Seniors say goodbye to IU crowd

Seniors Gabe Cook, Kevin Stanley and Mike Dixon received a warm send-off as an audience of about 150 gathered Sunday at the University Gym to celebrate Senior Day for the wrestling squad. The convincing victory against Northwestern represented the last time the Hoosier trio would wrestle in front of its home crowd.\n"I'm going to miss the fans; it's a great crowd here," Cook said. "Indiana's a great place to wrestle."\nA brief ceremony was held before the match as the three seniors were joined by their parents and honored for their accomplishments as four-year starters. The three have combined for 60 victories this season.\nThe 149-pound Cook set the Hoosiers off to a great start by easily handling the Wildcats' Ryan Cumbee in the opening match. Cook leaped out with a quick two-point take down and never looked back, en route to a 19-3 decision that gave the Hoosiers a 5-0 lead. The victory upped his record to 22-9 on the season.\n"I wanted to get out to an early lead, and I could tell he was a little tired," Cook said. "I did what I wanted to do, and he kind of gave up a little bit towards the end."\nStanley was the next senior to take center stage and followed up his outstanding performance Friday night by pinning the Wildcats' Ryan Kane with plenty of time to spare in the second period. His record improves to 25-9 on the season.\n"I was more concerned about Friday going into the weekend. I wanted to have a good showing against Michigan and then pick up the extra baggage today," Stanley said. \n Stanley recorded his 100th career victory three weeks ago in Indianapolis.\n Dixon was unable to break out of his recent slump against the Wildcats' Josh Saul, the 16th-ranked heavyweight in the country. The two struggled to solve each other's smothering defense as the match lacked a single take down. Saul took the narrow 2-1 victory when Dixon was penalized for stalling in the second round.\n "I'm a little disappointed in myself," said Dixon, who claimed to feel no added pressure in his final home match. "It was just a regular match. I have to find a way to get my offense going before Big Tens."\n Coach Duane Goldman had nothing but good things to say about his graduating seniors.\n"It was great to see all three giving a big effort, especially Stanley with the pin," Goldman said. "They've provided a lot of excitement over the last four years, and I'm proud of each and every one of them"