IU to compete at MSU

After a stellar performance at the Michigan State Open last Sunday -- in which 11 team members placed, including a first-place finish from junior Marc Bennett (184 pounds) -- IU heads into its second meet of the season in Columbia, Mo. at the Missouri Open Sunday.\nThe Hoosiers will compete alongside nearly 600 wrestlers from more than 20 schools. Programs that will be attending include Missouri, Illinois, Michigan State and Ohio State.\nThe Hoosiers entered this season as the No. 13-ranked team in the nation, according to TheWrestlingMall.com. After returning six starters from last season, the Hoosiers have some experience on their side, but they will have to make up for the absence of two-time NCAA champion Joe Dubuque, while adding 11 true freshmen to this year's squad. Coach Duane Goldman said they have talent but will have to overcome some early obstacles. \n"Getting Angel Escobedo will fill in for Dubuque," Goldman said. "We have a difficult schedule early in the season, so we'll have to speed up the learning curve and throw some of these younger guys into the fire." \nReturning starter and two-time All-American Brandon Becker will be one of the leaders on this relatively young team. He said he plans to mentor some of his talented freshman teammates. \n"Our young guys are really talented, and they're winners," Becker said. "I just plan to show them some tricks and lead them in the right direction." Becker said he wants to compete for a national championship through hard work and preparation. \nBennett was a solid starter on last year's team but stunned many patrons at the MSU open last week when he grabbed first place in the 184-pound slot. After building this momentum, Bennett said he will use his success as fuel for the rest of the season. \n"A lot is different now that I'm not cutting weight," said Bennett, who recently went up a weight class from 174 pounds. "I plan to be a lot more aggressive this year."\nAnother experienced member of the team is junior Max Dean, who made his second consecutive trip to the NCAA championship last year, after a fifth-place finish in the Big Tens. Dean is a team captain, along with teammate Becker, and said he appreciates his new title. \n"A lot more responsibility comes with being a captain; I'm honored but think that I've earned it," Dean said. "In the MSU Open a lot of experienced members won't compete, while younger members gain experience that they can apply to the team's success. \n"We're still trying to get unity among our team members while we get to know the freshmen," Dean said. "We have some hard work ahead of us, but I'm excited about this upcoming season"