The Online Reflector

PANKO

By Cole Willis | Staff Writer

The University of Indianapolis wrestling team’s season started off the regular season with an announcement that Terry Wetherald would become interim head coach due to the departure of former coach Jay Yates. Wetherald had previously been a coach at UIndy for 31 years.

“We have adjusted well to his style of coaching and style of wrestling,” said junior Lynn Panko. “He has more of an emphasis on an aggressive and intense style.”

The wrestling team headed to the annual Wheaton College Invitational Jan. 30-31, and finished 13th of 31 teams. Only junior Matt Irwin and freshman Ethan Harris placed second in their weight classes.

The ‘Hounds traveled to Wabash College on Jan. 24 for the Wabash Monon Bell Duals. UIndy won three of its four meets. The team continued to be inconsistent as it defeated Ohio Northern University 21-18, but then lost to Muskegon College 21-26. UIndy finished the afternoon with wins over Lincoln College and Manchester College.

“We are working on becoming a more consistent team,” said senior Jimmy Nichols. “When we are wrestling well, we can wrestle with anyone. But when we are off, we are getting beat by teams that shouldn’t even be close.”

On Jan. 20, UIndy lost to Trine University 22-18. The ‘Hounds came up short due to multiple injuries that caused them to forfeit both the 197-pound and 285-pound matches. The 285-pound match would have included Panko, who has been ranked as high as fifth in the nation this season, but a foot injury kept him from wrestling.

Before the season started, the team found out that due to non-wrestling related issues, two veteran starters would no longer be with the team. With these unexpected losses, several younger wrestlers were forced to step-up.

“It’s tough when you have some guys you expect to be with you, and they’re no longer on the team,” Nichols said.

The wrestling team struggled in the beginning to deal with these unexpected changes and started the season with losses in three of its first four meets.

The turning point of the season came on Jan. 17 when the ‘Hounds took part in the Manchester College Spartan Mat Classic. UIndy took second in a field of 14 teams, and Harris was named Outstanding Wrestler.

Harris won all five of his matches that weekend and was champion in the 133 lb. weight class.

“We have a lot of great wrestlers on this team, and we wrestled some good competition,” Harris said. “We even had other guys on the team that could have been named outstanding wrestler. I was just lucky they thought I wrestled well, and it was a great honor to be named outstanding wrestler.”

The ‘Hounds next host McKendree University at the Ruth Lilly Fitness Center Feb. 5.