Sophomore wrestler has big goals

On a team with only one senior, younger wrestlers need to become leaders. Pat DeGain, a sophomore from Clarkston, Mich., has done just that. \n"We do have a young team," said freshman Joe Dubuque, "but we want to compete and with guys like Pat, we will."\nCoach Duane Goldman has had nothing but praise for DeGain all season, "Pat had a very good freshman season. He is definitely a leader on the team both vocally and with his intensity," Goldman said. "He is right in there ready to have an exceptional year."\nDeGain has lived up to Goldman's billing by compiling a dual meet record of 9-1 and an overall record of 17-2. The 197-pound sophomore has been consistently ranked among the elite wrestlers in the nation. \nGoing into the Wendy's Duals, DeGain was ranked No. 10 by wrestling magazine Intermat and No. 15 by TheMat.com and Wrestling International Newsmagazine (W.I.N. Magazine). Those rankings are almost certain to rise after DeGain went 3-0 at the Wendy's Duals on Sunday, Jan. 12. But, rankings are not what really concerns DeGain.\n"A ranking is a ranking. It just means that more people are watching and that people are going to be ready for you." DeGain said in a preseason interview, when asked how he felt about rankings.\nRight now, DeGain seems ready for the rest of the field. After helping the Hoosiers go undefeated at the Buckeye Duals, DeGain admitted his only personal goal for the season is a trip to Kansas City for the NCAA Finals.\n"You have to set your goals high, otherwise you won't ever reach that high level," DeGain said. "If I don't reach that level, I'll still have a shot at being an All-American."\nDeGain certainly is no stranger when it comes to competing for titles. DeGain earned two state championships during his high school career and won his final 99 matches at Clarkston High School. In 1998, DeGain traveled to Manchester, England and won a silver medal in the Cadet Freestyle World Championships.\nHigh school and international success have obviously helped prepare DeGain for a title quest, but so has growing up with brothers Joe and Clint. Older brother Joe DeGain attended the University of Michigan and was the captain of the wrestling team. Younger brother Clint DeGain recently committed to The Citadel and will begin wrestling with the Bulldogs next year. Growing up with that kind of sibling rivalry, it is little wonder DeGain feels ready for a title shot.