Indiana University Athletics
SVEDA ADVANCES TO ALL-AMERICA ROUND
3/17/2000 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
St. Louis, Mo. - IU’s Viktor Sveda won two consolation round matches Friday afternoon to advanced to the All-America round at the NCAA Championships Friday at the Kiel Center.
Sveda (38-7), a sophomore, will face seventh-seeded Nick Preston of Ohio State. Sveda advanced by knocking off Erik Gladish of Arizona State 8-6 in overtime in the second round wrestlebacks and then wining a 12-3 major decision over Dan Bednar of Ohio.
“Viktor really turned up his aggressiveness in the win over Bednar,” said IU head coach Duane Goldman. “He needs to keep wrestling like that to advance.”
Sveda started slowly in the win over Bednar, but scored an escape, a takedown, and three near fall points early in the third to blow it open. Sveda’s win over Gladish was not so decisive. The two advance to sudden victory overtime locked at six, but Sveda worked quickly to win on a takedown nine seconds into the extra session.
Sveda needs to beat Preston to become an All-American for the second time in as many years. Sveda would be Indiana’s first repeat All-American since Roger Chandler earned the honor in 1995, 96, and 97. Sveda met Preston in Bloomington earlier this season, falling 5-3 in their dual match. The two will battle Friday evening.
Two other Hoosiers competed Friday. Senior Tim Myers (16-14) and freshman Ty Matthews (24-14) bowed out of their first NCAA Championship appearances in the second round of the wrestlebacks. Myers (149) concluded his career with a 3-2 loss to Melvin Saunders of UNC-Greensboro. Myers trailed 3-1 midway through the final period, and was unable to score as Saunders stayed away. Myers did receive a penalty point because of Saunders stalling, but it was to late. Matthews (184) fell to eighth-seeded Andy Hrovat of Michigan 15-8. Hrovat jumped ahead 10-4 after two periods and held off Matthews efforts in the final stanza.
