Indiana University Athletics
Escobedo sees IU future in loss to top-ranked Penn State
1/28/2019 10:23:00 AM | Wrestling
BY PETE DIPRIMIO
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Reality was about to hit.
All of the nearly 2,000 fans at Wilkinson Hall Sunday afternoon knew it. Indiana would not upset Penn State's top-ranked wrestling team, even with the Nittany Lions at less than full strength.
Still, IU's 3-0 team lead, courtesy of Norman Conley's 5-1 meet-opening victory at 184 pounds, personified what the Hoosiers under first-year head coach Angel Escobedo wanted to one day accomplish.
Beat the best.
Win a Big Ten championship.
Win a national championship.
Repeat until you believe it.
Escobedo does, and he sees Penn State -- with three straight national titles and seven since 2011 -- as the model to get there.
"When you look at what they've been able to do -- that is where the bar is," he said. "I want this program to be that good and even better. Shoot for the stars. As coaches we'll work as hard as we can to get there.
"I might be crazy, but I think one day we can be the best team in the country."
Unranked IU isn't there yet. Certainly not during Sunday's 35-9 loss at Wilkinson Hall.
The gap is formidable, Escobedo insists, but not insurmountable
"You have to believe you can win. That's the biggest thing. We can't take a backseat to anyone. Just because your opponent is ranked high doesn't mean they have an advantage. We start 0-0. We have to compete really hard. These are great opportunities to get a W."
IU lost an opportunity on Sunday, but not perspective.
"Our guys competed with a lot of heart and effort," Escobedo said. "Some matches we could have won, but we were stacked against the No. 1 team in the country.
"Our best wrestling is still ahead of us. We had a little bit of setback, but we took big steps.
"We know where we want this program to move. We know where the bar is and we'll keep working till we get there."
How do you get there?
"Recruiting is a big one," Escobedo said. "(Wilkinson Hall) helps big time. We had a bunch of recruits here. They witnessed the atmosphere they'll compete in."
In two meets in newly opened Wilkinson Hall, IU's attendance is averaging more than double what it was at University Gym.
"Then it's just believing. Confidence. Understanding that you can win and compete against the best kids in the country. That's the big thing we have to move up to next.
"We train the same way. We strap on the shoes the same way. Now it's about who believes in their moves, and who doesn't. I have to get my guys to believe in that. Believe you're doing everything right and you can knock off the No. 1 ranked guy."
Penn State (9-0 overall, 5-0 in the Big Ten) remains the dominant force in collegiate wrestling. Nine of its 10 starting wrestlers – representing eight states from coast to coast -- are ranked nationally, including four at No. 1 in their weight class, and three others ranked in the top seven.
Indiana has no ranked wrestlers.
The Nittany Lions' powerhouse lineup includes a wrestler from Indiana -- All-America 141-pound Nick Lee of Evansville Mater Dei High School. A former Indiana state champ, Lee represents the kind of in-state elite talent Escobedo hopes to consistently sign.
The Nittany Lions have dominated a rugged schedule that includes six ranked opponents. Its closest match is by a 24-13 score over No. 19 Wisconsin.
IU (4-9, 1-5) has had one breakthrough victory this season -- over then No. 12 North Carolina. Escobedo sees IU future in loss to top-ranked Penn State.
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Reality was about to hit.
All of the nearly 2,000 fans at Wilkinson Hall Sunday afternoon knew it. Indiana would not upset Penn State's top-ranked wrestling team, even with the Nittany Lions at less than full strength.
Still, IU's 3-0 team lead, courtesy of Norman Conley's 5-1 meet-opening victory at 184 pounds, personified what the Hoosiers under first-year head coach Angel Escobedo wanted to one day accomplish.
Beat the best.
Win a Big Ten championship.
Win a national championship.
Repeat until you believe it.
Escobedo does, and he sees Penn State -- with three straight national titles and seven since 2011 -- as the model to get there.
"When you look at what they've been able to do -- that is where the bar is," he said. "I want this program to be that good and even better. Shoot for the stars. As coaches we'll work as hard as we can to get there.
"I might be crazy, but I think one day we can be the best team in the country."
Unranked IU isn't there yet. Certainly not during Sunday's 35-9 loss at Wilkinson Hall.
The gap is formidable, Escobedo insists, but not insurmountable
"You have to believe you can win. That's the biggest thing. We can't take a backseat to anyone. Just because your opponent is ranked high doesn't mean they have an advantage. We start 0-0. We have to compete really hard. These are great opportunities to get a W."
IU lost an opportunity on Sunday, but not perspective.
"Our guys competed with a lot of heart and effort," Escobedo said. "Some matches we could have won, but we were stacked against the No. 1 team in the country.
"Our best wrestling is still ahead of us. We had a little bit of setback, but we took big steps.
"We know where we want this program to move. We know where the bar is and we'll keep working till we get there."
How do you get there?
"Recruiting is a big one," Escobedo said. "(Wilkinson Hall) helps big time. We had a bunch of recruits here. They witnessed the atmosphere they'll compete in."
In two meets in newly opened Wilkinson Hall, IU's attendance is averaging more than double what it was at University Gym.
"Then it's just believing. Confidence. Understanding that you can win and compete against the best kids in the country. That's the big thing we have to move up to next.
"We train the same way. We strap on the shoes the same way. Now it's about who believes in their moves, and who doesn't. I have to get my guys to believe in that. Believe you're doing everything right and you can knock off the No. 1 ranked guy."
Penn State (9-0 overall, 5-0 in the Big Ten) remains the dominant force in collegiate wrestling. Nine of its 10 starting wrestlers – representing eight states from coast to coast -- are ranked nationally, including four at No. 1 in their weight class, and three others ranked in the top seven.
Indiana has no ranked wrestlers.
The Nittany Lions' powerhouse lineup includes a wrestler from Indiana -- All-America 141-pound Nick Lee of Evansville Mater Dei High School. A former Indiana state champ, Lee represents the kind of in-state elite talent Escobedo hopes to consistently sign.
The Nittany Lions have dominated a rugged schedule that includes six ranked opponents. Its closest match is by a 24-13 score over No. 19 Wisconsin.
IU (4-9, 1-5) has had one breakthrough victory this season -- over then No. 12 North Carolina. Escobedo sees IU future in loss to top-ranked Penn State.
"We have to come back with a lot of heart and effort," Escobedo said.
Conley's victory on Sunday came with a break -- Shakur Rasheed, ranked third nationally with a 14-0 record, didn't wrestle. Francisco Bisono did and Conley (14-12) handled him with a couple of early two-point takedowns.
Conley wanted more.
"It's important to set the tone," he said. "I could have done a better job of working for the major. That's what I should have done.
"I protected my lead too much instead of letting it fly and going for more points. I have to work on that for the future."
Added Escobedo: "He could have scored more. I'm always about scoring more, get bonus points as much as you can. He was aware of that. As soon as he came off the mat, he said 'Coach, what could I have done better?' That's what you want from your athletes."
Conley, a member of the ROTC, competed in front of a sizeable contingent of fellow cadets.
"It was nice for them to come out and support a fellow cadet," Conley said. "They've allowed me to compete as an intercollegiate athlete and still be a ROTC cadet. It was cool for them to watch."
As Escobedo put it, "He had that whole big section. It was getting loud. That helped him out. Being able to compete and having that pride to take this program to the next level."
Conley isn't the only one.
"I can see it in my guys," Escobedo said. "It's different than it was before."
Conley said he wants to make the most of the final weeks before the Big Ten and NCAA tourneys.
"I have to work on using every match to do a better job of leaving it all out there, take more risks, rather than hanging on. Not focus on protecting leads."
IU's early Sunday lead disappeared in the next match, when Penn State's top-ranked Bo Nickal, the two-time national champion, recorded a first-period pin over Jake Kleimola. The Nittany Lions led 6-3.
Indiana heavyweight Fletcher Miller's 11-5 loss to fourth-ranked Anthony Cassar made it 9-3.
Liam Cronin came close to a victory at 125, twice just missing throwing Devin Schnupp to his back before losing 5-2.
IU trailed 12-3, but with Garrett Pepple getting a forfeit at 133 pounds, closed within 12-9.
Penn State, with three wrestlers ranked No. 1, won the last five matches. The Hoosiers had another near miss at 149 with Fernie Silva's 6-4 loss.
"As a team, we had a good attitude," Conley said. "Penn State is a tough team. We had guys wrestle tough. There are a lot of positives to look forward to the next couple of weeks.
"The Big Ten is a tough conference, the best in the country. It's looking forward to every match as an opportunity to make a name for ourselves. We have nothing to lose. Focus on the opportunities to knock off some big names."
In the aftermath, Escobedo had this message for the Hoosiers: "Don't get discouraged. Get motivated.
"We have time to close that gap. And we will."
Players Mentioned
/ Wrestling
/ Wrestling
/ Wrestling
/ Wrestling
/ Wrestling
IUBB Postgame Press Conference
Saturday, November 29
IUWBB Postgame vs. Gonzaga (Coconut Hoops)
Friday, November 28
Under the Hood - Week 14 (at Purdue)
Thursday, November 27
Darian DeVries Postgame Press Conference
Wednesday, November 26