Sunday, January 10
Bloomington, Ind.
1:00 PM
Indiana University
vs
Penn State
Indiana Prepares for Showdown Against Top-Ranked Penn State
1/8/2016 2:49:00 PM | Wrestling
The No. 20 Hoosiers will face their biggest dual test of the season on Sunday
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – With a successful regular season tournament schedule behind them, the Hoosiers have their sights fixed on their remaining dual competition. Eight of Indiana's nine remaining duals are against Big Ten competition, five of which are ranked in the top ten of the InterMat rankings. This Sunday, they'll take the mat against the Big Ten's best, No. 1 Penn State.
No. 20 INDIANA (4-0, 1-0 Big Ten) vs. No. 1 PENN STATE (6-0, 1-0 Big Ten)
Sunday, January 10 • 1:00 pm ET • BTN Plus
Bloomington, Ind. • University Gymnasium
For many of the Hoosier grapplers, their probable matchup on Sunday will provide their toughest opponent of the early season. Nine of Penn State's ten probable starters are nationally ranked, and three wrestlers—sophomore Zain Retherford (149), freshman Bo Nickal (174), and senior Morgan McIntosh (197)—rank at the top of their respective weight classes.
Fans on both sides of this dual will keep a sharp eye on the matchup at 174 lbs. between Indiana's No. 11 Nate Jackson and Penn State's No. 1 Bo Nickal. Jackson is off to an outstanding 21-2 start to the season, including wins against two ranked opponents. This bout would be a big win for either wrestler, so both grapplers will bring their best to the mat.
Elijah Oliver (Fr. 125) will look to extend his strong 21-4 start to the season with a compelling bout against Penn State's No. 4 Nico Megaludis. A true freshman, Oliver has surprised many this season with two tournament championships and an unblemished dual record. Megaludis is the highest-ranked wrestler that Oliver will face so far this season, but Indiana's 125-pounder will bring his best to the mat Sunday.
Not one to back down from a challenge, Luke Blanton (So. 149) eagerly awaits his bout against Penn State's Zain Retherford. Retherford is considered by many to be one of the top pound-for-pound wrestlers in the country. Blanton, on the other hand, has thrived in the underdog position this season. Last month, the Hoosier sophomore took down Minnesota's No. 10 Jake Short and Eastern Michigan's No. 16 Nicholas Barber in the same weekend. The bout against Retherford will be unlike any other bout this season for Blanton, but expect the Hoosier to leave it all on the mat.
Free Middle School Clinic – Sunday, January 10 at 11:00 am
The Indiana wrestling team will offer a free wrestling clinic for middle school-aged grapplers on Sunday, January 10. Check in will begin at 10:00 am at the University Gymnasium, and the clinic begins at 11:00 am.
The clinic is available for youth aged eighth grade or younger. Participants will receive instruction from several Indiana wrestlers and coaches prior to the Hoosiers' Big Ten dual action. If you or your team wishes to attend the free clinic, please RSVP to aedeleon@indiana.edu. Those who RSVP will receive free pizza after the conclusion of the clinic. It is not required to RSVP for this event, but those who do not RSVP may not receive free pizza.
Hoosier Notes:
IU-PENN STATE SERIES
The Hoosiers and Nittany Lions meet for the 15th time since 1970 on Sunday. Indiana seeks their first win in the series, which Penn State leads with a 13-0-1 all-time record.
BIG TEN, BIGGER BOUTS
The ten Hoosier grapplers taking the mat on Sunday will have a formidable test awaiting them. Nine of Penn State's ten starters are nationally ranked, including three of the top-ranked wrestlers in the nation (149 - #1 Zain Retherford; 174 - #1 Bo Nickal; 197 - #1 Morgan McIntosh). The dual will also feature a compelling bout at 174 lbs. between IU's #11 Nate Jackson and Penn State's #1 Bo Nickal.
TOP OF THE CLASS
Indiana redshirt junior Nate Jackson rose to the #11 national ranking (InterMat) in the 174 lbs weight class after a second-place finish at the Reno Tournament of Champions and a championship at the LHU Classic. Jackson has a 21-2 record this season with two tournament championships and wins over two ranked opponents.
UNDERCLASSMEN IMPACT
This season's underclassmen are already making noise in the early stages of their IU careers. Indiana's freshmen have achieved 17 podium finishes and four championships in tournament play. True freshman Elijah Oliver (125) is off to a flying start with a 21-4 record and two tournament championships.
The four freshman currently in IU's dual lineup have won a combined 71% of their bouts with 11 major decisions, six technical falls, and six pins.
LOCKED UP AT LOCK HAVEN
Indiana completed their regular season tournament slate with the LHU Classic (12/29). Six Hoosiers earned podium finishes, which included four tournament champions: Elijah Oliver (125), Jake Danishek (157), Bryce Martin (165) and Nate Jackson (174). Indiana took second place in the team score, finishing just behind #25 Pittsburgh.
BIG START IN THE BIG TEN
Indiana opened their Big Ten schedule with an upset win over the Minnesota Golden Gophers (12/11) on the road. The Hoosiers took the lead in the dual in the seventh bout of the night at 133 lbs, when IU's Alonzo Shepherd stunned the crowd with a pin in the second period. Luke Blanton followed in the 149 lbs. bout with a 17-10 upset win over No. 10 Jake Short. Blanton's win tied the match at 18-18, but Indiana emerged victorious in the tiebreaker.
The win, combined with their dual win over top-30 opponent Eastern Michigan, vaulted the Hoosiers into the national rankings for the first time this season.
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" and check for news on IUHoosiers.com.
Four-time IU All-American, NCAA National Champion, and Pan-American gold medalist Angel Escobedo's pursuit for Olympic Gold in Rio (2016) can be tracked on the Twitterverse as well, follow @driven2dominate.
BTN PLUS
The Hoosier wrestlers will appear eight times on BTN Plus (formerly Big Ten Digital Network) for the 2015-16 season, which will also Sunday's dual against Penn State. Indiana's dual at Michigan State on January 22 will air live on the Big Ten Network.
BTN Plus programming includes non-televised games and events available on BTN2Go with a purchase of a BTN Plus subscription. BTN Plus content features live games produced by students at Big Ten universities. A subscription to BTN Plus on BTN2Go does not require a Big Ten Network TV subscription with a TV provider (from BTN website).
You can subscribe for a school pass for $9.95/month ($79.95/year) or for all of BTN Plus content for $14.95/month ($119.95/year) (Note: All options automatically renew).
No. 20 INDIANA (4-0, 1-0 Big Ten) vs. No. 1 PENN STATE (6-0, 1-0 Big Ten)
Sunday, January 10 • 1:00 pm ET • BTN Plus
Bloomington, Ind. • University Gymnasium
| Probable Starters: Indiana vs. Penn State | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight | Indiana Hoosiers | Record | Result | Penn State Nittany Lions | Record |
| Score | -- | (4-0, 1-0) | -- | (6-0, 1-0) | |
| 125 | Elijah Oliver, Fr. | 21-4 (4-0) | -- | #4 Nico Megaludis, Sr. | 15-1 (5-1) |
| 133 | Alonzo Shepherd, Sr. | 11-9 (3-1) | -- | #4 Jordan Conaway, Sr. | 13-2 (6-0) |
| 141 | Cole Weaver, r-Fr. | 16-9 (3-1) | -- | #13 Jimmy Gulibon, Jr. -or- Kade Moss, So. | 6-4 (2-2) 14-5 (2-0) |
| 149 | Luke Blanton, r-So. -or- Trevor Moody, r-Sr. | 14-6 (3-0) 9-8 (1-0) | -- | #1 Zain Retherford, So. | 15-0 (6-0) |
| 157 | Jake Danishek, r-Fr. | 11-3 (3-1) | -- | #3 Jason Nolf, Fr. | 16-0 (6-0) |
| 165 | Bryce Martin, r-Fr. | 15-10 (2-2) | -- | #19 Geno Morelli, Jr. -or- Shakur Rasheed, Fr. -or- Garrett Hammond, So. | 16-4 (0-1) 10-5 (3-2) 15-3 (0-0) |
| 174 | #11 Nate Jackson, r-Jr. -or- Wyatt Wilson, r-So. | 21-2 (4-0) 5-8 | -- | #1 Bo Nickal, Fr. | 17-0 (6-0) |
| 184 | Matt Irick, r-Jr. | 12-8 (4-0) | -- | #13 Matt McCutcheon, So. | 10-1 (6-0) |
| 197 | Jake Masengale, r-So. | 6-11 (1-3) | -- | #1 Morgan McIntosh, Sr. | 14-0 (6-0) |
| 285 | Garret Goldman, r-Sr. | 10-10 (2-2) | -- | Jan Johnson, Fr. | 1-3 (1-1) |
For many of the Hoosier grapplers, their probable matchup on Sunday will provide their toughest opponent of the early season. Nine of Penn State's ten probable starters are nationally ranked, and three wrestlers—sophomore Zain Retherford (149), freshman Bo Nickal (174), and senior Morgan McIntosh (197)—rank at the top of their respective weight classes.
Fans on both sides of this dual will keep a sharp eye on the matchup at 174 lbs. between Indiana's No. 11 Nate Jackson and Penn State's No. 1 Bo Nickal. Jackson is off to an outstanding 21-2 start to the season, including wins against two ranked opponents. This bout would be a big win for either wrestler, so both grapplers will bring their best to the mat.
Elijah Oliver (Fr. 125) will look to extend his strong 21-4 start to the season with a compelling bout against Penn State's No. 4 Nico Megaludis. A true freshman, Oliver has surprised many this season with two tournament championships and an unblemished dual record. Megaludis is the highest-ranked wrestler that Oliver will face so far this season, but Indiana's 125-pounder will bring his best to the mat Sunday.
Not one to back down from a challenge, Luke Blanton (So. 149) eagerly awaits his bout against Penn State's Zain Retherford. Retherford is considered by many to be one of the top pound-for-pound wrestlers in the country. Blanton, on the other hand, has thrived in the underdog position this season. Last month, the Hoosier sophomore took down Minnesota's No. 10 Jake Short and Eastern Michigan's No. 16 Nicholas Barber in the same weekend. The bout against Retherford will be unlike any other bout this season for Blanton, but expect the Hoosier to leave it all on the mat.
Free Middle School Clinic – Sunday, January 10 at 11:00 am
The Indiana wrestling team will offer a free wrestling clinic for middle school-aged grapplers on Sunday, January 10. Check in will begin at 10:00 am at the University Gymnasium, and the clinic begins at 11:00 am.
The clinic is available for youth aged eighth grade or younger. Participants will receive instruction from several Indiana wrestlers and coaches prior to the Hoosiers' Big Ten dual action. If you or your team wishes to attend the free clinic, please RSVP to aedeleon@indiana.edu. Those who RSVP will receive free pizza after the conclusion of the clinic. It is not required to RSVP for this event, but those who do not RSVP may not receive free pizza.
Hoosier Notes:
IU-PENN STATE SERIES
The Hoosiers and Nittany Lions meet for the 15th time since 1970 on Sunday. Indiana seeks their first win in the series, which Penn State leads with a 13-0-1 all-time record.
BIG TEN, BIGGER BOUTS
The ten Hoosier grapplers taking the mat on Sunday will have a formidable test awaiting them. Nine of Penn State's ten starters are nationally ranked, including three of the top-ranked wrestlers in the nation (149 - #1 Zain Retherford; 174 - #1 Bo Nickal; 197 - #1 Morgan McIntosh). The dual will also feature a compelling bout at 174 lbs. between IU's #11 Nate Jackson and Penn State's #1 Bo Nickal.
TOP OF THE CLASS
Indiana redshirt junior Nate Jackson rose to the #11 national ranking (InterMat) in the 174 lbs weight class after a second-place finish at the Reno Tournament of Champions and a championship at the LHU Classic. Jackson has a 21-2 record this season with two tournament championships and wins over two ranked opponents.
UNDERCLASSMEN IMPACT
This season's underclassmen are already making noise in the early stages of their IU careers. Indiana's freshmen have achieved 17 podium finishes and four championships in tournament play. True freshman Elijah Oliver (125) is off to a flying start with a 21-4 record and two tournament championships.
The four freshman currently in IU's dual lineup have won a combined 71% of their bouts with 11 major decisions, six technical falls, and six pins.
LOCKED UP AT LOCK HAVEN
Indiana completed their regular season tournament slate with the LHU Classic (12/29). Six Hoosiers earned podium finishes, which included four tournament champions: Elijah Oliver (125), Jake Danishek (157), Bryce Martin (165) and Nate Jackson (174). Indiana took second place in the team score, finishing just behind #25 Pittsburgh.
BIG START IN THE BIG TEN
Indiana opened their Big Ten schedule with an upset win over the Minnesota Golden Gophers (12/11) on the road. The Hoosiers took the lead in the dual in the seventh bout of the night at 133 lbs, when IU's Alonzo Shepherd stunned the crowd with a pin in the second period. Luke Blanton followed in the 149 lbs. bout with a 17-10 upset win over No. 10 Jake Short. Blanton's win tied the match at 18-18, but Indiana emerged victorious in the tiebreaker.
The win, combined with their dual win over top-30 opponent Eastern Michigan, vaulted the Hoosiers into the national rankings for the first time this season.
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" and check for news on IUHoosiers.com.
Four-time IU All-American, NCAA National Champion, and Pan-American gold medalist Angel Escobedo's pursuit for Olympic Gold in Rio (2016) can be tracked on the Twitterverse as well, follow @driven2dominate.
BTN PLUS
The Hoosier wrestlers will appear eight times on BTN Plus (formerly Big Ten Digital Network) for the 2015-16 season, which will also Sunday's dual against Penn State. Indiana's dual at Michigan State on January 22 will air live on the Big Ten Network.
BTN Plus programming includes non-televised games and events available on BTN2Go with a purchase of a BTN Plus subscription. BTN Plus content features live games produced by students at Big Ten universities. A subscription to BTN Plus on BTN2Go does not require a Big Ten Network TV subscription with a TV provider (from BTN website).
You can subscribe for a school pass for $9.95/month ($79.95/year) or for all of BTN Plus content for $14.95/month ($119.95/year) (Note: All options automatically renew).
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