."\nDufault trained for the Flying Pig during the 12 weeks leading up to the race. Six days a week, he trained whenever he found time -- often he would start running late at night. During those weeks he also balanced schoolwork, which he said was stressful at times.\nHis roommate, junior Matt Webster, said because of Dufault's success at the Mini-Marathon and his dedicated training, his finish wasn't surprising.\n"I ran with him once, and it wasn't fun, because he was bored and I was tired," Webster joked. "Other times I would ask where he was going, and he would just take off running."\nThroughout the 12 weeks of training, Dufault's longest trial run was 18 miles. \nSaturday night, he rested at the Hyatt Regency hotel in downtown Cincinnati. At 6:30 a.m. the following morning, the gun sounded.\n"It was really foggy and dark," he said. "For the first 8-10 miles I couldn't see 20 feet ahead of me."\nDufault said the next ten miles were filled with strange occurrences, including people relieving themselves on the side of the road. One man continued to run despite losing control of his bowels during the race. \nFor Dufault, fatigue set in late in the race.\n"Around mile 22, my hamstrings started to tighten, so I really had to pick up my legs and set them down," he said.\nBut he said once the race began he was focused and paid little attention to his surroundings. \nHis mother, Jody Dufault, said he was a hard worker as a high school runner.\n"I was really surprised to see how high he finished with this being his first marathon, because I know he didn't know what to expect," she said. "But Nate's the type of boy that puts his mind to do something and does it 100 percent."\nDufault said he had thought of trying out for the IU cross country team, but enjoys the freedom to run and train at his own pace as opposed to the demands of a college program. Someday he wants to qualify for the prestigious Boston Marathon, though right now he has no immediate running plans.\n"I'll probably take a year off from this kind of running and maybe run some small races," he said. "I am thinking about maybe a triathlon"
(03/29/02 8:16pm)
Start the grill.\n Make your reservations at your favorite sports bar. Buy a new styrofoam cooler from Wal-Mart. Bring all your friends in from out of town. Call the people you know at Purdue and laugh in their faces.\nBloomington has been revitalized, and tomorrow night the world stops for two hours when the Hoosiers take the court on the grandest of stages at the 2002 Final Four.\nTomorrow night will be a landmark event for IU students. Regardless of the outcome, stories will be told Monday and many more Mondays in future years. Students will remember exactly where they were the night their school played in the national semifinal. The innocent freshmen won't realize that this might not happen again during their college careers. The seniors will break from their late-semester job searches and flood bars and apartment complexes in recognition that life in the "real world" will never render this type of spirit and excitement.\nThe students are why this game is important.\nBeyond the binge drinking, late-night pizza and early classes, there is a place where all the worries of school are submerged and the need to celebrate is overwhelming. The basketball team is made up of students who represent other students, and together they suffer and celebrate. Some students followed IU basketball from infancy, while others casually watched on Saturdays. But for better or worse, when people inside and out of the University think of IU, they don't think of the excellent business and music schools. They think of basketball.\nThe same students who can't afford milk for their Cheerios or find time to do assigned class readings have scraped up the cash and set aside two days for a trip to Atlanta.\nAlumni and pure-hearted fans are the backbone of the program. Their presence is respected and support is undying, but the students are the voice. And without them the team is not successful.\n6:07 p.m. represents the culmination of the sweat, tears, disappointments and triumphs of the 2002 basketball season. The clash with a blazing-hot Oklahoma Sooners team is beyond any analysis. Some have written the Hoosiers off as fortunate to get this far but unlikely to survive. None of it matters at tip-off time. The Hoosiers will win if they do the things that make them a great basketball team. The Sooners will win if IU plays with hesitation or without heart. It's that simple.\nHead coach Mike Davis shocked the world with the win against Duke. His team's postseason success is a testament to how good a team can be when it believes in the system and philosophies of its coach. No team accidentally gets to the Final Four, and IU is no exception.\nI talked to a high school friend late Sunday night who is now a junior at Miami University (Ohio). He told me congratulations on the Final Four as though I was the one who hit 15 three pointers against Kent State. Never an IU fan before, he couldn't stop praising Davis.\nHe is the man, I love that guy, he is so cool.\nI agreed.\nI told him about the chaos since the Duke victory. I described the Mardi Gras-like atmosphere on Kirkwood Avenue and scene at Showalter Fountain. He was envious and said he could only imagine.\nI said he couldn't.\nThe basketball team has given its students and fans new life, and the team has feasted on the excitement. Regardless of tomorrow night's outcome, students should be thankful for the memories their team has provided. The team should be equally as appreciative. \nAs game time approaches, the team and its fans again face the fact that they are not suppose to win.\nBut those fans, and especially students fortunate enough to be attending school during this miraculous run through the tournament, will remember exactly where they watched the game. Because of that, they've already won.
(03/07/02 5:49am)
IU has always been a team that stresses team concepts.\nBut Tuesday was a day when great individual performances of the 2001-2002 season were recognized. Key IU players in this year's championship team found themselves among the conference best for different reasons.\nAs of Tuesday afternoon, sophomore forward Jared Jeffries had accomplished more than most Hoosiers dream possible over a four-year career. Jeffries was selected as conference player of the year by both the media and coaches, and he was unanimously voted to the All-Conference First Team by each organization. He was voted Freshman of the Year last season.\nI was selected to the Delhi Tournament All Star Team when I played "D" league baseball in grade school, and I thought that was a big deal.\n Hobbled by an ankle injury, Jeffries struggled late in the season, but his dominating play early in the year won the media and coach's praise. \nJunior guard Tom Coverdale was justly selected to conference second team after establishing himself as a gritty player with a soft touch and the ability to control a game's tempo.\n His story might be the most intriguing and inspiring of all this year's Hoosiers. Coverdale collected warm-up jerseys on the bench his freshman season playing behind Michael Lewis and A.J. Guyton. He played only 41 minutes all season scoring only 10 points, nine of them in a game against Buffalo.\nCoverdale has proven that being a high school standout gets you into practice, but determination gets you on the floor.\nSenior Dane Fife is only the second IU player to earn the Big Ten defensive player of the year honor in a league notorious for toughness, defense and low scores. IU is consistently at the top of the league in team defense, making it difficult for individuals to stand out. \nNot surprisingly, Fife's trademark defense has been tremendous all season but it's his offense that has come alive. He has led the team in scoring with 20 or more points in three games this season. His previous career high had been 15 points.
(02/28/02 5:37am)
IU and Ohio State are the most friendly teams in the Big Ten.\nSomebody give them a "golden star" -- their mommies taught them well.\nIt would have been so easy for them just to play the type of basketball that positioned them to win the conference title outright, but they knew better. They've been spanked by their parents enough for being selfish, and they understand that the good people of Illinois and Wisconsin appreciate their generosity.\nImagine the spectacle. Four, maybe six Big Ten schools pick an evening and set their watches. It will be a landmark event. On the same night, at the same time -- the proud schools raise their conference championship banners on closed caption television. Referee crew Ed Hightower, Art McDonald and Donnee Gray, who have given Big Ten players, coaches and fans so much to talk about this season, will present each team a trophy. Tears will fill Mike Davis' eyes as he reflects. Parties will erupt throughout the Midwest.\nIU junior guard Kyle Hornsby said after the Illinois game that finishing the season tied for first takes a little "luster" away from the accomplishment. \nAbsolutely, but you're still a Big Ten champion. Right?\nI mean, you wouldn't mind sharing your girlfriend with four other guys? "Oh man, I just wasn't good enough to get her all for myself," you would rationalize.\nOf course not. Celebrating the title with two, three or four other teams reduces some of its meaning, especially for the Hoosiers. Illinois should be grateful if it comes away with a share of the title. The Illini spent the majority of their days working hard to stay alive in the conference and their nights in front of ESPN praying for conference foes to fall on their face. Wisconsin has three weak road losses at Penn State, Northwestern and Michigan. But nine days ago the Badgers defeated Iowa to extend an improbably winning streak to five -- then sat on the couch and watched the conference pieces fall into place like a computer nerd's Tetris blocks.\n But the IU free fall has been painful, both literally and figuratively. \n The teeth marks on Mike Davis' mouth have to be painful. He must have infections in those cuts after biting his lip after every bad call his team endures. I know his wallet still hurts from the Butler loss. Senior Jared Jeffries' ankle is still throbbing, but the real pain comes from watching his name get scratched off the conference player of the year trophy. There's Tom Coverdale's shooting struggles and Dane Fife's offense, which was so prolific early in the season but has drifted back into mediocrity.\nA 10-5 record in the Big Ten is nothing to complain about, and although it is not ideal, a share of the Big Ten title is also impressive. But the way IU has played "Jeckyl and Hyde" basketball is most troubling. IU shocked the conference and played with unmatched confidence early in the season.\nThen sputtered miserably down the stretch by not winning any important road games and dropping a heartbreaker to Wisconsin at home.\nAnd still, with a couple of (near impossible) scenarios materializing this weekend, IU could find themselves alone at the top of the conference or tied with one other team, assuming the Hoosiers will handle upstart Northwestern Saturday.\nA loss this weekend would be heartbreaking for the players and fans who have watched an underrated team rise to the top of the standings for most of the season. \nBecause of the great things the team has done early in the conference season, a tie for the championship, although an outstanding achievement, would lose some of its luster.\nBut watching Tuesday's officiating crew give a ceremonial speech at the end of the season.\nNow that would be truly painful.
(01/31/02 5:32am)
Take a look at your pocket IU basketball schedule. \nYeah, it looks like mine.\nWhen the athletics department issues schedules to gas stations, greek houses and any other venue a Hoosier might stumble upon, it consistently forgets one detail: highlighting this game.\nIU athletics could save thousands of IU fans the time it takes for them to highlight the IU vs. Purdue game on every schedule they carry in their pocket, hang on their walls and place in their offices.\nIt's fitting that this matchup falls during Super Bowl week. This is, regardless of each team's record, the most anticipated game of the year. This is IU basketball's Super Bowl.\nAs I finished breakfast yesterday morning, senior Jed Richman and I discussed tonight's game. I am not from Indiana, but I know this rivalry is big.\nJust how big, Jed?\n"How many times do I have to tell you? If we beat Purdue, we have a winning season," he said. "You just don't get it."\nBorn in Greentown, Ind., Richman grew up watching IU basketball and despising Purdue anything. \nRichman is old school. He likes Coverdale because he has heart. He enjoys a good half-court motion offense. He doesn't mind a fast-break layup because it still counts for two points. He would rather see a blocked shot by Jared Jeffries at one end and a smooth Kyle Hornsby three pointer at the other than five guys slapping the floor on defense only to get blown by off the dribble. Celebration is optional; hustle is an obligation. He still pulls for Bob Knight, even at Texas Tech.\n I guess I just don't get it.\n For every story like Richman's, there are hundreds more that will be told today concerning IU faithful's animosity toward their northern counterpart. \nThe Big Ten conference has escalated the importance of this year's battle. For the first time in 28 years, the traditional home-and-home series was disbanded. Tonight will be the only meeting between the two teams this season, with the exception of a possible matchup in the conference or NCAA tournaments. \nPurdue coach Gene Keady has been vocal to the press about the protection of this and other Big Ten rivalries. He has asked conference officials to consider creating "protected" rivalries to ensure each school a home game in the conference season. The Big Ten has not yet created any such regulation.\nSo the pressure piles up as tonight approaches and as the seniors on the IU team realize this may be the last time they face the team they have been taught to hate since they first put on red-striped warmups. \nThe fans, still spinning from the circus that was the Illinois game, will pack Assembly Hall.\nJ.T. Gripe, an IU sophomore, has to deal with the rancid faces every IU student and alum makes after he mentions he's from West Lafayette. But his home in Purdue country is laced with IU memorabilia, right down to the IU toilet-seat cover.\nBut being 10 minutes from the Purdue campus, didn't he ever pull for the Boilers?\n"Never, I've always hated that place," he said.\nTo be fair, I thought maybe I should get an opinion from a Boilermaker fan on what this rivalry means.\nBut then, who really cares what a Boilermaker fan has to say?\nI think I am starting to get it.
(01/17/02 5:39am)
IU basketball gets no love.\n I don't put all of my faith in college basketball polls. But let's be honest -- they're a necessary evil. And evil they have been to the red and cream…or whatever we are now.\nIU is currently playing the best basketball of the season and is arguably the hottest team in the Big Ten along with Ohio State. But the Hoosiers find themselves at the bottom of one poll and left out of another.\nOnly the computers give them any respect.\nIU is currently on top of the Big Ten conference after commanding victories over its first four opponents. The team is 10-5 overall and has played the fourth-most difficult schedule according to the latest RPI index. In the past two games, IU waxed then-No. 25 Michigan State by 18 points before embarrassing then-No. 13 Iowa on the road by 11 on national television.\n Did anyone else see that?\n The AP sportswriters ranked IU 25th, which was by no means generous but no doubt fair. But when the ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll was released Monday, the state of Indiana turned colder. Once again, the Hoosiers found themselves "also receiving votes" -- seven of them. \nOne reason is IU head coach Mike Davis and former coach Bob Knight.\nIf Knight still wears a red sweater in Bloomington instead of sending fingers ablazin' in Lubbock, Tex., this team would be ranked. Davis is young, unproven and purposely more out of the spotlight. \nIU is unranked.\nKnight's Texas Tech Red Raiders entered the week 13-2. Wow, that's good! They entered the week coming off a loss. That's not good. That loss was by 26 points to Oklahoma. That's real bad -- as is their 53rd-toughest schedule even after losing to Texas this week.\nTexas Tech received 13 votes.\nIU basketball is not getting the respect it once did, and the coaches are telling the nation so with their ballots. When once slapping on the Hoosier jersey automatically put you in the running for a top 25 nod, it now gets you slapped in the face.\nBut maybe that's good. The coaches are making a statement by putting teams such as Butler in the mix even after a loss to Detroit. The coaches are telling the basketball public that teams can no longer plead their cases with reputation, but with victories. After all, 31 coaches, including Fairleigh Dickinson's Tom Green, are voting for the best teams in the nation. Green's team is struggling at 2-12 and ranked last (324) in the RPI. You know he has no bias.\nThen we watch Michigan State, at 8-7, tally 13 votes after being blown out by the Hoosiers and upset by Wisconsin in East Lansing. \nThat's a statement. \nI can just see the coaches filling out their slips and thinking to themselves, "Well, the Hoosiers are playing good ball, but how 'bout dem Spartans. Sure they're playing the worst basketball in the conference and their record sucks, but they got Izzo." Check.\nOnly the computers give IU the respect it's earned in the past two weeks. IU stands at 14 in the RPI, second in the Big Ten behind worthy Illinois. But what can we make of that because perhaps even the computer's are biased? IU has been voted one of the most wired campuses in the nation. I think the computers know.\nThe top 25 of college basketball is arbitrary, biased, confusing and frustrating. But it's important. It's a measure of respect and a credit to the success and hard work of a team throughout the year. Rankings mean television ratings and school exposure (see Gonzaga).\nWith a victory Saturday in Columbus, the Hoosiers have a chance to extend their lead in the Big Ten and perhaps grab the attention of the voting coaches.\nThey might even coast by Wyoming, who received 15 votes this week.
(01/10/02 4:59am)
It was the most anticipated halftime warmup of the year.\nThe Hoosiers took the court with three minutes remaining before the start of the second half, IU slapping the Spartans 48-26. All eyes were on Tom Coverdale. Then it happened: The point guard missed his first three pointer since tip-off.\nThe 6-foot-2 former Indiana Mr. Basketball was flawless, and his first-half performance borderlined bizarre. \nLet's put it in perspective. Coverdale hit six three pointers last season against Wisconsin. In that game, he scored 24 points in 38 minutes. Tuesday, he had 20 points on seven-of-seven shooting, including a perfect six-for-six from the three-point line.\nAnd that was only in the first 20 minutes.\nAs I sat 31 rows up from the court at sold-out Assembly Hall, I could hear students yelling for Coverdale to shoot when he caught the ball. Understandable, but Coverdale caught the ball at center court after a timeout. \nWhen Coverdale hit his third consecutive three pointer, it was obvious the Spartans were in for a tougher challenge than Gerry Dinardo has in rebuilding the IU football team's offense. Following the fourth three pointer, which he sank in front of the MSU bench, one of the Spartan assistant coaches threw his head back behind his chair and ran his fingers through his hair in disgust. I can only imagine what MSU head coach Tom Izzo said in the next timeout:\n"Somebody put a hand in Coverdale's face, I don't care if you have to cover him 25 feet away from the hoop, he's killing us."\nI thought the Spartan players did a nice job executing. Then with 12 seconds before intermission, Coverdale catches and launches from 28 feet, hitting nothing but twine. \nWell coach, at least there was a hand in his face.\nHis performance was enhanced by the sharpshooting of fellow guard Dane Fife and the defense of forward Jared Jeffries. The rest of the team wasn't exactly stone-cold, either.\nWe might never see a performance like that from any IU guard this year. That is, unless IU coach Mike Davis implements some plays with double screens to open up Coverdale for 30-foot jumpers.\n\nDavis' new best friends\nOn Monday's broadcast of "The Mike Davis Show" at the Student Recreational Sports Center, a student told the coach of his dismay with the referees and asked for the coach's response. Davis' response was poetic:\n"I love referees now."\nThough the broadcast was on radio, I could nearly see the dollar signs in his eye when he followed that statement with, "$10,000 is a lot of money."\n Davis was referring the fine handed to him by the Big Ten following unfavorable comments about the referees after the Butler loss.\n No doubt Davis learned his lesson. In the first half Tuesday, an MSU player scrambled for someone to pass to but missed his target and the ball rolled out of bounds. The referees, claiming the ball touched Jeffries, whistled in favor of the Spartans. Jeffries argued as Davis crossed his arms and dipped his head. \nWith the amount of close games this season and the Hoosiers on the losing side of many of them, Davis has realized that costing his team points with technical fouls could mean the difference. \nOf course, Tuesday night there were plenty of points to spare.
(12/10/01 4:21am)
When someone comes in favored to win at your gym, it is an insult," point guard Donald Perry said after his team's 74-61 bouncing of No. 15 Ball State.\nI agree. The basketball team has given their student fans a clear conscience heading into this week's final examinations, and it has put a smile on the face of the die-hard alumni as the holidays approach.\nFurthermore, IU clearly has momentum for the upcoming contest against Miami and the showdown with highly ranked Kentucky Dec. 22 in Indianapolis.\nThe Hoosiers dominated a team that surprised the college basketball world with upsets against then top five ranked Kansas and UCLA at the Maui Inivitational to open the season. The Cardinals fought hard before falling to No. 1 Duke in the finals of that tournament. Ball State returned home from Hawaii with a top 25 ranking and was even referred to being "America's Team" in an Associated Press article.\nAfter IU's thrashing of the Cardinals Saturday, Ball State is as much "America's Team" as Cam Cameron was "Unlucky" in his career. As of Saturday, Ball State wasn't even "Indiana's team." \nThe Hoosier players were angered at being the underdog Saturday, but head coach Mike Davis was amused. Davis said his team gets no respect when they play at home, and when asked how he felt about Ball State being favored entering the contest, he responded, "I thought it was funny."\nMe too, coach.\nI thought it was funny when Tom Coverdale hit a three-pointer off the bench in the first half from somewhere near Ballantine Hall. I thought it was funny when Jeff Newton chased a Cardinal player from end to end to swat a ball into press row. I thought it was funny when out of a time out with five minutes remaining in the game and Hoosiers with a 10 point lead, Jared Jeffries jumped over Ball State players for one-handed slam off a teammates missed shot.\nInsulted, amused or whatever the motivation, IU out hustled the favored Cardinals to lead in every major statistical category except three point shooting.
(12/07/01 6:13am)
Nice win Tuesday guys -- I guess.\nThe Hoosiers win against a Notre Dame team that entered Assembly Hall with a perfect 7-0 record was gratifying, kind of. The Irish had three players score 17 or more points, and freshman guard Chris Thomas led the team with 24. But the Hoosiers won, and that's what matters. I suppose.\nI am hesitant to praise the team after Tuesday's performance and even more hesitant to predict any type of stellar performance against a dangerous Ball State team. With 17,000 fans behind them, the Hoosiers should have finished the Irish midway through the second half. Instead, the Irish nearly tied the game when Matt Carroll's tying three-pointer defied physics and rattled out. \nTuesday's victory saw Jared Jeffries score a career-high 28 points, and the team continued its dominance over the Irish. But regardless of the 5-2 record, Tuesday's win or the outcome of tomorrow's game with the Cardinals, the result of last Saturday's 72-60 loss to Southern Illinois thrashed my confidence in this team's capabilities. That loss was unacceptable.\nIU violated the most basic rule of college basketball. Teams with the tradition, fan support and recruiting options such as IU, Duke, UCLA or Arizona should never -- ever -- lose to a school with a direction preceding the state where the school is located (excluded are states in which the nature of the state name violates this principle, i.e. North Carolina). For example, IU should never lose to Southern Illinois, Central Michigan, Western Kentucky (despite its ranking) or South Florida. \nI don't care if SIU Arena is a hostile environment. I don't care if cheerleaders are setting up trip wire to take out Hoosier point guards. I don't care if some crazy Saluki stole Tom Coverdale's shoes and he was forced to play in his thick, Indiana farmboy socks -- IU should never lose to Southern Illinois by 12 points and get dominated in virtually every category.\nUnfortunately, the loss didn't hurt the worst. How the team lost was more traumatizing.\n Let's say the game was a total fluke, the referees blew the game or IU's starting five were drunk. Perhaps I could understand. But the Hoosiers were out-hustled, out-toughed and intimidated. And the players will be the first to admit it.\n The Hoosiers need to dominate Ball State tomorrow and prove that they can make a run at a conference title this season. The Hoosiers are fortunate the Big Ten conference is slumping, with only three teams ranked in the AP Top 25 and Michigan State near dropping out after getting beat by Florida Wednesday night.\n Ball State enters Assembly Hall ranked No. 15. The Hoosiers face the danger of falling to their third mid-major program after the one-point loss to Marquette and the Southern Illinois catastrophe. IU will be in the comfort of its own court and owes the fans a spectacular game. Not a spectacular first half, as against Notre Dame, or a spectacular individual performance, such as A.J. Moye's at North Carolina, but a solid overall effort.\nAfter the loss to Southern Illinois, head coach Mike Davis asked his players if they can't beat a team such as the Salukis on the road, what are they going to do against Big Ten teams such as Illinois and Michigan State during Big Ten road battles?\nA valid point.\nBut why look that far in advance? First, what are the Hoosiers going to do tomorrow afternoon?\nThis team has already established itself as a rule-breaker. Maybe IU faithful should be concerned about the team's matchup December 28 in the Ameritech Hoosier Classic at Conseco Fieldhouse.\nThe Hoosiers will take on Eastern Washington.
(11/30/01 4:59am)
As an elementary student, college basketball coach was my response when asked what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wanted to cut the net down after a championship victory, to teach future superstars, or to celebrate like Jim Valvano.\nThank you Mike Davis for proving why coaching college basketball is a dream I will never realize.\nDavis must have been delirious after his trip from Alaska to Chapel Hill at the tip off of Wednesday night's Big Ten vs. ACC showdown with North Carolina. Maybe his brain was still frozen, because there is no way he was thinking rationally when he drafted IU's starting lineup. \nImagine my elementary school dream comes true and I am taking my Hoosiers to the Dean Dome, the Taj Mahal of college basketball. The game is nationally televised against one of the nation's most historic programs in North Carolina. Forget their early season struggles, the Tar Heels are still tough to beat at home. As coach I would give the nod to experience and start the guys who have risen in big games, made the big shots and seen the most minutes. Makes sense right? Wrong.\n Coach Davis is living my dream because he is willing to do the unconventional. Starting freshman Donald Perry, and sophomores George Leach and A.J. Moye instead of three proven juniors Tom Coverdale, Jeffrey Newton and Kyle Hornsby was as logical to me as not studying in advance for a test. So now I will be studying well in advance.\nFrom the opening tip-off, Moye proved that he not only deserves to start for this team because he plays hard, but that he has the strength and shooting range as well. Leading the Hoosiers in scoring with 20 points, Moye's performance stunned Tar Heel players and brought a new versatility to the the Hoosier's small forward position. In 33 minutes Moye was 4-7 from three point range and 7-12 overall. He grabbed a team high six rebounds and one steal. His counterpart, Hornsby, was 1-4 on three-pointers and 1-4 overall in seven minutes of play. \nIn 17 minutes, Leach accumulated six points on 3-5 shooting. He also swatted four shots to bring his career high to 20. Yes 20. Leach has 11 more blocks than his next closest teammate Newton who has nine.\nDavis knew something that I didn't know. He knew that Coverdale believes he owns the point guard position. Starting Perry, a good player in his own right, sparked Coverdale\'s play. In 34 minutes off the bench, Coverdale scored 17 points, did not turn the ball over and was 6-6 from the free throw line. Coverdale has not missed a free throw in 14 attempts this season. \nDavis has convinced his players that the person playing the hardest and best at the time of the next game will see the floor regardless of experience. He has moved the spotlight away from Jeffries and balanced the scoring attack. In the season's first five games, the Hoosiers have had five different high scorers including career high's of 20 points from Moye last night and Fife against Alaska-Anchorage. \nI still think Davis is crazy, and I still think I will never be a college basketball coach. Davis' team is 4-1 and still yet to play a game within a 12 hour bus trip of Bloomington. Davis has given nine players over 70 minutes of court time. He knows that with the Ball State, Notre Dame and Kentucky games approaching he will need team depth and big plays from unlikely players. \nFive games into this season Davis has proven he is in full control of his team and their destiny. Undoubtedly he has shown that my coaching dream is impossible.\nI hope he never becomes a sportswriter.
(08/29/01 6:01am)
Right now, students throughout campus are declaring the college version of a New Year's resolution. Cushy summer desk jobs, lazy summer days near the pool and cruise vacations have negated all attempts to attain the perfect body.\nYou know who you are: The only six-pack you have is the one in the fridge, yet you deliver your roommates, parents, dogs and food closet the same empty lines. \nYou've heard the guys: "Dude, I'll be benching 320 lbs. by November." \nAnd ladies: "A few pounds are not that hard to lose."\nThe glory of a great body is not an uncommon goal for the college student. They are confined to a competitive atmosphere among peers and surrounded by outstanding fitness centers. While these factors motivate students to live healthier lifestyles, often the motivation leads to obsession and an over-working of the body.\nIf the summer heat led to laziness, or the summer job disrupted your training regimen, a return to any training should be approached with caution and some humility. \nIt is absolutely essential to avoid the "pick up where I left off" syndrome. Just because you led your "class C" co-ed softball high school alumni league to a league championship and were named "most valuable first baseman" does not automatically grant you the power to squat the same weight or run the same distance you did in April.\nOne consequence of over-training after a long fitness drought is soreness. Until teachers begin excusing you from class because your thigh hurts, it's important to understand why soreness occurs and how to avoid it. \nAccording to Geoff Eliason, IU assistant strength coordinator, our body works much like our minds in terms of stress.\n"Our bodies, no matter what the circumstance, whether weight training or academics, adapts to stress," Eliason said. "When we put our bodies under stress we adapt. In the summer we don't have to adapt to stress."\nWhen returning to a workout after a leave of absence, Eliason recommends a general workout rather than training specific muscles. Body weight exercises, such as push-ups and dips, as well as circuit training might be safe ways to begin the semester.\nLet's imagine you refuse to heed the advice of this column, and the love your life, whom you've never met, is on the leg machine next to you and you are determined to win their adoration with your best Lou Ferrigno or Marion Jones impression. There are certain measures which can be taken to improve your bodies recovery time after one such workout. Eliason said adequate sleep, a healthy diet and remaining well-hydrated can enhance the body's ability to adapt to stress.\nEach person's body will react differently when returning to a regular workout routine. Eliason offered his best advice on returning to training.\n"Be conservative, err on the side of caution," he said.\nSafety is most important when returning to the gym. Remember, if you are embarrassed by the guy lifting beside you with bigger arms, or the girl on the treadmill next to you with better legs, it would be even more embarrassing to be seen on the bench with a bar buried to your chest or found face first on the treadmill.
(04/17/01 6:12am)
The all-greek Row 5 features teams with a mixture of returning riders and rookies. Delta Tau Delta is the favorite to emerge out of this group, but a confident Sigma Nu team could slide to the top. Kappa Sigma has a third-year rider to share his experience with a young team.\nDelta Tau Delta (2:40.57)\nAs a team composed of three second-year riders and one rookie, experience could carry Delta Tau Delta to the top of the pack. \nThe Delts squad pushed its nerves to the brink during qualifications, where it finished in 2 minutes, 40.57 seconds on its third attempt. Despite not placing as high as junior captain Ryan Tolle thought the team had potential to, Tolle is using qualifications as a team motivator.\n"By qualifying 13th when we were practically walking our exchanges shows we are a strong team," Tolle said.\nThe depth of the team comes from junior Brad Agler and sophomore Sean Thornton. Agler, who placed eighth in the individual time trials, is the team's top sprinter, while Thornton and Tolle will set the pace with their endurance. Tolle said he was surprised with the early improvements of rookie Ben Romison.\nWith three riders from last year's sixth-place team, Delta Tau Delta could move up early and be a contender. \nSigma Nu (2:42.40)\nTwo senior returning riders and two sophomore rookies will attempt to improve on Sigma Nu's 23rd place finish last year. \nSenior captain Tyler Mensch will lead the team, while senior Ryan Greulich will need a strong performance for the team to finish near the top. Aiding these two will be sophomore rookies Chris Labelle and Chris Brady. \nConfidence will determine the impact the rookies will make, Brady said. He has benefited from Mensch and Greulich's experience throughout training.\nBrady said the rookies have been putting in extra time on the rollers to maintain the balance of the team. Mensch is expected to set the pace for the team at the start, and Sigma Nu has a chance to move up early in the race, Brady said. \n"I think we are going to do our best to avoid the wrecks," Brady said. "Our goal is to stay in the upper third of the teams throughout the race."\nKappa Sigma (2:43.25)\nTwo raw rookies, a young returning rider and an ambitious veteran will carry the victory dreams of the Kappa Sigma squad.\nSenior captain David Hawkins will test the cinder for a third year alongside second-year sophomore rider Jason Shaw and first-year riders, sophomores Ivan Stepanov and Andrew Carter. \nReturning from a 20th place finish in the 2000 race, Kappa Sigma qualified on its first try, which was unusual in the conditions on qualification day. Originally discouraged by his team's time, Hawkins said he was later pleased with a top 15 position. \nHawkins said Carter is a solid rider who is too often a timid competitor.\n"As long as he has his confidence he can be productive and not just a typical rookie," Hawkins said. "We are looking for some good things from him."\nHawkins will set the tone for this year's team and has established himself as the dominant rider.\n"Because of my experience, I am the leader and the strongest rider," he said. "I know how to stay in the pack"
(03/02/01 5:42am)
For a Big Ten wrestler to become a national qualifier, he must place in the top seven in his weight class or earn one of three wild-card spots at this weekend's conference championships.\nSo it\'s easy to qualify, right? In Big Ten wrestling, nothing is easy.\nMore than 60 wrestlers ranked in the top 20 nationally -- spanning 10 weight classes -- will compete at the prestigious conference championships Saturday and Sunday at Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill.\nIU has four individuals ranked in the top 20 and three returning national qualifiers. Six Hoosiers are pre-seeded in the top seven of their weight class for this weekend's tournament. No Hoosiers are favored to win a conference title, but sophomore Ty Matthews (197 lbs.) said this weekend is a fresh start for each wrestler.\n"You could be 0-10 in the Big Ten, but if you place in the top seven at the championships, you are going to nationals," Matthews said.\nThe road to nationals will not be smooth for any Hoosier, but sophomore Greg Schaefer (125) might have the most difficult road ahead. Schaefer, ranked seventh, will wrestle in a weight class with nine contenders in the top 20. He is pre-seeded third behind Iowa's Jody Strittmatter and Minnesota's Leroy Vega. Schaefer defeated Vega 6-1 earlier this year in conference action and has won nine consecutive matches, finishing the conference season 6-1\nRedshirt freshman Coyte Cooper (141) will test his 4-4 conference record against seven top-20 opponents. Pre-seeded seventh in his first conference championship, he said being mentally prepared and staying relaxed will be vital to a strong performance.\n"I think the one thing I am keeping in mind is that I have one chance to do what I want to do, as far as goal-wise as a freshman," Cooper said. \nCooper said he would most like to match up with Iowa's Doug Schwab this weekend. Schwab is ranked first nationally, but Cooper said anything can happen in a championship atmosphere.\n"If you are not ready to go, you can lose to a lot of the guys in the bracket," Cooper said. "But if you are ready to go, you can beat a lot of the guys in your bracket."\nSenior Gabe Cook (149) will make his final run in the conference showdown while true freshman Alex LaPoint (157) will make his debut. \nReturning national qualifier senior Kevin Stanley (165) will attempt to become a four-time national qualifier. The ninth-ranked Hoosier is 5-3 in the Big Ten, but has five other wrestlers ranked among the top 11 of the weight class, including No. 1 Donny Pritzlaff of Wisconsin. Stanley said this weekend is the first step to becoming an All-American. \n"If I can go back and beat the guys who beat me in the duals, not only could I jump up in the rankings, but it seeds me better in the NCAAs," Stanley said. \nIU's best chance for a Big Ten champion is returning national qualifier Viktor Sveda (184), a junior who is ranked fourth in his weight class, is 29-5 overall and 7-1 in the conference. Pre-seeded second this weekend, Sveda will have to beat fourth-ranked freshman Damion Hahn of Minnesota and top-ranked Nate Patrick of Illinois to win the trophy.\nMatthews is the final returning national qualifier for the Hoosiers. Matthews split time with junior Brett Becks throughout the season, but coach Duane Goldman chose Matthews for this weekend based on his experience and 18-6 record. Matthews said competing under the pressure of the Big Ten championships will be easier the second time. \n"Last year, I was a nervous wreck; I was terrible," Matthews said. "I froze up and didn't wrestle to my potential. I think this year I should be able to loosen up a little bit."\nSenior heavyweight Mike Dixon will need to record several upsets to claim a conference championship. Four of his opponents are ranked in the top five nationally, including Ohio State's Tommy Rowlands (No. 1) and Minnesota's Garrett Lowney (No. 2), who won a bronze medal at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Australia. \nPre-seeded eighth, Dixon said he is coming off his best week of practice this season and believes he has a chance to win the conference title.\n"I have been working with the coaching staff," Dixon said. "I think I am able to come through with stuff I wasn't able to early in the year"
(03/02/01 5:39am)
The pressure is rising.\nThis weekend marks the beginning of the end for each wrestler who has dreamed of becoming a national qualifier, All-American or national champion.\nThe IU wrestling team heads to Evanston, Ill. Saturday for the culmination of the conference season -- the Big Ten Conference Championships. Play opens at noon Saturday and ends Sunday at Welsh-Ryan Arena on the campus of Northwestern.\nNo. 20 IU looks to claim its 14th team title. IU hasn't won a Big Ten crown since 1943. Last year's team finished 10th. In the program's history, 41 Hoosiers have earned conference championships, with Roger Chandler most recently accomplishing the feat in 1997.\nFor each wrestler, the conference championships represent a chance to avenge losses suffered during the season. Coach Duane Goldman said he stresses to his team the importance of wrestling well in the conference season in preparation for conference championships. He said this weekend is similar to a new season for each wrestler.\n "Ultimately, this is where the road ends and starts again for them," Goldman said. "No matter how well their season has gone, it could be done or … even if they have had a bad season, they can turn that over with a great weekend."\n To become a national qualifier in the Big Ten, a wrestler must place in the top seven of the conference championships or earn one of three wild card spots, which are chosen by the coaches. Since 1992, Goldman has coached 38 NCAA qualifiers. In the 1993-94 season, Goldman coached a personal-best eight qualifiers. Last year's squad sent six to the national tournament. Three of those national qualifiers -- sophomore Ty Matthews (197 lbs.), junior Viktor Sveda (184) and senior Kevin Stanley (165) -- return this season.\nThe Hoosiers (15-6, 3-5 Big Ten) completed league play Feb. 3 with a win at Wisconsin. IU topped Northwestern, Purdue and the Badgers, and lost to Minnesota, Michigan, Michigan State, Illinois and Ohio State. Goldman said other teams did not expect his squad to rebound as well as they have.\n"Basically, our season was looked at dismally, as far as how our regular season would go," Goldman said. "But these guys have sucked it up and done a great job."\nInjuries have struck the Hoosiers throughout the season, though Goldman said it will not affect his team this weekend. Sophomore Greg Schaefer has recovered from an ankle sprain suffered last month and Sveda has fought back problems which have affected his training. \nRedshirt freshman Coyte Cooper has recovered from an ankle sprain and said the team is physically ready.\n"I think we are healthier than we have been all year," Cooper said. "Up to now, I think everyone's heads are up and everyone is ready to go."\nSenior Mike Dixon said last week's practice was intense, while this week has been a little slower. Goldman used this week of practice to work on fitness, technique and keeping his team healthy.\nCooper said he is encouraged by the past two weeks of practice and said the team's spirits are high. \n"We are serious, but we are joking around," Cooper said. "I think everyone has worked real hard and deserves to do well"
(02/15/01 6:00am)
Redshirt freshman wrestler Coyte Cooper doesn't use words like "maybe", "possibly" or "hopefully" when he discusses his individual aspirations at IU.\nHe uses the word "realistically." \n"Realistically, I believe I can be an All-American placing real high this year," Cooper said. "And next year, I expect to be a national champion."\nAssistant coach Mike Mena, a four-time All-American who wrestled at Iowa, was hired this season by head coach Duane Goldman to develop the light-weight wrestlers. Mena has worked with Cooper throughout the season on his technique and conditioning. He said he expects great results.\n"At this point in his career, where he is at, I am extremely impressed," Mena said. "If he is not a national champion this year, he will be an All-American, I guarantee it."\nCooper, 20, said he accepts these expectations as a challenge and not as a hope or dream. He is accustomed to success.\nHe has posted a 20-8 overall record with five wins by pin and three by technical fall in his first season in uniform. Friday against Michigan, Cooper upset No. 14 Clark Forward 3-2. Cooper said this was his best win to date -- he and Forward were the top two recruits in their weight class coming out of high school.\nAs a prep star in Anacortes, Wash., Cooper was a three-time state champion at Anacortes High School. He was also a three-time Junior National All-American. Cooper said he chose IU instead of Big Ten rivals Ohio State, Illinois and Wisconsin because of Goldman's aggressive recruiting.\nMena said Cooper has the ability to punish opponents and run them around the mat. Cooper's conditioning supersedes his other weapons, Mena said. Sunday, Cooper recorded a 28-12 technical fall against Northwestern's Josh Ballard. In the victory, Cooper recorded 13 total takedowns, with seven in the third period.\n"He humiliated that kid to the point where all the kid wanted to do was get off the mat. That is called dominance," Mena said of the match. "Cooper has the shape and ability to dominate, and it's only going to get worse for his opponents."\nAlthough he had visions of making a direct impact on college wrestling coming out of high school, Cooper said a redshirt year was his best option. That year allowed him to mature physically and mentally and improve his work ethic. He prides himself on out-working every opponent.\nSenior Mike Dixon recognizes Cooper's effort in practice and said he has a great future. \n"If he keeps it up he will be a stud come junior and senior year." Dixon said.\nMena said he believes his own success as a wrestler will help Cooper reach the pinnacle of college wrestling.\n"As long as Coyte listens to the coaching staff and absorbs everything that we offer, there is no reason why he should not be successful," Mena said. "He will be a multi-national champion without a doubt."\nCooper has won five consecutive matches leading up to the final weekend of Big Ten play. The victories included a pin, a technical fall and a triumph against a ranked opponent. \n"I am just now coming around," Cooper said. "I think what is happening now is I am starting to believe in myself on the mat. Once I do that, there is no limit to how good I can be"
(02/12/01 6:07am)
Friday, the wrestling team faced its fourth consecutive top-10-ranked conference opponent. Sunday, they faced the only unranked conference team.\nThe dual results were true to the rankings.\nThe No. 23 Hoosiers dropped their fourth consecutive conference dual to No. 5 Michigan Friday night 24-14. Sunday, the team ended the losing skid with a 38-6 thrashing of struggling Northwestern. The weekend split leaves the Hoosiers 14-5 overall and 2-4 in the Big Ten.\nAgainst Michigan, IU won four individual matches to Michigan's six, but three major decisions and a pin by the Wolverines accounted for the point difference. Michigan head coach Joe McFarland, who coached IU from 1990-92, said he is pleased to leave Bloomington with a win.\n"I was concerned coming down here about how we were going to compete," McFarland said. "I thought Indiana did a real good job of being aggressive in a lot of good matches."\nThe match began at the heavyweight division with senior Michael Dixon meeting No. 3 Matt Brink. Dixon struggled to score points and found himself with his stomach to the mat much of the time in the 4-2 loss. The loss was third straight for Dixon, who has wrestled the top three ranked wrestlers in his weight class in his past three matches.\nAt 125 pounds, No. 13 sophomore Greg Schaefer recorded a 20-4 technical fall over Michigan's Katsuhiko Sueda who wrestled in place of injured A.J. Grant who is ranked 10th. Michigan countered at 133 lbs. with a 18-6 major decision by Fowley Dowd against IU junior Brian Smiley.\nIn the next match freshman Coyte Cooper (141 lbs.) upset No. 14 Clark Forward 3-2. After a scoreless first period, Cooper opened a 3-1 lead after an escape and a take down in the second. An escape in the opening of the third period moved the score to 3-2, but a near take down for Cooper allowed him to hold on for the 3-2 victory as time expired.\n"It was a good win for me confidence-wise," Cooper said. "I figured going out there that I was going to hang in there and brawl and when my opportunities came I was going to get them."\nSenior Gabe Cook (149 lbs.) fell 4-0 in the next match and freshman Alex LaPointe (157 lbs.) was pinned in 4:52 to give Michigan a 16-8 advantage. The two teams would split the next four matches. \nA quick start helped No. 13 senior Kevin Stanley (165 lbs.) upset No. 6 Charles Martelli. Stanley led 4-1 after the first period and scored a take down with 33 seconds left to win 7-4. No. 4 junior Viktor Sveda (184 lbs.) defeated No. 6 Andy Hrovat 6-5 to defend his ranking. IU juniors Jack Wade and Brett Becks lost by major decision in the 10 point team loss.\nHead coach Duane Goldman said right now his team doesn't have enough power to beat the top teams.\n"We are wrestling well," Goldman said. "We are wrestling hard, but sometimes that much talent is tough to overcome."\nThe Hoosiers returned Sunday to University Gym and won seven of nine matches against unranked Northwestern (3-11-1) in IU's final home dual of the season.\nSveda and Stanley each pinned their opponents, while Cooper and Cook each won by technical fall. Northwestern forfeited at 133 lbs.\nCooper bested his opponent Josh Ballard to register 13 total takedowns. He scored seven takedowns in the third period on his way to a 27-12 technical fall. Sveda pinned his opponent in 1:57 and Stanley's pin moved him to fifth most in IU history.\nDixon lost his match to No. 16 Josh Saul 2-1. A stalling call on Dixon in the second period proved to be the difference in the match. Goldman said Dixon is having trouble scoring but said it is a problem they're working to cure in practice.\n"He is incredibly strong and hard to score on, he just has trouble getting scores of his own," Goldman said. "If we can get him to score in Big Tens, he'll be fine."\nThe win against Northwestern gives the Hoosiers a chance to finish even in conference play. They meet Michigan State Friday and Wisconsin Sunday before traveling to Evanston, Ill., for Big Ten Championships.\n"We always harp on the difficulty of the conference, but we are one of the top 20 teams in the country," Goldman said. "A match like this shows where we're at. We're tough"
(02/05/01 5:18am)
As the opening lineups were announced Friday night for IU's clash with Minnesota, it was understood a Hoosier victory would be nothing short of miraculous.\nThe Golden Gophers were favorites to win at every weight class.\nThe overmatched Hoosiers lost seven of nine matches and accepted one forfeit as the No. 1 ranked Gophers out-muscled No. 22 Indiana 25-12. The loss gave the Hoosiers (13-4,1-3 Big Ten) their third consecutive conference defeat and preserved Minnesota\'s (14-1,3-0 Big Ten) perfect conference record.\nCoach Duane Goldman gave credit to the Gopher wrestlers and said he was encouraged by his team's effort.\n"(Minnesota) won most the matches and deserved to win the bout," Goldman said. "It is hard to compete against guys like that, but I felt that we stood up there pretty well tonight."\nIn the night's opening match, fifth-ranked junior Viktor Sveda (184 lbs.) upset third-ranked Minnesota freshman Damion Hahn. The two wrestlers spent much of the match on the perimeter pushing each other out of bounds.\nWith the score tied 1-1 in the third period, each wrestler was cautious of making a mistake. With less than 10 seconds remaining in the third period, Sveda went on the offensive. He dumped Hahn with two seconds remaining, giving Sveda the 3-1 decision and the Hoosiers an early lead.\nThe Sveda victory was his first over Hahn after losing to him in overtime earlier in the season at the Midlands. Goldman called Hahn last year's most-sought-after recruit in the country.\nIn the next match, Minnesota junior Owen Elzen (197 lbs.) overpowered IU sophomore Ty Matthews (197 lbs.) for a 12-0 major decision. Elzen\'s win moved Minnesota in front 4-3 and set up an important match for the heavyweights.\nIn the heavyweight division, IU senior Michael Dixon hoped to upset 2000 Olympic bronze medallist and second-ranked Garrett Lowney. The match began slowly with neither wrestler scoring in the first period. Each wrestler scored an escape in the second and the score stalled at 1-1. Lowney spent much of the match riding Dixon\'s back. He accumulated enough riding time to win the match 2-1. Lowney anticipated a close match with Dixon.\n"I\'ve come to expect that I\'m not going to blow anyone out," Lowney said. "I just got to stick to my game plan and keep looking for scores." \nWith Minnesota leading by four points, IU sophomore Greg Schaefer posted a 6-1 upset over No. 3 Leroy Vega. Schaefer caught Vega off guard midway through the second period for a two-point take down. \nAs Vega tried to avoid the pin, Schaefer pushed his shoulder toward the mat. The clock bailed out Vega as time expired in the second period. The referee awarded Schaefer three points for a near fall extending his lead to 6-1. Schaefer would not relinquish the lead and was awarded the 6-1 decision bringing the crowd to their feet.\n"It does good for my confidence," Schaefer said. "It was a good win for me but it is just a stepping stone to Big Tens and Nationals."\nThe Schaefer victory would be the last for the Hoosiers in the dual. Minnesota went on to dominate the Hoosiers in every aspect. \nOnly Sveda and Schaefer recorded take downs for IU while the Gophers would routinely take down their opponents only to release them and dump them again. Minnesota recorded four major decisions in nine matches wrestled. IU was awarded six points for a forfeit at 141 lbs. when a Minnesota wrestler missed weight before the match. No Hoosier scored more than five points on any opponent.
(02/01/01 6:10am)
Next time you roll your ankle, bruise your knee or jamb a finger, remember Hoosier wrestling captain Kevin Stanley. \nHe is no stranger to pain.\nIn a practice midway through his sophomore season, Stanley, now a senior, injured his knee. He returned from his winter break that season with no anterior cruciate ligament .\n"The kid wrestled a whole Big Ten season with no ACL and qualified for Nationals," said Pat Cassidy, assistant coach and former teammate. "I don't know if I could have done it, but that is just the kind of guy he is."\nDespite the injury, the senior has had a remarkable career. He ranks second in career wins among active IU wrestlers (96) and is looking to record his fourth consecutive 20-win season. He has been an NCAA qualifier at 157 pounds each of his three years as a Hoosier and is on pace to qualify this season at 165 pounds.\nStanley's toughness as a wrestler took shape when he was young. He began wrestling in Richmond, Mo., at age 7. His high school career took off at Hemet High School in Riverside, Calif. After qualifying for the California state tournament in his first two years at Hemet, Stanley returned to Richmond for his final two years of high school. \nStanley went 42-0 and was Missouri state champion at Oak Grove High School his junior season. In his senior year, he lost only one match, by injury default because of a herniated disk in his neck. He recovered from the injury during the season and proceeded to repeat as state champion, finishing 28-1. \n Stanley said his father has been the source of his strength throughout his injuries.\n"My father always kept me motivated and tried to instill a competitive attitude in me," Stanley said. "Sometimes too much; if anything, I get a little too competitive."\nUpon arrival in Bloomington, Stanley was redshirted. During his first season in uniform, he posted a 25-12 record, including six pins and a 4-3 Big Ten record. \nStanley said he wrestled well throughout his freshman year. Three wins against three opponents who would become All-Americans later that year highlighted his season. Stanley said he faltered at the NCAA Championships. Stanley's freshman season injuries didn't hamper his campaign, and he used that season to formulate his goals as a Hoosier wrestler.\n"When I went to the NCAA, I didn't wrestle to the best of my ability," Stanley said. "When I saw everyone on that award stand, and I had beaten three out of the eight guys up there that year, I was angry."\nThe following season, Stanley jumped to a quick 11-0 start and was ranked as high as fourth in his weight class. After suffering the knee injury, Stanley clawed his way to a 21-4 record, 5-3 in the Big Ten. He finished 27-8 his junior year, despite knee surgery before the season. He said the injury made him a more cautious wrestler as a junior.\nStanley entered his senior season at 165 pounds, giving him the ability to wrestle with stronger teammates in practice. He has been consistently ranked in the top 15 during the season and his record stands at 23-8. \nJunior teammate Viktor Sveda said Stanley is one of the most powerful wrestlers on the team.\n"He is an extremely strong and physical wrestler," Sveda said. "He is able to get inside guys and out-muscle them."\nStanley said he has not achieved his ultimate goal of becoming an All-American and challenging for the national championship. He said his past injuries have him feeling about 80 percent, but he is confident he will be competing not only for a spot as an All-American but also for a national title by season's end. \nCassidy said with Stanley's courage and motivation, he has a real shot at the national title.\n"As a friend and as I move into the coaching role, I don't see any reason why not," Cassidy said. "I know Kevin. I have seen him when he was firing on all cylinders, and I know what he is capable of doing"
(01/26/01 5:09am)
Throughout this week's practice, IU's wrestlers prepared for Sunday's dual at No. 9 Ohio State. \nA 39-0 loss to fifth-ranked Illinois one week ago serves as their motivation.\nWhat will it take for No. 20 Indiana to recover from Sunday's loss and upset the Buckeyes? For head coach Duane Goldman, the answer is simple.\n"We need to go in there ready to compete at a higher level," Goldman said. "You never like to get beat, but when you do get beat, you hope to use it as a learning experience."\nThe Hoosiers will take what they learned on the road this weekend as they compete in four duals matches in two days. Saturday, the team will travel to the University of Indianapolis to face Southern Illinois-Edwardsville, Carson-Newman (Tenn.) and host Greyhounds. Carson-Newman is No. 11 in NCAA Division II. Goldman said he is not looking past Saturday's competition, but fully expects to dominate all of the matches Saturday in preparation for the next day's conference matchup.\nAt 2 p.m. Sunday, Indiana (6-1, 1-1 Big Ten) meets Ohio State (11-3, 1-0 Big Ten) at St. John Arena in Columbus, Ohio. The Buckeyes' lineup includes six wrestlers ranked in the top 20 of their weight classes. Redshirt freshman Coyte Cooper (141 lbs.) said the team has put the Illinois loss in the past.\n"I think we are ready to bounce back," Cooper said. "If we have that spark we had earlier in the year, we have a chance to go in there (and) upset them."\nSenior Michael Dixon (heavyweight) will have a chance to upset redshirt freshman Tommy Rowlands, the No. 1 wrestler in his class. Rowlands is 27-2 this season and 1-0 in the conference. The 285-pound Rowlands was a high school national champion and a two-time Ohio state champion at Bishop Ready High School in Columbus. Dixon said he realizes the significance of this match.\n"He's a real tough kid who's been on a roll, and I'm going to do what I can to try and stop it," Dixon said. "To be an All-American or a national champ, I'm going to have to beat guys like him."\nTwo other Hoosiers will battle top-10-ranked opponents Sunday. Cooper will meet No. 6 Rober Sessley, and at 197 pounds, Hoosier Brett Becks will bid for an upset against No. 4 Nick Preston, who boasts a 21-4 record this season. \nIU might have to overcome injury setbacks this weekend, said Goldman, whose team must remain healthy to continue its success. Junior Jack Wade (174) and sophomore Greg Schaefer (125) are listed as questionable for the match against Ohio State. Junior Viktor Sveda (184), ranked fifth nationally, has suffered in training with back problems.\nThe match-up with the Buckeyes kicks off a stretch of five consecutive conference matches for IU. The next three will be in Bloomington, including a clash with No. 2 Minnesota. Sophomore Mike Munn, an alternate at 149 pounds, said the Hoosiers were not fazed by the loss at Illinois and are prepared for Ohio State and the schedule ahead.\n"We kind of go old-school here; the idea is that you go out there, and if something breaks down, you just train harder," Munn said. "If we lose, we don't get down about it. We try to bring our intensity up and focus more"
(01/18/01 5:32am)
For the wrestling team to secure a victory tonight, momentum is the key word.\nIU opens Big Ten competition against rival Purdue. The Hoosiers will play host to the match at 7 p.m. at Mater Dei High School in Evansville.\nIU moved back into the top 25 after defeating No. 17 Pennsylvania and No. 18 Wisconsin in its third place finish at the Virginia Duals last weekend. Now No. 22, the Hoosiers have momentum to carry them past the Boilermakers.\nRedshirt freshman Coyte Cooper (141 lbs.) said the duals in Virginia proved how good the team could become.\n"We knew we were a good team, but there is a difference between knowing and going out and doing it," Cooper said. "We just showed that we can wrestle with anybody and that helps the confidence of the team."\nConfidence will be important. Purdue is 6-1 in dual matches and faces the Hoosiers after a three- match sweep of Ashland, Cleveland St. and Marquette in the Wendy's Classic. The Boilermakers return all four NCAA Championship qualifiers from last year's team.\nUndaunted, senior Kevin Stanley (165) said his team will match up well with Purdue because of the teams' contrasting styles.\n"They will want to play the edge and keep the match close," Stanley said. "Primarily, they are not a well-conditioned team, and we are always well-conditioned."\nStanley is ranked 11th in his weight class and is captain of the Hoosier squad. He will challenge Purdue sophomore Kirk Moore (10-4), who placed seventh in conference championships as a freshman and qualified for the national competition. \nStanley finished fifth last season in conference championship at 157 pounds. He said Moore is a tall and lanky opponent who plans to use stalling tactics to keep the match close.\n"I just plan on using my condition, and he can't hang with me strength wise," Stanley said. "I plan on pounding on the guy; I hope to major (decision) him."\nA battle of two ranked opponents will take place at 125 pounds when junior Greg Schaefer, ranked 16th, meets Purdue's Jason Silverstein, ranked 15th. Schaefer is 8-5 overall, while Silverstein stands at 13-3.\nAt heavyweight, senior Michael Dixon (10-4) will contest 20th-ranked Jake Vercelli, who defeated Dixon by decision 2-1 in last year's match. Dixon won four of five matches last weekend in Virginia, losing only to Penn State's Michael Faust 2-1.\nIU might have a chance to earn big points in two weight classes. Cooper will meet Purdue's lone true freshman, Paul Sacquitne, at 141 pounds. \nCooper said his coaches expect him to score well in the match. Junior Viktor Sveda, ranked 5th at 184 pounds, will face junior Jared Williams, who is coming off his first matches of the season at the Wendy's Classic, where he went 2-1. Sveda has pinned his past seven opponents.\nIU owns the overall advantage against Purdue at 47-28-3. But each team has won five matches in the last 10 years. IU won last year's battle 25-12 in West Lafayette.\nAssistant coach Pat Cassidy, a member of last year's team, said this year's dual will be intense and exciting.\n"It is going to be a hard-fought dual," Cassidy said. "Whoever fights the most and scraps the most is going to win"