Indiana University Athletics
IU Opens Season at Missouri Open
11/21/2003 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
Bloomington, Ind. - After several weeks of practice and a long offseason, the Indiana wrestling team heads back into action at the Missouri Open on Sunday, Nov. 23 in Columbia, Mo. The event, hosted by the ninth-ranked Missouri Tigers, will feature over 400 wrestlers and will begin at 9 a.m. with continuous matches throughout the day.
The event marks the fourth consecutive season IU has appeared at the Open. In addition, the Hoosiers travel back to Columbia for a dual meet against the Tigers on Dec. 13.
Indiana is be led by three-time NCAA qualifier Coyte Cooper (141) and junior Pat DeGain (197). Last season, DeGain captured the individual title at the Open in the 197-pound class, while Cooper finished second in the 141-pound class.
"We have some good leaders coming back," said Goldman. "Cooper, being a senior at 141 pounds, has been ranked for the most part throughout his career and has had some success in the national tournament. I know he is looking to become an All-American or better. He has been a great leader for us both on the mat and in the classroom.
"Pat DeGain at 197 has also been to the NCAA Tournament as a freshmen," said Goldman. "Last year he was ranked pretty high until he had a pretty serious ankle injury at the Big Ten tournament and didn't get to go to nationals. Now, in his junior year, he is looking to become an All-American as well."
In addition to Cooper and DeGain, here is a look at the Hoosiers' other top wrestlers by weight class.
125
At 125 pounds, Joe Dubuque enters his third season as a Hoosier. In 2002, Dubuque was a redshirt freshman who compiled a 23-5 record despite battling through an injury. Dubuque was also ranked as high as 12th during the season.
133
With a year of experience under his belt, sophomore Nick Spatola will most likely be the top performer in the 133-pound class. Spatola closed the 2002 season with a sixth place finish at the USA Collegiate Championships. Spatola, who wrestled unattached throughout the 2002 season and battled an injury early on, will look to maintain his health and compete among the best. Goldman expects newcomer Brian Dyer to make an easy transition into college wrestling, and be a big part of the Hoosiers' squad at 133 pounds.
149
The 149 pound spot will be a battle between sophomore Matt Cooper and Matt McIntire. Cooper racked up five pins and four major decisions during the 2002 season. He also compiled a 17-22 record. McIntire, who battled an injury for part of the season, wrestled unattached last season for the Hoosiers and went 12-5. He closed the season out with a sixth-place finish at the USA Collegiate Championships.
157
Between Cooper and McIntire, whoever doesn't wrestle at 149 pounds will compete at 157 pounds. The Hoosiers may also see action from sophomore Tim Falls who wrestled unattached in 2002 and went 2-4. Isaac Knable, who wrestled at 157 pounds last season, is expected to redshirt.
165
A transfer from University of Nebraska, Nathan McMillian will most likely be eligible second semester and should add an immediate impact to the 165-pound class. "While McMillan is new to the team, he did go through the growing pains of being a freshman already when he was at Nebraska," said Coach Goldman. "I know he is looking for a good season."
174
Sophomore Brady Richardson, who finished the 2002 season 18-11 overall with a 6-6 dual meet record, will hold down the 174- pound spot for the upcoming season. Richardson went an even 3-3 in Big Ten matches, including an upset-win over Minnesota's No. 20 Josh McLay.
184
Just like the toss up at the 149 pound spot, the 184 pound spot will be similar. Andy Rios and Andy Wolf will challenge each other for this position. Rios enters his junior campaign after compiling a 15-6 record for 2002 and finishing sixth at the Northern Iowa Open early in the season. Wolf, a fifth year senior, went 14-2 overall and 7-6 in dual meets last season. "With either of these guys in here we feel pretty confident," said Goldman.
HWT
Heavyweight returnee Joel Powers, one of four true freshmen on the squad last year, finished the season with a 20-17 mark overall and a 12-11 record in dual meets.
Up next, the Hoosiers return home to host SIU-Edwardsville and Manchester at 2:00 p.m. on Nov. 29 at University Gym
The event marks the fourth consecutive season IU has appeared at the Open. In addition, the Hoosiers travel back to Columbia for a dual meet against the Tigers on Dec. 13.
Indiana is be led by three-time NCAA qualifier Coyte Cooper (141) and junior Pat DeGain (197). Last season, DeGain captured the individual title at the Open in the 197-pound class, while Cooper finished second in the 141-pound class.
"We have some good leaders coming back," said Goldman. "Cooper, being a senior at 141 pounds, has been ranked for the most part throughout his career and has had some success in the national tournament. I know he is looking to become an All-American or better. He has been a great leader for us both on the mat and in the classroom.
"Pat DeGain at 197 has also been to the NCAA Tournament as a freshmen," said Goldman. "Last year he was ranked pretty high until he had a pretty serious ankle injury at the Big Ten tournament and didn't get to go to nationals. Now, in his junior year, he is looking to become an All-American as well."
In addition to Cooper and DeGain, here is a look at the Hoosiers' other top wrestlers by weight class.
125
At 125 pounds, Joe Dubuque enters his third season as a Hoosier. In 2002, Dubuque was a redshirt freshman who compiled a 23-5 record despite battling through an injury. Dubuque was also ranked as high as 12th during the season.
133
With a year of experience under his belt, sophomore Nick Spatola will most likely be the top performer in the 133-pound class. Spatola closed the 2002 season with a sixth place finish at the USA Collegiate Championships. Spatola, who wrestled unattached throughout the 2002 season and battled an injury early on, will look to maintain his health and compete among the best. Goldman expects newcomer Brian Dyer to make an easy transition into college wrestling, and be a big part of the Hoosiers' squad at 133 pounds.
149
The 149 pound spot will be a battle between sophomore Matt Cooper and Matt McIntire. Cooper racked up five pins and four major decisions during the 2002 season. He also compiled a 17-22 record. McIntire, who battled an injury for part of the season, wrestled unattached last season for the Hoosiers and went 12-5. He closed the season out with a sixth-place finish at the USA Collegiate Championships.
157
Between Cooper and McIntire, whoever doesn't wrestle at 149 pounds will compete at 157 pounds. The Hoosiers may also see action from sophomore Tim Falls who wrestled unattached in 2002 and went 2-4. Isaac Knable, who wrestled at 157 pounds last season, is expected to redshirt.
165
A transfer from University of Nebraska, Nathan McMillian will most likely be eligible second semester and should add an immediate impact to the 165-pound class. "While McMillan is new to the team, he did go through the growing pains of being a freshman already when he was at Nebraska," said Coach Goldman. "I know he is looking for a good season."
174
Sophomore Brady Richardson, who finished the 2002 season 18-11 overall with a 6-6 dual meet record, will hold down the 174- pound spot for the upcoming season. Richardson went an even 3-3 in Big Ten matches, including an upset-win over Minnesota's No. 20 Josh McLay.
184
Just like the toss up at the 149 pound spot, the 184 pound spot will be similar. Andy Rios and Andy Wolf will challenge each other for this position. Rios enters his junior campaign after compiling a 15-6 record for 2002 and finishing sixth at the Northern Iowa Open early in the season. Wolf, a fifth year senior, went 14-2 overall and 7-6 in dual meets last season. "With either of these guys in here we feel pretty confident," said Goldman.
HWT
Heavyweight returnee Joel Powers, one of four true freshmen on the squad last year, finished the season with a 20-17 mark overall and a 12-11 record in dual meets.
Up next, the Hoosiers return home to host SIU-Edwardsville and Manchester at 2:00 p.m. on Nov. 29 at University Gym
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