Indiana University Athletics
IU Opens Big Ten Season at #1 Penn State
12/7/2012 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
Dec. 7, 2012
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - The Indiana University wrestling team (5-2, 0-0 Big Ten) treks to Happy Valley this weekend for a 2 pm ET Sunday showdown with top-ranked and defending national champion Penn State (2-0, 0-0 Big Ten) in the 2012-13 conference opener.
The dual is being streamed live online at IUHoosiers.com and BTN.com (subscription fee). In addition, live stats and results will be available through TrackWrestling.com and Twitter (@IUWrestling1), respectively.
PROBABLE LINEUPS
INDIANA (5-2, 0-0 Big Ten)
125 lbs. - Joe Duca, r-So., (8-7) or Zach Zimmer, r-So., (1-2)
133 lbs. - Quin Murphy, Fr., (15-5)
141 lbs. - Eric Roach, r-Fr., (12-5)
149 lbs. - Geno Capezio, r-Sr., (4-6) or Alexander Gregory, r-Fr. (1-4)
157 lbs. - #23 Taylor Walsh, r-So., (15-3)
165 lbs. - #18 Ryan LeBlanc, r-Jr., (15-3)
174 lbs. - Cheney Dale, r-So., (6-8)
184 lbs. - Luke Sheridan, So., (11-5)
197 lbs. - Tarek Alaruri, Sr., (1-10)
285 lbs. - #7 Adam Chalfant, r-Jr., (15-1)
#1 PENN STATE (2-0, 0-0 Big Ten)
125 lbs. - #2 Nico Megaludis, So., (6-1)
133 lbs. - Jordan Conaway, r-Fr., (3-2)
141 lbs. - #23 Bryan Pearsall, r-Sr., (7-2)
149 lbs. - #4 Andrew Alton, r-So., (6-0) or James English, r-Sr., (7-1)
157 lbs. - #3 Dylan Alton, r-So., (5-2)
165 lbs. - #2 David Taylor, r-Jr., (7-0)
174 lbs. - #6 Matt Brown, r-So., (7-0)
184 lbs. - #1 Ed Ruth, r-Jr., (7-0)
197 lbs. - #3 Quentin Wright, r-Sr., (7-0)
285 lbs. - #15 James Lawson, So., (7-1) or Jon Gingrich, r-So., (8-2)
NATIONALLY-RANKED HOOSIERS
Each of IU's three returning NCAA Qualifiers are ranked amongst the country's elite once again this season. This trio of Hoosiers can be found in the most recent national rankings:
#7 Adam Chalfant (285 lbs.)
#18 Ryan LeBlanc (165 lbs.)
#23 Taylor Walsh (157 lbs.)
BIG TEN DOING BIG THINGS
As a conference, the Big Ten is a combined 46-9 in 55 non-conference duals so far during the 2012-13 campaign, good for a 83.6 winning percentage.
HOOSIER DUALS DOMINANCE
Indiana took three more matches at the 2012 Hoosier Duals, running its record in the annual event to 36-0 over the last 10 seasons.
University Gym has not been a kind venue for non-conference foes outside the Hoosier Duals either. Since 2003, Indiana is 57-2 when facing non-conference opponents at home.
CHALFANT TAKES TITLE IN PHILLY
Adam Chalfant capped of his heavyweight title run at the Keystone Classic by topping fifth-ranked Mike McMullan (Northwestern) in the championship bout. Also making the podium in the City of Brotherly Love were Ryan LeBlanc finishing in third place and Quin Murhpy, Eric Roach and Taylor Walsh each taking fifth.
THREE FINALISTS AT HOKIE OPEN
Adam Chalfant, Ryan LeBlanc and Taylor Walsh each advanced to the championship bout of their respective weight classes at the `12 Hokie Open. Additional IU placers included: Joe Duca (4th), Quin Murphy (5th) and Luke Sheridan (6th).
COACHING STAFF CREDENTIALS
Indiana's full-time coaching staff is comprised of three four-time All-Americans. The only school in the Big Ten which can make that claim.
Head Coach Duane Goldman was not only a four-time All-American, but also a four-time NCAA finalists. He capped off his career at Iowa by winning the 190-pound National Championship in 1986.
Assistants Nick Simmons and Joe LeBlanc also found their way to the stand in each of their collegiate seasons.
BTN HAS YOU COVERED
All eight of Indiana's Big Ten duals will be either broadcast on the Big Ten Network or streamed live at BTN.com. The rivalry match up in West Lafayette against the Boilermakers of Purdue will be aired on BTN, starting at 6:30 pm ET on Monday, Feb. 11.
SOCIALLY ACCEPTABLE
Hoosier wrestling is active in the social media world. Up-to-the-minute news, team notes, live match results and much more can be found by following @IUWrestling1 on Twitter. In addition, `like' the team's official Facebook page by searching "Indiana University Wrestling."
UNFORTUNATE INJURIES
Indiana lost 20 percent of its starting lineup when a pair of Hoosiers suffered season-ending injuries during the first dual of the year. Mitchell Richey (149 lbs.) and Garret Goldman (197 lbs.) have undergone surgery on their shoulder and knee, respectively, and are expected to miss the remainder of the season.
Players Mentioned
