IU upbeat, ready for Big Ten

The pressure is rising.\nThis weekend marks the beginning of the end for each wrestler who has dreamed of becoming a national qualifier, All-American or national champion.\nThe IU wrestling team heads to Evanston, Ill. Saturday for the culmination of the conference season -- the Big Ten Conference Championships. Play opens at noon Saturday and ends Sunday at Welsh-Ryan Arena on the campus of Northwestern.\nNo. 20 IU looks to claim its 14th team title. IU hasn't won a Big Ten crown since 1943. Last year's team finished 10th. In the program's history, 41 Hoosiers have earned conference championships, with Roger Chandler most recently accomplishing the feat in 1997.\nFor each wrestler, the conference championships represent a chance to avenge losses suffered during the season. Coach Duane Goldman said he stresses to his team the importance of wrestling well in the conference season in preparation for conference championships. He said this weekend is similar to a new season for each wrestler.\n "Ultimately, this is where the road ends and starts again for them," Goldman said. "No matter how well their season has gone, it could be done or … even if they have had a bad season, they can turn that over with a great weekend."\n To become a national qualifier in the Big Ten, a wrestler must place in the top seven of the conference championships or earn one of three wild card spots, which are chosen by the coaches. Since 1992, Goldman has coached 38 NCAA qualifiers. In the 1993-94 season, Goldman coached a personal-best eight qualifiers. Last year's squad sent six to the national tournament. Three of those national qualifiers -- sophomore Ty Matthews (197 lbs.), junior Viktor Sveda (184) and senior Kevin Stanley (165) -- return this season.\nThe Hoosiers (15-6, 3-5 Big Ten) completed league play Feb. 3 with a win at Wisconsin. IU topped Northwestern, Purdue and the Badgers, and lost to Minnesota, Michigan, Michigan State, Illinois and Ohio State. Goldman said other teams did not expect his squad to rebound as well as they have.\n"Basically, our season was looked at dismally, as far as how our regular season would go," Goldman said. "But these guys have sucked it up and done a great job."\nInjuries have struck the Hoosiers throughout the season, though Goldman said it will not affect his team this weekend. Sophomore Greg Schaefer has recovered from an ankle sprain suffered last month and Sveda has fought back problems which have affected his training. \nRedshirt freshman Coyte Cooper has recovered from an ankle sprain and said the team is physically ready.\n"I think we are healthier than we have been all year," Cooper said. "Up to now, I think everyone's heads are up and everyone is ready to go."\nSenior Mike Dixon said last week's practice was intense, while this week has been a little slower. Goldman used this week of practice to work on fitness, technique and keeping his team healthy.\nCooper said he is encouraged by the past two weeks of practice and said the team's spirits are high. \n"We are serious, but we are joking around," Cooper said. "I think everyone has worked real hard and deserves to do well"