Recovering health is family affair for Hoosier wrestler

At this time last year, freshman Pat DeGain sat on the sidelines, unable to wrestle. Shoulder surgery ended his season prematurely. He knew it would take plenty of hard work to come back.\nHis brother, Joe DeGain, helped the recovery process.\nPat DeGain comes from a family of wrestlers. Both of his older brothers were state champions. Joe went to the University of Michigan. He finished his collegiate career last year with a third-place finish in the Big Ten Championships.\nThis season, with Joe at his side, Pat has made his mark at Indiana and in the Big Ten. He won five consecutive matches so far this season, putting together a 12-5 record (2-0 Big Ten).\n"I tried to get out of his footsteps," Pat DeGain said. "I wanted to create my own. I feel a little bit of pressure (because of his brother), but not to the extent where it affects my performance."\nLast year, DeGain sat out from December until the end of the season. He said the injury forced him to change his style but that the changes are for the best.\n"Regardless of the injury, I had to change my style for college wrestling," DeGain said. "The surgery forced me to change. I had to lower my angles and level changes and not just rush in. I'm better than I was before."\nDeGain had to work his way back from the injury. He spent time with his brother Joe working out over the summer. DeGain credits his success this season to his brother.\n"We worked out all the time," he said. "He has helped me mentally too. He's told me to work hard, play hard. He's helped me out so much."\nAssistant coach Charles Burton said DeGain is making the most of his opportunity. DeGain is filling in for junior Ty Matthews, who is out with an injury. Burton also credits DeGain's work ethic.\n"He's a very hard worker," Burton said. "He battles with all the guys. He's dangerous because he can score from several positions now. He just gets his nose in there and battles."\nFreshman J.P Stanley said DeGain will work out on his own, as well as with the team. Stanley also thinks that DeGain's brother's shadow doesn't overwhelm him.\n"It's not too much pressure for him," Stanley said. "It's that he wants to be better."\nHead coach Duane Goldman said there's a lot that DeGain needs to work on and that he will only get better as his maturity level rises.\n"He doesn't take anything lightly," Goldman said. "He has a good attitude and has stepped it up."\nDeGain has already started to create his own footsteps at IU and move away from his brother. \n"I don't have to live in his shadow, but I want to be better," DeGain said. "My goals are higher than what he accomplished"