Rebellious, rugged wrestler leads team in wins

By Mike Urena
Staff Writer

The Purdue wrestling team's winningest member is not exactly a choirboy.

Ryan Lange, a redshirt freshman who is 22-6 at the 174-pound spot, is a rebel but he has a cause — winning wrestling matches.

The rugged, ripped wrestler walks out on the mat with uncombed hair that is blond with black roots. The tattoo of a dragon on his left calf shows that Lange knows about pain, but his thick build is indicative of his ability to also inflict pain.

"I got the tattoo when I was 15," Lange said. "I had a real good wrestling program in high school and we all went out and just got one as a team, but it really had no significance."

What was significant, however, was Lange's senior year at Nordonia High School in Northfield, Ohio. He compiled a 36-1 record and won the state championship. He placed third in the nation that year and was an obvious selection for MVP of his high school team.

Given his high school success it was no surprise that Lange received offers from many collegiate coaches. But it was the sincerity of the Purdue staff that made Lange opt to attend Purdue.

"Pretty much, the coaches were a big deal for me," Lange said. "Ohio State wanted me, but it felt better to come here."

Lange said it also feels good that he beat Ohio State 174-pounder Ryan Hieber twice this season. The Buckeyes took Hieber over Lange after the two graduated high school.

Purdue coach Jessie Reyes said he has always liked Lange for his athleticism and strength.

"We are fortunate to get him," Reyes said. "He is doing what he is supposed to do."

But that wasn't the case right away for Lange, who redshirted last season.

"Being away from home and not wrestling during my redshirt time was brutal," Lange said. "But it helped me become tough."

But then Lange beat incumbent Jon Fitch before this season to claim the starting job at 174.

"I pretty much expected to be a tough contender this season because I have been working hard all summer with the coaches," Lange said.

Reyes expected Lange to be a valuable addition for the team as soon as he recruited him, but leading the team with wins as a freshman was surprising for the coach.

"I didn't expect him to lead the team that way," Reyes said. "We have guys like Jason Silverstein, Evan Robinson, Jake Vercelli and Kirk Moore, and all four are returning NCAA qualifiers."

Like all other freshmen on the team, Lange has to keep his confidence in order to attain All-America status.

"The opportunity to be an All-American is there," said Lange, who, like everyone else, needs to place in the top eight at nationals to be named All-American.

"I just have to step it up the next couple weeks and peak at the right time."

As of last week, Lange was not ranked in the top 20 at his weight, even though he has a win over No. 6 John Kopnisky of Missouri and No. 14 Matt Kraft of Minnesota.

"I don't understand it," Reyes said. "He has beaten some real good kids, but I think the loss to Northern Iowa hurt him."

Becoming an All-American this year isn't on Lange's mind too much.

"Being an All-American or breaking national records doesn't really matter to me," Lange said. "I just want to go out there and do my best."

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Rebellious, rugged wrestler leads team in wins

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