Wrestling team awaits
match against Indiana
By Mike Urena
Staff Writer
The Purdue wrestling team is anticipating its match
against Indiana, which starts at 7 tonight at Mater Dei High School
in Evansville, Ind. Opening up the Big Ten season with a win is the
focus for the Boilers.
Scott Hinkel, an assistant coach for Purdue (6-1),
said that if the team starts the conference season with wins, the individual
matches will be more important down the road for seedings in the conference
and national tournaments.
"I don't think we're too concerned that we're up
against IU," Hinkel said. "It's our first Big Ten match of the season
and we need to get off on a good start.
"The biggest thing we anticipate is a very large
crowd in a gym that is pretty small."
Purdue's 157-pound sophomore, Oscar Santiago (12-3),
wants to walk away from his first conference meet of the season with
a win.
"I am just looking forward to wrestling hard,"
Santiago said. "This is our opener for the Big Ten season, so I am kind
of excited to get ready for it."
The Canfield, Ohio, native is also eager to compete
in front of a tense crowd, which he said aids him in preparation for
his match.
"I heard that it is going to be a sold-out place,"
said Santiago. "I think that would be pretty exciting to wrestle in
front of a lot of people."
Junior Jared Williams (184 pounds) and freshman
Dan Jankowski (149 pounds) are making a trip back to their hometown
in Evansville.
"That is a real plus to us," Hinkel said. "I think
they are both real excited to wrestle in their hometown."
Williams, who has missed most of this season after
two solid years, ended his conference season last year with a 13-1 major
decision win against IU's Ty Matthews at 184 pounds.
"I hope he will look at it the right way this year
and come out with another win," Hinkel said.
Mater Dei, home of one of the state's top wrestling
programs, is a neutral site, but the Hoosiers are technically the home
team because they chose the location.
"They had the opportunity to provide scorers of
their liking and things like that," said Hinkel.
Not having the home advantage will not bother the
Boilermakers.
"It won't be too much of a disadvantage for us,"
Hinkel said. "If you take the right approach and if we get there plenty
of time beforehand, we won't have a problem."
Following last season's 25-12 loss to the Hoosiers,
the Boilers realize that they have to come out more aggressively tonight
and dominate in order to get a victory.
The Hoosiers are coming off a strong showing at
the Virginia Duals, where they finished third as a team.
"IU is strong," Hinkel said. "We are going to have
to stay together and take the right approach."
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