Indiana University Athletics
Escobedo Talks to Media Before NCAA Championship Match
3/22/2008 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
March 22, 2008
ST. LOUIS, Mo. - Redshirt sophomore Angel Escobedo took a few minutes after his semifinal victory to discuss his 125-pound NCAA Championship match Saturday night versus Minnesota's Jayson Ness. Ness also spoke to the media.
Angel Escobedo
What was it like avenging an earlier loss in the season to Iowa's Charlie Falck?
"It was great. The first time he beat me he scored off of my shoot. He just kind of shut my offense down. I knew if I brought my offense to him that it would be a better match."
Escobedo describes the winning move that propelled him to the finals:
"He rode me the whole time. He was tough on top and I was just like, `I have to find some will to win...something just to pull out that I've never used before.' That was a move that I've never hit in my life. To get to the NCAAs you have to use every strength and ability you have to get to the finals."
What is your confidence level heading in to the finals against Minnesota's Ness after beating him three straight matches?
"It's confidence but it's not overconfidence. I know how dangerous he is. He is a great wrestler and we've had great battles, so I know I'm going to have to bring my `A' game tomorrow."
What is it like being the first wrestler on the mat during the semifinal rounds?
"It's awesome; you know no one is going to want to leave because they want to watch wrestling. It's great; it's a confidence booster to hear the crowd going crazy. When the fans are just going nuts, it pumps you up. It gets your adrenaline going."
Jayson Ness
What was your mindset during the final moments of your quarterfinal match?
"You never give up. You never know what's going to happen late in a match. [My opponent] was tired, I'm tired, but good things are going to happen if you wrestle hard for seven minutes."
How difficult is it to wrestle an opponent several times in a season?
"It's really tough because both guys know what each other is going to do. Every time we wrestle it's going to be a close match. It's always a barn burner with him."
What are your thoughts on your rematch with Indiana's Angel Escobedo in the finals?
"It's going to be a great match. He's a tough competitor. It's just going to be a matter of wrestling hard the whole seven minutes. I'm going to have to really fight to get off of the bottom. I can't let him ride me out all day long."
What is it like being the first wrestler on the mat during the semifinal rounds?
"It's a lot of fun. It's really exciting. It gets your heart going. It gets your adrenaline pumping. Your emotions start running high and it's a really fun experience."
Players Mentioned
