Weekend drops IU to 1-5 in Big Ten

The IU wrestling team had an unsuccessful weekend, as it went 0-2 in Big Ten action. \nFriday night, No. 2 Michigan came to University Gym and beat the Hoosiers in a hard-fought match. IU also went down Sunday to in-state rival Purdue. The two losses move IU to 17-7 on the year and 1-5 in Big Ten play.\nSunday, the Boilermakers recorded a 21-17 victory over the Hoosiers with three close victories in the latter part of the match in front of a record crowd at Mackey Arena. \nAhead 14-12, heading into the 174-pound division, Purdue reeled off three consecutive wins to clinch the victory. Winners for IU included sophomore Joe Dubuque at 125-pounds. \nDubuque's victory by pin moved him to 26-4 on the year and 4-2 in the Big Ten. Senior Coyte Cooper won at 141-pounds, improving his mark to 34-1 on the year remaining undefeated in conference competition. Freshman Mike Sabatello earned his first Big Ten win at the 165-pound weight class and freshman Josh Buuck closed the match with an 11-6 decision win to push his record to 13-2 as a heavyweight and 4-2 in the conference.\nA gusty and hard-fought effort by IU came up just short Friday night, as Michigan won 22-12 in Bloomington. The Hoosiers cut the Wolverine lead to 16-12, but losses in the last two matches contributed to the margin of victory for the Wolverines, who are now 15-3 on the year.\n"I think we battled hard and came away with some pretty hard-fought victories," IU coach Duane Goldman said. "I think we took a step in the right direction."\nDubuque got the meet off to a roaring start with a 5-2 decision over No. 3 Mark Moos. Dubuque, ranked No. 10 in the nation, controlled the match with two early takedowns to give IU a 3-0 match lead.\nThe match was the last for the two seniors on the team. Cooper's double overtime 6-5 win over Clark Forward, caps a remarkable home career. The senior, ranked No. 5 in the nation, was happy to go out with a win at home.\n"Come the end of the season, I got to be able to wrestle in those close matches," Cooper said. "I've been winning them lately, so I'm happy with that."\nIt was also the last home match for senior Andrew Wolf. He came up short to Michigan's Chase Verdoorn 2-0 in a tough, physical battle at 197-pounds. Goldman, though, was pleased with what he saw.\n"I thought he represented himself well," he said. "He didn't come away with the win, but sometimes there are victories in a loss. I felt he achieved that during the match."\nOther winners included sophomore Brady Richardson and junior Andy Rios at 174 and 184-pounds respectively. Late takedowns by both wrestlers secured 6-5 decisions for each grappler. No. 14 Richardson pumped his record to 23-9 over the weekend and Rios is now 24-9.\n"I'm starting to improve my wrestling," Rios said. "Our team is starting to focus and peak at the right time for the Big Ten Tournament."\nThe Hoosiers close the regular season next weekend in East Lansing, Mich. They will take on the Michigan State Spartans Sunday with matches beginning at 1 p.m. The Big Ten tournament follows two weekends later in Columbus, Ohio.\n-- Contact staff writer Colin Burns at coaburns@indiana.edu.