Senior day helps Hoosiers rebound

The No. 18 IU wrestling team (12-4, 3-3) experienced a resurgence just in time for senior day. \nSenior Josh Buuck is the only Hoosier who won't return to next year's squad, and he competed in his last two duals at home Friday and Sunday in University Gym.\nBuuck scored a win Friday night against No. 21 Michigan, propelling IU to a 21-15 win and helping snap a four-meet losing streak that began when the Hoosiers visited Illinois on Jan.21. \nThey also won 28-11 against No. 10 Northwestern to send Buuck out with two consecutive home wins. \nBuuck, who redshirted his freshman year, has been a constant on a team that has had many changing faces. He will be finishing his fifth year with the wrestling program. IU coach Duane Goldman said he will miss his lone senior.\n"It's always hard to let seniors go after spending four or five years with them, but it's always nice to be able to honor seniors," Goldman said.\nThe senior has seen his fair share of success. He has compiled a 9-5 record in his senior season while competing as an undersized heavyweight. Sunday was no different as 184-pound heavyweight Buuck competed against 267-pound Dustin Fox of Northwestern, who is ranked No. 4 in the nation.\nBuuck lost 3-2 after a late score for Fox, but Buuck said he doesn't plan on being down over the outcome.\n"It means everything to be a Hoosier and to get the support I did tonight, and I plan on beating him when it really counts at Big Tens and Nationals," Buuck said.\nBuuck's teammates won seven of nine matches in convincing fashion against Northwestern. Sophomore Scott Kelly lost a close match to No. 1 Ryan Lang of Northwestern in the 141-pound division and Marc Bennett was pinned by No. 1 Jake Herbert. Buuck said he was very impressed with his team's performance.\n"As a lone senior I try to be a role model for these guys and it was great to see them put out such a tremendous effort and I'm so proud of the way they competed," Buuck said.\nSeventh-ranked junior Brandon Becker was extremely aggressive in his 18-8 win against Dominic Marella in the 157-pound match, and helped to widen the Hoosier lead to 13-3.\nBut the surprise of the night came in freshman Trevor Perry, who pinned No. 15 Nick Hayes 22 seconds into his match to earn his fourth pin of the season. This pivotal moment in the dual sealed the win against Northwestern with two matches left to go. Perry said it was nice to send Buuck out with a win.\n"I think this will be a memory that Buuck remembers for rest of his life and it was a wonderful win for him," he said.