Wrestling starts season at Missouri Open
By Mandy Weber | Staff Writer
The University of Indianapolis wrestling team opened its season with their first meet at the Missouri Open on Nov. 23.
Junior Matt Irwin placed fifth in the open division 141 weight class for UIndy. J.T. Jenkins placed second in the freshman-sophomore division 174 weight class, while Jessey Walley placed third in the same division’s 184 weight class.
Coach Jay Yates
“The meet provided] us with a good measuring stick for how we compare against some of the best teams in NCAA Division I and NCAA Division II,” said head coach Jay Yates.
On Nov. 8, the wrestling team met at the Ruth Lilly Fitness Center for an intra-squad exhibition meet. This meet was a warm-up to prepare for the competition on Nov. 23 at the Missouri Open.
According to senior Kevin Flinn, at the intra-squad meet the team basically wrestled each other.
“It is never something anyone likes. Friendships take a hard hit as well as egos and pride,” Flinn said. “Business is business though and you have to do what you have to do.”
According to Yates, the wrestling team began pre-season practice the third week of school, conditioning and weight lifting for about six hours per week.
“We are now practicing anywhere from 15 to 18 hours per week with most of the time spent working on skill drills, technique and live wrestling,” Yates said.
Yates said the effort at the intra-squad meet was great.
“I saw a lot of things we need to improve on and some things we’re already doing well,” Yates said. “Nationals isn’t far and we hope to be attending with at least seven team members.”
Junior Matt Irwin said that as the season progresses, the team will mature and become much better than they are now. UIndy has yet to be ranked this season.
“We get overlooked and under ranked every year,” Flinn said. “This year we are just going to make them bite their tongue. We’ve got some studs and we’re ready to dominate.”
The UIndy wrestling team will next compete in the Indiana Little State meet on Dec. 5-6. This meet includes all NCAA Division II and Division III teams in Indiana compete together. The meet will be held at Wabash College in Crawfordsville, Ind.
The ‘Hounds will also compete in the Ohio Northern Invitational in Ada , Ohio on Dec. 13 and the Newberry Duals in Newberry, S.C. on Dec. 17.
