Sunday, March 5
Bloomington, IN
12 PM
Indiana University
vs
Sessions III & IV
Danishek, Skatzka Join Hoosiers Headed to NCAA Champs
3/5/2017 11:29:00 PM | Wrestling
Goldman continues qualifier streak
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – What a weekend it was.
Indiana's wrestling team hosted for the 2017 Big Ten Wrestling Championships in Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall, which saw its first mat action since the 2006 championships. The tournament featured the best of the best, including seven title pairings of top-10 wrestlers.
For the Hoosiers, the final day saw a growth in their NCAA travel party. Sophomore Jake Danishek (157) and freshman Devin Skatzka (174) achieved qualifying finishes in the third session.
Danishek faced a win-or-stay-home situation in a deeply talented bracket. He scored a victory last night over Justin Alexander (Maryland) to enter Sunday's ninth-place match, a battle for the Big Ten's final automatic bid at 157 lbs. Danishek came through in crunch time to earn a vital decision against Ohio State's Jake Ryan.
The win came in sudden victory, for neither Danishek nor Ryan gave up anything in regulation beyond an escape point. Danishek took a shot early in the extra period, drove forward, and persisted for the drop on the edge of the mat.
The Hoosier section erupted. Danishek, in his second varsity season, booked his first trip to the season's final weekend.
"It's a good feeling," Danishek said after his crucial win. "It's a big step to get the spot, and a big encouragement, but at the same time I have a lot of work to do this week."
Skatzka, also in a class with nine automatic bids, sealed his NCAA fate on Saturday night, but had a chance to improve his podium stance in a seventh-place match with Jacob Morrissey (Purdue). The bout had implications beyond order of finish; however, as Skatzka gained an opportunity to return the favor from Morrissey's win at the dual meet with Purdue.
Skatzka triumphed with a 6-3 decision to win seventh-place and notch a podium finish in his first opportunity. He broke a 2-2 tie in the second period with a drop on a neutral start. Morrissey broke free after a long ride and Skatzka added a short time takedown for a 5-3 lead. Skatzka locked the ride point before the third period and resisted Morrissey's scoring attempts for the win.
The addition of Danishek makes Indiana's qualifying group the largest for head coach Duane Goldman since the 2013-14 season. Skatzka and Danishek join Elijah Oliver (125) and Nate Jackson (184), who head to the NCAA Championships together for the second time after both earned sixth-place finishes. Goldman continues a run of putting a Hoosier in the NCAA Championships in every season with IU, extending his streak to 25 years.
Up Next: 2017 NCAA Wrestling Championships Selection Show
Wednesday, March 8 • 6:00 p.m. ET • Live on NCAA.com
The hype will build in the coming days as wrestling fans await the first round pairings revealed on the NCAA Division I Wrestling Selection Show. The 330 wrestlers, placed into 10 brackets, will head to the NCAA Wrestling Championships from March 16-18 at Scottrade Center in St. Louis, Missouri.
The following Hoosiers have received automatic bids:
Elijah Oliver (15-8), 6th-place at 125 lbs. *
Jake Danishek (19-13), 9th-place at 157 lbs.
Devin Skatzka (26-11), 7th-place at 174 lbs.
Nate Jackson (31-3), 6th-place at 184 lbs. **
* = number of previous qualifications
Indiana's wrestling team hosted for the 2017 Big Ten Wrestling Championships in Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall, which saw its first mat action since the 2006 championships. The tournament featured the best of the best, including seven title pairings of top-10 wrestlers.
For the Hoosiers, the final day saw a growth in their NCAA travel party. Sophomore Jake Danishek (157) and freshman Devin Skatzka (174) achieved qualifying finishes in the third session.
Danishek faced a win-or-stay-home situation in a deeply talented bracket. He scored a victory last night over Justin Alexander (Maryland) to enter Sunday's ninth-place match, a battle for the Big Ten's final automatic bid at 157 lbs. Danishek came through in crunch time to earn a vital decision against Ohio State's Jake Ryan.
The win came in sudden victory, for neither Danishek nor Ryan gave up anything in regulation beyond an escape point. Danishek took a shot early in the extra period, drove forward, and persisted for the drop on the edge of the mat.
The Hoosier section erupted. Danishek, in his second varsity season, booked his first trip to the season's final weekend.
"It's a good feeling," Danishek said after his crucial win. "It's a big step to get the spot, and a big encouragement, but at the same time I have a lot of work to do this week."
Skatzka, also in a class with nine automatic bids, sealed his NCAA fate on Saturday night, but had a chance to improve his podium stance in a seventh-place match with Jacob Morrissey (Purdue). The bout had implications beyond order of finish; however, as Skatzka gained an opportunity to return the favor from Morrissey's win at the dual meet with Purdue.
Skatzka triumphed with a 6-3 decision to win seventh-place and notch a podium finish in his first opportunity. He broke a 2-2 tie in the second period with a drop on a neutral start. Morrissey broke free after a long ride and Skatzka added a short time takedown for a 5-3 lead. Skatzka locked the ride point before the third period and resisted Morrissey's scoring attempts for the win.
The addition of Danishek makes Indiana's qualifying group the largest for head coach Duane Goldman since the 2013-14 season. Skatzka and Danishek join Elijah Oliver (125) and Nate Jackson (184), who head to the NCAA Championships together for the second time after both earned sixth-place finishes. Goldman continues a run of putting a Hoosier in the NCAA Championships in every season with IU, extending his streak to 25 years.
Up Next: 2017 NCAA Wrestling Championships Selection Show
Wednesday, March 8 • 6:00 p.m. ET • Live on NCAA.com
The hype will build in the coming days as wrestling fans await the first round pairings revealed on the NCAA Division I Wrestling Selection Show. The 330 wrestlers, placed into 10 brackets, will head to the NCAA Wrestling Championships from March 16-18 at Scottrade Center in St. Louis, Missouri.
The following Hoosiers have received automatic bids:
Elijah Oliver (15-8), 6th-place at 125 lbs. *
Jake Danishek (19-13), 9th-place at 157 lbs.
Devin Skatzka (26-11), 7th-place at 174 lbs.
Nate Jackson (31-3), 6th-place at 184 lbs. **
* = number of previous qualifications
Players Mentioned
FB: Curt Cignetti Media Availability (9/15/25)
Monday, September 15
FB: Under The Hood - Week 3 (Indiana State)
Thursday, September 11
FB: Elijah Sarratt Media Availability (9/9/25)
Tuesday, September 09
FB: Roman Hemby Media Availability (9/9/25)
Tuesday, September 09