Wrestlers to battle NCAA's 'Big Three'

Seven Michigan wrestlers descend on Penn State this weekend for the NCAA Wrestling Championships. Seven wrestlers who have endured two-a-day practices, a grueling meet schedule and their own fair share of injuries. Seven wrestlers who will have to deal with the Big Three of college wrestling - Minnesota, Oklahoma State and Iowa.

"Those three teams are clearly better than the rest of us," said Illinois coach Mark Johnson, who is sending nine wrestlers to the meet. "The rest of the guys will look to do well individually."

Michigan's best chance for an individual title is sophomore Otto Olson, who finished third at the Big Ten Championship. That was a disappointing finish for Olson, who had been ranked second in the country in the 174 pound weight class.

DAVID ROCHKIND/Daily As seven members of the Michigan wrestling team travel to Penn State for the NCAA Wrestling Championships, they enter a field dominated by participants from three wrestling powerhouses - Minnesota, Oklahoma State and Iowa.

"Otto learned his lesson," Michigan coach Dale Bahr said. "But he qualified for nationals and that's what's important."

One Wolverine who will miss the NCAA's is senior Chris Viola - a two time NCAA qualifier.

Viola finished eighth at Big Tens, one spot away from qualifying for NCAA's.

"Chris had a great season," Bahr said. "He just had a horrible tournament."

Other wrestlers travelling to Penn State include Joe Warren and Damion Logan - Michigan's other top hopes for an individual title.

Warren and Logan both lost in the finals of the Big Ten tournament - an experience that Logan said will help him at NCAAs.

"It's good experience," Logan said after he lost. "It's definitely not something you want to feel again, though."

Seniors Corey Grant and Frank Lodeserto are going for their last shot at glory.

Grant, a former walk-on and four year starter has drawn the praise of Bahr recently.

"He's been a real surprise for us, but he just needs to wrestle to his ability," Bahr said.

Freshmen Andy Hrovat and Matt Brink round out Michigan's qualifiers. Both are ranked in the top 20 in the country in their respective weight classes.

The NCAA Championships mark the last meet in the 25-year career of Bahr, but if the meet goes anything like Big Tens, Bahr will be relieved when it's over.

"I'm happy it's done," Bahr said at the conclusion of Big Ten's. "It's such a pressure-packed weekend, with 30 or 40 major ups and downs."

Minnesota, coming off a Big Ten team championship, is considered the favorite. But the Gophers aren't taking anything for granted.

"We're taking everything in stride, it's not over yet," Minnesota coach J Robinson said. "We can only worry about the things we can control."

Nebraska coach Tim Newman thinks that looking at only the top three teams is being short-sighted.

"Oklahoma wrestled phenomally at Big 12's," Newman said. "I think you really have to look at them."

Oklahoma shocked then first-ranked Oklahoma State at the Big 12 Championship.

Jim Zalesky, head coach at Iowa, said that Oklahoma State's loss won't mean much this weekend.

"I still think that there are three clear favorites," Zalesky said.

Even though Michigan may not be a strong contender for the team title, anything can happen over the course of three days. And at the end of it all, seven weary and wounded men will leave Penn State, perhaps with a national title or two. Seven men who worked their body to the point where it could give no more. Seven men who don't have to do it again until next season.

03-18-99