Indiana University Athletics
NCAA Championships Experience: Max Dean
4/4/2006 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
April 4, 2006
In retrospect of the tremendous season the Indiana wrestling team had in 2006, IUHOOSIERS.com asked 165-pounder Max Dean to keep a journal of his NCAA Championships experience. The sophomore in turn gives us a look at the behind-the-scenes preparation and mental toughness it takes to be a collegiate wrestler on a national stage.
• Sophomore • Max Dean • Two-time NCAA qualifier • 165 Pounds •
March 14th
The team and I arrived in Oklahoma City. It's kind of hard to imagine the past six months had been all focused on one tournament and this one performance. I remember how far away this place seemed when our practices started, but now, here it is. Nobody gets through a season without bumps and bruises and our team was no exception. We are down to five of the original ten starters, and it doesn't quite feel the same.
Once we were settled, the team worked out as a group in the Cox Convention Center (an extremely cold arena which made it hard to get a sweat going), and just tried to get acclimated to a large arena. It was nice to bond as a team once again, even if we were only half of the unit we were during the season. The day finally came to a close and I retired to bed, saying a prayer before calling it a night.
March 15th
After our morning workout at the hotel, we went to skin checks at the Convention Center. This was the first time all of the competitors were together in one area. As I was looking around, I was picking out all of the other Big 10 wrestlers who had qualified. However, I did not talk to any of them because this was not the time to make friends. From here on out, it was all business. I knew only 80 of the 320 athletes would be All-Americans, and it was my goal to be one of them. Tomorrow's the day it all begins.
My parents and grandparents arrived today. It helps you as an athlete knowing that you have support from your family. Although I do not get to see them until tomorrow, I know I am lucky to have people who support me. I cannot thank them enough for their endless support. It was the last night before competition, so I went to bed a little earlier even though I was anxious to get things going.
March 16th
My first day of competition was not what I had dreamed or planned it to be. It had nothing to do with not making weight because I have been making that weight all year. It was not the preparation that I had coming into the competition because I know that my coaches made sure I was physically ready to step onto the mat. Lifting, running, drilling, live wrestling, countless hours in Assembly Hall during the last six months and eight years in the sport have all culminated into today.
Looking back at the match, I did not really attack Nathan Galloway (Northern Illinois) the whole match. Then I let it get away from me in double overtime. That first round loss was a tough one to take. It's a long haul to fight back into the placing round. I thank my teammate Brandon Becker for picking me up after the loss. As much as wrestling is an individual sport, I will forever argue it's a team one.
Despite the loss, I had to rebound quickly for the next match. The win over Ray Blake from Stanford in the second session felt GREAT! I lost to him earlier in the year in a close match, and I knew it would be a tight one to win. Originally I planned to keep the match on our feet, where I felt I had the advantage. However, that is not how things worked out so I had to adapt. With a couple of reversals and a lot of work on top, I pulled out the victory by a few points. The match concluded my wrestling for the day, so I hit the bed early that night and prepared for another long day tomorrow.
March 17th
I moved on through my first match of the day by medical forfeit from Troy Letters. While I would have rather earned the win, I took the win and moved on to the next round.
My next opponent, No. 5 seed Matt Pell from Missouri who got upset in the first round, also was in the position of having to wrestle back into the placing rounds. I saw him wrestle at the beginning of the year at an open tournament, but never got an opportunity to meet him on the mat until today. A two-time All-American and a senior for Missouri, you could say he has been around the block before. I had my chance to beat him, but I could not finish on my shots.
With the loss, I moved from being a competitor to a supporter for Indiana's two wrestlers still in the brackets, Brandon and Joe Dubuque. While I am grateful for my accomplishments, I still remain unsatisfied with my results.
March 18th
It's a day for supporting so I warmed up Brandon before every round. It also was great to be there for Joe's second national championship and see Brandon become an All-American for the second straight year.
As I look back, I see that while I am relieved to not have practice anymore and get a little bit of a break, there is still that hunger I have to be on the medals stand. Looking at how the bracket played out this year, I am convinced I deserve to be up there. I have two more years to get there, and I only plan on needing one of them.
In retrospect of the entire weekend, I want to thank God for putting me in this situation. I do not claim to be the most religious guy, but I know that God has been there with me this whole weekend, and most especially all 20 years of my life. I believe everything happens for a purpose, even if it's hard to understand at times. So now it's time to enjoy the small break, then hit the weight room and mats to start preparing for next year.
