Indiana University Athletics
Indiana Faces Off With Top-Ranked Hawkeyes on Friday
2/14/2008 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
Feb. 14, 2008
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - The #21 Indiana University wrestling team will take on the nation's top-ranked team Friday when they travel to Iowa City for a bout with the Hawkeyes (18-1, 5-0). For live match results, click here.
Iowa posts a nationally-ranked grappler in nine of the 10 weight classes, including No. 1 Brent Metcalf at 149-pounds. Indiana's No. 2 Angel Escobedo puts his undefeated season on the line Friday night against the man right behind in the 125-pound rankings, No. 3 Charlie Falck.
Additional potential match-ups between nationally-ranked opponents include: No. 12 Andrae Hernandez vs. No. 3 Joe Slaton, No. 4 Brandon Becker vs. No. 12 Ryan Morningstar and No. 14 Matt Coughlin vs. No. 1 Mark Perry.
TAKING OUT THE TOP
Redshirt senior Brandon Becker made his final appearance inside University Gym a memorable one on "Senior Day," defeating the No. 1-ranked wrestler in the country, Mike Poeta of Illinois.
After wrestling to a scoreless stalemate in the opening period, Poeta chose the down position. To the delight of the Hoosier faithful in attendance, Becker rode him out for the entire second stanza.
Becker burst out of Poeta's grasp immediately to start the third period, posting an escape point at the 1:50 mark. Poeta spent little time trailing though, getting a takedown just moments later to jump ahead 2-1. The two then spent a majority of the period grappling on the mat as Becker's riding time advantage evaporated. The scored remained 2-1 in Poeta's favor until 18 ticks remained on the clock; and that's when Becker executed a reversal that vaulted him past Poeta for the 3-2 victory.
Becker also defeated Wisconsin's then-No. 2 Craig Henning earlier this season, his sixth straight triumph over Henning.
ANGEL REMAINS PERFECT
24 up, 24 down for Angel Escobedo in his undefeated 2007-08 campaign. Five of those wins have come against nationally-ranked foes. He won his second consecutive Midlands championships and has earned bonus points in 15 of 19 dual matches this season, recording six pins, a tech fall, five major decisions and two forfeits. Escobedo's next pin will be the 24th of his career, putting him in ninth place all-time for career pins, doing so in less than two years donning the Cream and Crimson
BECKER, AN ALL-TIME GREAT
Redshirt senior Brandon Becker climbed the latter on the all-time IU career wins last weekend, passing Jim Pearson with his 108th career victory. He now sits in ninth place all-time in school history. A deep run into the NCAA tournament could vault Becker all the way upto 5th place, supplanting current assistant coach and former IU standout, Pat DeGain, in that position.
The two-time All-American has excelled against the elite competition this season, compiling four wins over nationally-ranked opponents thus far.
GOLDMAN WINS 200TH MATCH
Head Coach Duane Goldman earned the 200th win of his coaching career earlier this season, a 23-9 triumph over Michigan State. Goldman has the most coaching wins in IU history and holds a career mark of 200-108 (.649).
Players Mentioned
