Friday, February 10
Bloomington, IN
7 PM
Indiana University
vs
Iowa
Wrestling Wraps Up Regular Season Against #3 Iowa, at #10 Illinois
2/9/2017 6:26:00 PM | Wrestling
Weekend Notes (PDF)BTN Plus: IU vs. IowaTrack: IU vs. IowaBTN Plus: IU at IllinoisTrack: IU at Illinois
Six wrestlers face back-to-back matches against top 20
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – The Hoosiers head into their final Big Ten dual weekend, and it may be the toughest two-meet slate of the regular season. Indiana begins on Friday night at 7:00 p.m. ET with their Senior Night dual against #3 Iowa. After that, they take a trip across state lines for a Sunday showdown with #10 Illinois at 4:00 p.m. ET.
For many IU grapplers, they'll have an opportunity against some of the best in their weight classes, including two #1 unbeaten wrestlers and seven ranked in the national top five. Friday's dual will begin with a commemoration of Indiana's Senior Class of 2017: Luke Blanton, Nate Jackson, Jake Masengale, Chris Perez, Gideon Van Hook, and Wyatt Wilson. Two seniors are set for significant senior night matches, with Perez encountering #3 Brandon Sorensen and Jackson facing his third match this season against #4 Sammy Brooks.
Friday's meet will stream live via BTN Plus on BTN2Go.com, while Sunday's meet at Illinois will find a global audience on the Big Ten Network.
Hoosier Notes
Last Time: Split Scores Out East
The Hoosiers return from a two-meet road trip on the east coast last weekend. IU opened with a Friday night win at Maryland, 22-19, before suffering a 25-9 loss at No. 13 Rutgers. Three Hoosiers--Elijah Oliver, Bryce Martin, and Nate Jackson, emerged unscathed with 2-0 weekend records.
Maryland took a brief lead in the meet before Perez's sudden victory decision uncorked a run of six consecutive bouts and three bonus point wins in favor of the Hoosiers. On Sunday, Jackson scored a tight 5-4 decision over #12 Nick Gravina to remain unbeaten in dual meets.
Five in First Coaches Poll
With the unveiling of the first ranking period by the NWCA, it was announced that five Hoosiers currently sit in the top 33 of their respective weight classes. Elijah Oliver (#30 at 125) and Nate Jackson (#7 at 184) are back in the rankings after qualifying for last year's NCAA Championships; Devin Skatzka (#17 at 174), after his fifth-place finish at Midlands, received his first spot in the ranking period.
Two other sophomore standouts made the cut at their weights. Jake Danishek (#27 at 157) entered the rankings after his first career ranked win last weekend, and Bryce Martin (#30 at 165) earned a spot after his 12-3 start to the year.
Series History
The Hoosiers and Hawkeyes meet for the 42nd time since their first match in 1926. The Hawkeyes have a firm grip on the series advantage, 35-3-3, and they have won the last 22 meets.
The series with Illinois is hotly contested and long-standing. Sunday's meet will be the 83rd match between the Hoosiers and Illini. A slight edge goes to Illinois in the series, 43-38-1, and they've won four consecutive meetings since 2011.
A Familiar Face
Indiana head coach Duane Goldman will meet his alma mater, the Iowa Hawkeyes, for the 13th time as a head coach on Friday night. Goldman was a four-time NCAA Finalist for the Hawkeyes (1983-86), winning the 1986 NCAA Championship at 190 lbs. in Iowa City. Goldman is one of three four-time NCAA finalists in the history of Iowa's storied program.
Goldman was inducted into the National Iowa Varsity Club Athletics Hall of Fame on Sept. 4, 2009.
Back on the Mat
Several of Indiana's potential matches with top-20 wrestlers also present an opportunity for rematches. The marquee matchup is #6 Nate Jackson vs. #4 Sammy Brooks at 184 lbs., but another top-20 clash will occur in Devin Skatzka's Midlands rematch with #8 Alex Meyer.
Elijah Oliver could meet #1 Thomas Gilman for the third time in his young career after two matches last season. On Sunday, Chris Perez could even the series with #20 Eric Barone after their Midlands Meeting, while Fletcher Miller could wrestle #15 Brooks Black for the first time since his redshirt season in 2014.
Up Next: The Big Ten Championships
The Hoosiers are proud to host this year's installation of the Big Ten Wrestling Championships, which will take place at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall on Saturday, March 4 and Sunday, March 5. Fans can buy all-session tickets at IUHoosiers.com.
Back Points…
• As a team, the Hoosiers have an 172-121 (.587) record this season with 82 bonus point wins and 38 wins by fall. They've conceded 8 pins.
• Nate Jackson picked up his 98th career win over #12 Nick Gravina, climbing two matches away from the milestone 100-win mark.
• Jackson leads the Hoosiers in total takedowns (118), riding time points awarded (13), and bonus point wins (17).
• Jake Danishek (157) and Norman Conley (197) haven't conceded back points to their opponents this season.
• Devin Skatzka (174) has a commanding team lead for the most pins this season with 10. He's scored two wins by fall against Big Ten grapplers.
• The meet with Iowa is Indiana's first home dual against the Hawkeyes since January 6, 2012.
• Indiana's win over Maryland lifted head coach Duane Goldman to his 290th career victory.
For many IU grapplers, they'll have an opportunity against some of the best in their weight classes, including two #1 unbeaten wrestlers and seven ranked in the national top five. Friday's dual will begin with a commemoration of Indiana's Senior Class of 2017: Luke Blanton, Nate Jackson, Jake Masengale, Chris Perez, Gideon Van Hook, and Wyatt Wilson. Two seniors are set for significant senior night matches, with Perez encountering #3 Brandon Sorensen and Jackson facing his third match this season against #4 Sammy Brooks.
Friday's meet will stream live via BTN Plus on BTN2Go.com, while Sunday's meet at Illinois will find a global audience on the Big Ten Network.
Hoosier Notes
Last Time: Split Scores Out East
The Hoosiers return from a two-meet road trip on the east coast last weekend. IU opened with a Friday night win at Maryland, 22-19, before suffering a 25-9 loss at No. 13 Rutgers. Three Hoosiers--Elijah Oliver, Bryce Martin, and Nate Jackson, emerged unscathed with 2-0 weekend records.
Maryland took a brief lead in the meet before Perez's sudden victory decision uncorked a run of six consecutive bouts and three bonus point wins in favor of the Hoosiers. On Sunday, Jackson scored a tight 5-4 decision over #12 Nick Gravina to remain unbeaten in dual meets.
Five in First Coaches Poll
With the unveiling of the first ranking period by the NWCA, it was announced that five Hoosiers currently sit in the top 33 of their respective weight classes. Elijah Oliver (#30 at 125) and Nate Jackson (#7 at 184) are back in the rankings after qualifying for last year's NCAA Championships; Devin Skatzka (#17 at 174), after his fifth-place finish at Midlands, received his first spot in the ranking period.
Two other sophomore standouts made the cut at their weights. Jake Danishek (#27 at 157) entered the rankings after his first career ranked win last weekend, and Bryce Martin (#30 at 165) earned a spot after his 12-3 start to the year.
Series History
The Hoosiers and Hawkeyes meet for the 42nd time since their first match in 1926. The Hawkeyes have a firm grip on the series advantage, 35-3-3, and they have won the last 22 meets.
The series with Illinois is hotly contested and long-standing. Sunday's meet will be the 83rd match between the Hoosiers and Illini. A slight edge goes to Illinois in the series, 43-38-1, and they've won four consecutive meetings since 2011.
A Familiar Face
Indiana head coach Duane Goldman will meet his alma mater, the Iowa Hawkeyes, for the 13th time as a head coach on Friday night. Goldman was a four-time NCAA Finalist for the Hawkeyes (1983-86), winning the 1986 NCAA Championship at 190 lbs. in Iowa City. Goldman is one of three four-time NCAA finalists in the history of Iowa's storied program.
Goldman was inducted into the National Iowa Varsity Club Athletics Hall of Fame on Sept. 4, 2009.
Back on the Mat
Several of Indiana's potential matches with top-20 wrestlers also present an opportunity for rematches. The marquee matchup is #6 Nate Jackson vs. #4 Sammy Brooks at 184 lbs., but another top-20 clash will occur in Devin Skatzka's Midlands rematch with #8 Alex Meyer.
Elijah Oliver could meet #1 Thomas Gilman for the third time in his young career after two matches last season. On Sunday, Chris Perez could even the series with #20 Eric Barone after their Midlands Meeting, while Fletcher Miller could wrestle #15 Brooks Black for the first time since his redshirt season in 2014.
Up Next: The Big Ten Championships
The Hoosiers are proud to host this year's installation of the Big Ten Wrestling Championships, which will take place at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall on Saturday, March 4 and Sunday, March 5. Fans can buy all-session tickets at IUHoosiers.com.
Back Points…
• As a team, the Hoosiers have an 172-121 (.587) record this season with 82 bonus point wins and 38 wins by fall. They've conceded 8 pins.
• Nate Jackson picked up his 98th career win over #12 Nick Gravina, climbing two matches away from the milestone 100-win mark.
• Jackson leads the Hoosiers in total takedowns (118), riding time points awarded (13), and bonus point wins (17).
• Jake Danishek (157) and Norman Conley (197) haven't conceded back points to their opponents this season.
• Devin Skatzka (174) has a commanding team lead for the most pins this season with 10. He's scored two wins by fall against Big Ten grapplers.
• The meet with Iowa is Indiana's first home dual against the Hawkeyes since January 6, 2012.
• Indiana's win over Maryland lifted head coach Duane Goldman to his 290th career victory.
Players Mentioned
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