The No. 10 Michigan wrestling team - led by All-American juniors Airron Richardson, Bill Lacure and Jeff Catrabone - prepares for its first meet of the season this weekend.
The Wolverines will travel to East Lansing for the Michigan Open, which lasts all day Saturday and Sunday.
"This meet will give everybody a chance to wrestle," Michigan coach Dale Bahr said. "It's close to home, and it's an excellent challenge for the veterans. Our three returning All-Americans should be contending for titles."
Since the Wolverines' important team-competition meets happen from January to March, Michigan is conserving its 16 competition dates by having each wrestler enter unattatched.
"This first tournament is going to be a stepping stone," Catrabone said. "It will be an introduction to how good of shape we're in and what everyone needs to work on. We'll see everyone's pros and cons, while competing with other competition, besides Michigan guys in the room (during practice)."
According to Lacure, this tournament also gives the Wolverines a chance to wrestle competitively without a lot of pressure.
"There will be a lot of good competition," Lacure said. "This weekend will be a good marker of how we compete with average and above-average teams."
Since junior All-American Brandon Howe is out for the season with a shoulder injury, Michigan is looking to the younger members of the team to develop and make an impact right away. The freshman that will probably start this season are Damian Logan (126 pounds), Otto Olson (158/167) and Joe DeGain (177).
"Hopefully, (our freshmen and sophomores) will place in the top six this weekend," Lacure said. "We like the younger wrestlers to get a lot of matches in, so in the second half of the season, they can have some experience under their belt."
As long as everyone stays healthy, Bahr has high expectations for his squad.
"How high we can be in the top 10 depends on how healthy we can keep guys," Bahr said. "Having a good guy like Brandon out can be worth quite a few points in the NCAA. We can't afford to lose anybody else."
Catrobone, who went into the nationals seeded in the top five in both his freshman and sophomore years, is one of those that needs to stay healthy. Last year, he placed seventh after wrestling four matches with a broken hand.
"This year, I want nothing but the best," Catrabone said. "If I'm healthy at the end of the year, I want nothing less than the national championship. I'm training for a national title."