Bahr none

Grapplers host Big Ten meet

For 20 straight years, Dale Bahr has stood in the same spot, watched the same thing and suffered through the same result.

It's made his hair turn gray, sapped his body of energy and frustrated him to levels most people have never experienced.

Every year that Bahr has been the coach of the Michigan wrestling team, Iowa has won the Big Ten championship.

But this year, Bahr may be able to walk away with a different outcome.

DAVID ROCHKIND/Daily For twenty years, Michigan wrestling coach Dale Bahr has seen Iowa rule at the Big Ten championships. But Bahr's team is hoping to prevent Iowa from prevailing again next weekend.

"I think this may be the year that Iowa doesn't win," Bahr said. "In fact, I'd be astounded if they pull it out."

Minnesota has ascended to the top of the conference ranks and with two close wins over the Hawkeyes this season, the Golden Gophers are primed to end Iowa's reign at the Big Ten Championship.

Iowa, which has won 25 straight Big Ten championships, is still ranked third in the country but doesn't have the firepower to keep up with Minnesota.

"Minnesota has the personnel top to bottom to win," Bahr said. "Iowa has four or five outstanding individuals, but just doesn't have the depth."

Leading the way for the Gophers are two wrestlers ranked first in the country in their weight class, Chad Kraft at 157 pounds and 197 pound Tim Hartung.

Michigan brings 10 wrestlers that have a chance to qualify for the NCAA Tournament. It takes a top-seven finish at the conference championship to earn a bid for NCAA's.

"Obviously I'd like to see all 10 qualify," Bahr said. "But I think seven is more realistic and anything above that is gravy."

Leading Michigan's charge is second-ranked Otto Olson. Olson, who did not lose a match in a dual meet all season, will be the top seed at Big Tens.

Olson's stiffest competition will come from Penn State's Glenn Pritzlaff and Northwestern's Mark Bybee. Olson's weight class features nine wrestlers ranked in the top 20 in the country.

"It's saying a lot to say that he's going to win," Bahr said. "It's such a tough weight class, and people are going to be gunning for him."

Damion Logan, at 141 pounds, is also going to face loads of difficult competition. Iowa's Doug Schwab, who pinned Logan in a dual meet earlier this year, is ranked fourth in the country.

Also presenting a challenge for Logan will be Illinois' Carl Perry and Northwestern's Scott Schatzman.

The key for Michigan will be the performance of veterans Chris Viola, Joe Warren and Corey Grant.

Bahr said that Viola and Warren could win a Big Ten title - but only if they wrestle their absolute best.

"Viola can win if he wrestles to his ability and doesn't have a bad match," Bahr said. "Warren's weight class is so packed it will come down who's wrestling their best that weekend."

Grant will not necessarily be aiming for a title, not with Iowa's T.J. Williams in his weight class.

Williams, who is ranked first in the country at 149 pounds, has not lost a match all season. Bahr, though, is optimistic about Grant's chances.

"He's been one of the real surprises this season," Bahr said. "He could sneak into the winner's circle."

If Michigan has any chance of pulling off the unthinkable and winning the Big Ten championship, it rests on the shoulders of guys like freshmen Andy Hrovat and Matt Brink.

"Andy has always done well in the post-season in high school," Bahr said. "Brink needs to be really aggressive to do well."

Regardless of how Michigan's wrestlers do, there is one thing for certain about the meet.

When everyone is packing their bags and going home on Sunday afternoon, Bahr will be standing on the side of the match, drenched in sweat, running his fingers through his now grey hair.

And if Iowa doesn't win the title, Bahr can leave knowing that after 20 years, some things do change.

02-25-99