Wrestlers sharp for national test

By Nathan Linsley

Daily Sports Writer

Students are rarely excited about midterms. The school year progresses just fine, with challenges interspersed here and there, until the dreaded exams draw near. And then, all at once, the big test is around the corner.

Midterm time has come for the Michigan wrestling team, but unlike the usual college student, the squad is ready.

The National Duals Invitational takes place this weekend in State College, and the Wolverines will be in a field consisting of 16 teams - 12 ranked in the top 25 in Division I and the champions from Division II, III and the NAIA.

The only unranked team heading into the double-elimination meet is the host Nittany Lions, who defeated No. 10 Lehigh this past weekend.

"It will be a good test for us," Michigan coach Joe McFarland said.

The Wolverines must prepare for the tougher competition after the Wendy's Classic Duals last weekend, when they shut out three overmatched opponents.

The team is refreshed and ready following the weekend, which was scheduled to maintain weights, keep the team in competitive shape and fine-tune individual moves.

"It was a good break," junior Andy Hrovat said. "Lehigh and Penn were a tough weekend and then we had this past weekend to get back into things. Now it's all uphill."

The tournament draw will be announced on Friday, but the Wolverines, by virtue of being one of the top eight teams in the nation, are guaranteed to not face another top-eight team until the second round.

If the Wolverines win on Saturday morning, they will most likely draw Iowa, the defending national champions. The Hawkeyes are 9-1 on the season, with their only loss coming to No. 1 Oklahoma State.

"That will be a good test because they're real tough in the lower weights - their first five guys are studs," Hrovat said. "The rest of the guys are good, but not as proven as their first couple guys."

McFarland said: "They're a great team - great program. Without a question, the number one wrestling program in the country."

Michigan is hoping to build on its dual meet success this season which has led to a 7-0 record, including three wins against ranked opponents.

"The key to this weekend is how these guys as individual wrestlers approach their matches," he said. "If they go in with the right intensity and wrestle hard for seven minutes, I think good things could happen."

Regardless of the outcome this weekend, the Wolverines will have to regroup quickly in preparation for the Big Ten schedule, which opens a week from Friday at No. 2 Minnesota.

"We are getting into the tough part of the season, the grind, and from here on out, it is just one tough team after another," McFarland said.

This weekend marks the first chance for the Wolverines to get a shot at the four best teams this season - Oklahoma State, Iowa, Iowa State and Minnesota.

"We have to go into it with the right mindset, and the right approach," he said. "These guys have responded to every challenge that has been thrown their way so far this season, and this could be a huge challenge for us."