Indiana University Athletics
Dubuque Looks to Make Name for IU and Himself
12/22/2004 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
"Becoming a national champion has been my goal every since I started wrestling," Dubuque said. "This is just another step in achieving goals that I have set for myself. Winning a state championship in high school was one and now attempting to win a national championship is another."
Dubuque has started the season off strong as he is 8-1 on the season with four bonus point victories. He will get his first true test of the season at the 42nd annual Midlands Championship on Dec. 29-30 on the campus on Northwestern. Five of the top the top nine wrestlers will be entered into the 125-pound weight class.
"The 125-pound weight class is going to be tough this year," Head Coach Duane Goldman said. "We feel that Joe can wrestle with anybody in the nation. He got the All-American monkey off of his back last season, and now he can aim for bigger and better things."
With the graduation of last year's national champion Jason Powell of Nebraska, Dubuque believes that the 125-pound weight class is as wide open as any weight class this year. In the latest IntetMat rankings and of Dec. 16, 2004, there are currently seven ranked wrestlers that hail from the Big Ten conference.
"There are a lot of guys ranked in the top-10 that are from the Big Ten conference," Dubuque said. "I feel that this is not only one of the toughest weight classes in the conference, but I feel that this possibly is the toughest weight class in the nation. If you are having a good season in the Big Ten, you are probably doing well nationally."
With Dubuque's high expectations, he knows that he will be getting everybody's best shot when he steps onto the mat. Facing every opponent's "A" game is nothing new to Dubuque; he has been dealing with that situation since two-time state champion at Glen Ridge High School. The junior is excited about being in this position.
"I have been getting everybody's best shot ever since high school," Dubuque said. "I was always the wrestler that everybody wanted to take out. When I was younger I was the guy looking to make a name for himself so I know how they feel."
After finishing last season with a 34-9 record and garnering All-American status with an eighth-place finish at the NCAA Championship, Dubuque feels that he is prepared for another national championships run.
"Last season prepared me a lot," Dubuque said. "Like Coach Goldman said, I got the All-American monkey off my back, so now I don't have to worry about it. Now I can focus on challenging for that top spot."
Dubuque believes by taking the extra step, pushing himself in practice and believing in himself will not only have a positive effort on his wrestling, but will have a positive effect on the Hoosier wrestling team as they too are looking to make a name for themselves in the conference as well as nationally.
"I think we have one of the best team we have had since I got here," Dubuque said. "We want to do as well as we can in the Big Ten Conference
With returning NCAA qualifiers Pat DeGain and Brady Richardson, along with returning starters Andy Rios and Josh Buuck and Arizona State transfer Mike Simpson, Dubuque believes that the Hoosiers have the opportunity surprise some people this year.
"We have some individuals that have earned respect nationally, " Dubuque said. "But as a team, we are still searching for that national respect. We feel that with the talent we have, we can start making some noise and have people take notice."
