And the hits just keep on coming. Literally.
It's been a tough year in the injury department for the Michigan wrestling team. The trouble started in August and hasn't let up since.
Shoulders seem to be the primary area of concern. Junior All-American Brandon Howe (126 pounds) had shoulder surgery in August, ending his season.
Next in line was freshman Damion Logan. Logan's season was over when he injured his shoulder at the Las Vegas Classic on Dec. 8. He had surgery Jan. 22.
At last weekend's Big Ten Championships 190-pound Frank Lodeserto separated his shoulder in the first minute of his first match. Meanwhile, Chris Viola (118 pounds) is bothered by his shoulder.
"In 19 years I've had one shoulder injury, (now volunteer assistant coach) John Fisher," Michigan coach Dale Bahr said.
"Now, all of a sudden, I've got Logan with a shoulder operation, Howe with a shoulder operation, and Lodeserto and (Viola) all have shoulder injuries.
"And I've never had shoulder injuries like that before, so it seems like when you get a rash of a certain injury, it seems to run through the team, and that's what's happened right now."
Other injuries have not been spared, either. Brian Aparo (134 pounds) had elbow surgery in September. Last weekend 158-pound Otto Olson suffered a separation in the collarbone area, where the bone meets the sternum, according to Bahr.
"He's still in a sling right now and will be for a few days," Bahr said.
Hip lacured: All-American Bill Lacure (150 pounds) strained his hip, during his Big Ten Championship loss to Iowa's two-time NCAA champion Lincoln Mcllravy, 19-7. The injury should not hinder him at next weekend's NCAA Championships.
"It's sore but nothing too terrible," Lacure said. "My body's falling apart. I always hurt something, but everybody's hurting at this point in the season."
Three guys a charm: Big Ten finalists Lacure, Jeff Catrabone (167 pounds) and Airron Richardson (heavyweight) marked the largest number of Michigan wrestlers in the finals since 1991.
The tri-captains and All-Americans each finished second in their respective weight classes.
Party of five: At next weekend's NCAA Championships in Waterloo, Iowa, the Wolverines will be sending five participants.
Due to their appearances in the Big Ten finals, Lacure, Catrabone and Richardson received automatic bids, while Viola was voted in as a wild-card. 142-pounder Teya Hill is going as an alternate.
JOHN KRAFT/Daily
Although injuries have hindered the Michigan wrestling team this season, the Wolverines will send five people to next weekend's NCAA championships. The participants are Jeff Catrabone (167 pounds), Bill Lacure (150 pounds), Airron Richardson (heavyweight), Chris Viola (118 pounds) and Teya Hill (142 pounds).