While the Big Ten wrestling season officially got underway last weekend, the Badgers will open up their homestand this weekend when they play host to the Michigan State Spartans and the Iowa Hawkeyes on Friday and Sunday, respectively.
The No. 19 Badgers (9-6, 1-1 Big Ten) are coming off a victory over Indiana and a tough loss to Ohio State last weekend. The loss to the Buckeyes is by far the hardest to swallow, since UW knows that they had the opportunity to knock off the No. 2 ranked team in the country. The match did not come without controversy; UW’s Grant Hoerr (141 lbs) had a call go in his favor when the official ruled that his opponent, Robert Sessley, had locked his hands, which is an illegal procedure.
Unfortunately though, the ref reversed the call, and Sessley earned the decision in the 1-1, two-overtime loss. The Badgers ultimately lost 21-18.
“[The OSU loss] was a hard loss,” said UW head coach Barry Davis. “We had an opportunity to win the match. There were a couple matches we felt we should have won — Tony Black (125 lbs) and Grant Hoerr. The match should have been 24-12. I tell my guys, though, ‘Hey, that was the second-ranked team in the country, so where does that put us?’ Our motto now is, ‘No limits.'”
Even though the loss still resonates in their minds, the Badgers are focusing on as many positives as possible for this weekend. No. 13 Michigan Sate (3-5, 0-2 Big Ten) is coming in after two strait losses to Minnesota and Purdue. Minnesota, the top-ranked team in the nation, easily handled the Spartans 37-0. Earlier that weekend they lost to Purdue 24-10.
Already having to face a losing mark, Michigan State came out of the weekend with even more to worry about. Their 133-pounder, Ryan L’Amoreaux, is now questionable for Friday’s matchup due to a shoulder injury incurred in practice. MSU has already lost junior All-American Nik Fekete to a season-ending injury suffered in December.
“[MSU] is ranked in the country, so they are obviously doing something right,” said Davis. “I’m not really sure how the injuries will effect [Michigan State], but all I can do is focus on our guys, keep them healthy, and do whatever it takes to win.”
Before the No. 5 Hawkeyes (12-2, 2-0 Big Ten) prepare to grapple with UW, they will first have to do battle with Minnesota. The battle between No. 1 and No. 2 in the conference could end up going in the favor of Wisconsin. Iowa’s match against the Gophers not only will wear both teams down physically, but mentally as well, which could have them entering the Field House not at their top-level.
“To me, it doesn’t matter who [Iowa] wrestles before us,” said Davis. “Come match time, our guys will step on that mat ready to go.”
Junior Kevin Black thinks otherwise.
“I’m sure that [Iowa is putting more focus on the Minnesota match], in fact they should,” said Black. “The match may take a lot out of them — they could be beat up, bruised, or emotionally shaken, which could go in our favor.”
Aside from the wrestling on the mat, the Hawkeyes have been dealing with loss off the mat that is far worse than anything that has occurred so far in the circle. On Jan. 21, redshirt freshman Ryan Heim suffered a head injury in a car accident that has left him in a coma, and he now requires a respirator and feeding tube. He remains in stable condition.
Wrestling begins at 7 p.m. Friday and 1 p.m. Sunday in the Field House.
