Team takes 2-0 record to Iowa

The IU wrestling team takes its 2-0 record to Cedar Falls, Iowa, Saturday to compete in the 53rd annual Northern Iowa Open. More than 300 wrestlers from around the Midwest are expected to battle in the day-long meet, held in the Northern Iowa Dome. IU will join other Big Ten schools as well as teams from the Big 12 and Divisions I and II. \n"This is a tournament for us to gain some more experience, get a lot of matches in and stay healthy so we can move on," IU coach Duane Goldman said. "It's not as big a tournament as the Missouri Open, but there are a lot of ranked teams there."\nThe Hoosiers will try to build on last week's double win at home in their second Open meet of the year. In an Open meet, no team points are rewarded, but individual wrestlers compete for specific weight class championships. IU's lineup features several potential contenders for those titles.\n"We're trying to build upon our past performances of the season, which have been good so far," freshman Brandon Becker said. "We're trying to climax towards the Big Tens and Nationals, but the guys are looking better and better."\nThe prospect of going on the road to wrestle for the second time in three meets also does not affect the team.\n"I think that anything that is different from the norm, like wrestling on the road, builds character," sophomore Joel Powers said. "It's just one thing that you have to do different from somebody else." \nThe week between meets is spent preparing for the upcoming matches. The routine differs from week to week depending upon what needs to be worked on.\n"Our focus right now is to look back at our past meets, assess where we are at, and what areas we need to work on to get better," Goldman said. "We adjust our practices weekly, even daily, depending on the areas and techniques that need help."\nThe newly practiced techniques will be put to the test Saturday in the Northern Iowa Open. The matches begin at 9 a.m. and continue all day until the champions of each weight classes are crowned.\n-- Contact staff writer Colin Burns at coaburns@indiana.edu.