Indiana University Athletics
OUTLOOK IS SOLID FOR 1999-2000
10/25/1999 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
OUTLOOK IS SOLID FOR 1999-2000
The Hoosiers enter the season with high hopes. Not only do they expect to improve in the always tough Big Ten, but also move up in the NCAA nationals.
"We are setting our goals high for this year," said head coach Duane Goldman. "We return a solid group, including four NCAA qualifiers."
Goldman looks to continue to establish the Hoosiers as a national power. IU finished 23rd in the 1999 NCAA Championships.
"We're looking to the nationals. That is what we focus on, and that is what this sport is all about - establishing yourself at the national level," Goldman says.
Among those returning qualifiers is sophomore Viktor Sveda. He went 42-6 last season and finished sixth in the NCAA at 184 pounds to earn All-America honors.
"He has worked really hard in the offseason and hopes to improve on last season's finish," Goldman says.
Sveda also had an impressive Big Ten season going 8-0 and taking third at the conference championships. He was named Big Ten Freshman-of-the-Year after his stellar rookie campaign.
Senior Pat Cassidy will continue to hold the 125 spot after finishing second in the Big Ten and just missing All-America honors a year ago.
"Pat has high expectations for his senior year. He showed last year that he has the potential to be an All-American," said Goldman.
Greg Schaefer will be Cassidy's understudy at 125 and will most likely redshirt this season.
At 133, redshirt freshman Andy Storrs and sophomore Jason Bader will battle for the starting job.
"It will be interesting to see who comes out on top in this weight class, but right now Storrs seems to be the frontrunner," Goldman says.
Junior Gabe Cook, a two-year starter at 149, will drop down and compete at 141. Cook will go against redshirt freshman Dan Cysewski for the chance to start at 141.
"Cook should be the frontrunner at 141. He went up to 149 the last two years because he was behind two-time NCAA qualifier Jason Torres, but 141 is his normal weight class, and that is where he prefers to be," says Goldman.
Coyte Cooper is another strong competitor at 141 and was Goldman's most highly touted recruit during the last signing period.
"Cooper was probably our most sought after recruit last year. He is a solid young competitor, but will most likely redshirt this season' Goldman said.
Tim Myers hopes to stay healthy and get a chance to battle at 149 for an entire season. Myers injured his knee as a sophomore and missed last season with a slipped disk in his neck.
"Tim probably would have been a starter the last two years if he had managed to stay healthy. He is a very important part of our team and should make a solid impact this year," said Goldman
Junior Kevin Stanley leads the charge at 157. Stanley, who is a two-time NCAA qualifier already, was undefeated in 1998-99 until he tore his knee. He had offseason surgery and looks to be back at 100 percent.
"Kevin seems to be doing very well after the surgery, and we hope he can take the next step this season," says Goldman.
The 165 and 174 weight class are wide open and may be the only major question marks for the team entering the season.
Senior Butch Hildebrand and sophomore Michael Bundy will compete at 165 with one possibly moving to 174. A move up would have him fighting for a starting spot with junior Mingo Morrison and sophomore Jack Wade.
"We have a number of athletes that could go in at 165 and 174," Goldman says. "Hildebrand and Bundy will probably challenge at 165 with one or both moving up to 174, where we have Mingo Morrison and Jack Wade, which are both competitive at that weight."
Sophomore Brett Becks started at 197 last season and will be challenged by freshman Ty Matthews for the starting role this year.
"Becks will be pushed by Ty Matthews at 197. Both are very competitive and will help our team this year," said Goldman
Michael Dixon returns for his junior season after missing the Big Ten season with a broken leg. Dixon was an NCAA qualifier at heavyweight two years ago and should be the top candidate for that spot this year. Dixon's main competitor is redshirt freshman Sean Prince.
"Dixon has to be considered the frontrunner for the heavyweight spot," said Goldman.
Overall, the team is solid and has several returners and newcomers that have legitimate shots at qualifying for the NCAA championships and possibly reaching the All-America level.
"We are competitive and we have a lot of experience. That will be needed with our tough schedule," says Goldman. "There is no place to hide in the Big Ten; it is a very tough conference, which is what we want. That schedule is what prepares us for the Big Ten Championships and the NCAA Championships, and that is where the tough season competition pays off."
