Journey begins for Cooper

As postseason tournaments get under way, some teams and players will not qualify for the next level of competition. The long hours put into practicing, weight lifting and going that extra mile eventually have to end. But for senior Coyte Cooper, the journey to become a wrestling national champion in his last attempt has only just begun.\nCooper's third-place finish at last weekend's Big Ten Championships earned him his fourth-straight NCAA Tournament appearance in the 141-pound division. Last year, he fell one match short of finishing in the top eight, which would have garnered him an All-American spot. Cooper said he hopes things are different this year.\n"I think if I can move my feet and just concentrate on my wrestler, I'll have a pretty good time there," Cooper said. "I need to keep my adrenaline going good and stay healthy."\nCooper's year to this point has impressed coaches and opponents alike. A 37-3 record includes first-place showings in both the Missouri Open and the Northern Iowa Open, both highly-competitive events. His first loss came 24 matches into the season, but the senior rebounded nicely to go 6-1 in Big Ten play. \nCooper also has notched 119 career wins, including 72-13 in dual meet action. IU coach Duane Goldman said he knows what a valuable part Cooper played on the team.\n"He's put all his efforts into achieving his goals," Goldman said. "He's a great student in the classroom and of the sport. We hope he becomes an All-American and places as high as he can. Regardless, he's left everything out there. Coyte has no regrets."\nThe senior is in his last go around to win the ultimate goal for a collegiate wrestler: an individual national title. After five years of putting in grueling work, he said it didn't hit him until recently that this was the last hurrah.\n"You don't really realize it until the last couple of weeks," Cooper said. "There's a little bit of disappointment, but there's quite a bit of excitement too." \nCooper can share his excitement with his younger brother Matt, who is also a member of the wrestling team. Matt, a sophomore, has seen extensive action in both his years at IU, Cotye said. The two brothers, who hail from Anacortes, Wash., are there for one another when needed.\n"It's like having a great practice partner and a best friend in the room all the time," the older Cooper said. "When I was at the Big Ten's last weekend and lost my first match, he's the main guy that encouraged me and told me to relax."\nCoyte must have gotten great advice. After his defeat in the opening match, he reeled off three consecutive wins to finish third. Matt said he knows what his brother means to the team and is optimistic about his chances. \n"He's been a leader the past few years, and he's helped this team along," Matt said. "As long as he's wrestling well, he can beat anyone in the country."\nCoyte will not be going far away after the season is done. Next year, he will continue to help the team as a volunteer assistant coach. But before that comes along, he said he would like to accomplish one major goal.\n"I would like to win the national title in front of my coaches, teammates and family," Coyte said. "I really want to do well in my last time, and it's getting pretty exciting."\n-- Contact staff writer Colin Burns at coaburns@indiana.edu.