Indiana University Athletics
Indiana Wrestling is 'Hungry' to Raise the Bar in 2021-2022
11/4/2021 10:00:00 AM | Wrestling
By Jackson Yeary
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. –– When Angel Escobedo thinks of one word to describe his Indiana Wrestling team, there is only word that comes to mind –– "hungry."
The team may have only won two matches a season ago in a shortened-COVID year, but the fourth-year head coach has no doubts that this year's group is ready to make their mark.
"I would say 'hungry' because we're unproven and I know these guys want to showcase how much better this program is getting," Escobedo said.
The first opportunities to capitalize on the newfound motivation come this weekend as Indiana will head to Louisville to take on Bellarmine and SIUE, both on Sunday, Nov. 7.
Part of the reason for Indiana's renewed energy is just being able to go about their season normally again.
Just as it did to everything and everyone, the pandemic made the team's season a year ago far more difficult.
There was practically no off-season to train, the season's start got delayed until January, and the team was only able to compete against other Big Ten schools.
This year, things have reset, and the team's development and full schedule is back in swing.
With the Big Ten being as grueling as always in wrestling, Escobedo finds the regained non-conference matches especially important to help his wrestlers grow against other talented teams and prepare for the gauntlet of the conference season.
"You just get a different look, a different feel," Escobedo said of wrestling non-conference opponents again. "Especially for our young guys to kind of build into things before the Big Ten season."
With much of his team being young, including 18 total underclassmen, the non-conference tests will be especially important for this year's group.
When looking for leadership of a young group, Indiana will look to its four wrestlers who were named to InterMat's preseason national rankings.
Brock Hudkins, Cayden Rooks, Graham Rooks, and D.J. Washington each received national preseason honors for their respective weight classes.
Each of the four provides a wealth of experience and talent to help guide the team. Washington can even offer some international perspective to his squad.
This past summer, Washington was selected to represent Team USA in the 2021 Junior World Championships in Ufa, Russia where he competed against top talents around the world.
"He trained all summer with the best guys in the country," Escobedo said of the redshirt sophomore. "He's gained a lot of experience; he should be one of the guys leading the charge."
With a healthy combination of talent, depth, and experience, things are only looking up for Escobedo's squad going into 2021-22.
The team will have 12 single-matches and three invites/opens throughout the season to rewrite the narrative on what people think of IU Wrestling.
"I think before, in the past, people may have looked down on Indiana, and we're ready to change that," Escobedo said.
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. –– When Angel Escobedo thinks of one word to describe his Indiana Wrestling team, there is only word that comes to mind –– "hungry."
The team may have only won two matches a season ago in a shortened-COVID year, but the fourth-year head coach has no doubts that this year's group is ready to make their mark.
"I would say 'hungry' because we're unproven and I know these guys want to showcase how much better this program is getting," Escobedo said.
The first opportunities to capitalize on the newfound motivation come this weekend as Indiana will head to Louisville to take on Bellarmine and SIUE, both on Sunday, Nov. 7.
Part of the reason for Indiana's renewed energy is just being able to go about their season normally again.
Just as it did to everything and everyone, the pandemic made the team's season a year ago far more difficult.
There was practically no off-season to train, the season's start got delayed until January, and the team was only able to compete against other Big Ten schools.
This year, things have reset, and the team's development and full schedule is back in swing.
With the Big Ten being as grueling as always in wrestling, Escobedo finds the regained non-conference matches especially important to help his wrestlers grow against other talented teams and prepare for the gauntlet of the conference season.
"You just get a different look, a different feel," Escobedo said of wrestling non-conference opponents again. "Especially for our young guys to kind of build into things before the Big Ten season."
With much of his team being young, including 18 total underclassmen, the non-conference tests will be especially important for this year's group.
When looking for leadership of a young group, Indiana will look to its four wrestlers who were named to InterMat's preseason national rankings.
Brock Hudkins, Cayden Rooks, Graham Rooks, and D.J. Washington each received national preseason honors for their respective weight classes.
Each of the four provides a wealth of experience and talent to help guide the team. Washington can even offer some international perspective to his squad.
This past summer, Washington was selected to represent Team USA in the 2021 Junior World Championships in Ufa, Russia where he competed against top talents around the world.
"He trained all summer with the best guys in the country," Escobedo said of the redshirt sophomore. "He's gained a lot of experience; he should be one of the guys leading the charge."
With a healthy combination of talent, depth, and experience, things are only looking up for Escobedo's squad going into 2021-22.
The team will have 12 single-matches and three invites/opens throughout the season to rewrite the narrative on what people think of IU Wrestling.
"I think before, in the past, people may have looked down on Indiana, and we're ready to change that," Escobedo said.
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