No. 17 IU sweeps Hoosier Quad

Going into its first home meet since Thanksgiving weekend, the IU men’s wrestling team was hungry. And much like they did during the Nov. 24 Hoosier Duals, the Hoosiers feasted on the inferior competition. \n“We did a good job today,” IU assistant coach Mike Mena said. “We came out and took care of business and did what we needed to do. It’s as simple as that.”\nThe Hoosiers won convincingly over Gardner-Webb, Air Force and the University of Indianapolis in their first meet of the season at the University Gymnasium. IU began the Hoosier Quad with a 46-0 besting of Gardner-Webb. Following that match, the Hoosiers went on to defeat Air Force, 32-3.\nAgainst Gardner-Webb, newly acquired heavyweight John Sandberg picked up his first victory of the season, pinning opponent Evan Rhodes in 2:40. Sandberg continued to excel against Air Force in the second match, posting a blistering pin against Air Force’s Anthony Stegeman in 1:07.\nSandberg, who spent the fall playing offensive line on the IU football team, brought the University Gymnasuim crowd to its feet during his pins.\n“It was nice to finally get that first win,” Sandberg said. “I just did what the coaches had been teaching me and it worked out well.”\nIU coach Duane Goldman said Sandberg did a “great job” this weekend after the two worked to improve his body position.\n“He is working really hard at it,” Goldman said.\nIn the third match on Saturday, IU defeated Indianapolis by a score of 32-9. One of that match’s highlights came in the 174-pound weight class between IU’s Trevor Perry and Indianapolis’ Kevin Flinn. During the match, Perry attempted to stand after a stoppage. Flinn then made contact with him, inciting Perry to intensify his play.\n“I was shooting him out of bounds and he was complaining to the ref,” Perry said. “While I was down he kneed me ... and kicked me in the face. I got a little irritated and upset and I was hoping for a pin on the next reset.”\nPerry ended up winning the match 7-5 and inflicting pain on his counterpart. On the next reset, Perry slammed Flinn, injuring his shoulder and leaving the Indianapolis wrestler on the mat.\n“Sometimes I have to keep those emotions in,” Perry said. “It messes with my style.”\nAngel Escobedo continued to impress in the 125-pound weight class. He picked up three pins Saturday, and none of the matches went past the first period. Escobedo currently ranks No. 2 in the country, according to intermatwrestle.com.\n“I thought I wrestled pretty well out there,” Escobedo said. “I wanted to go out there and get three pins and I did it.”\nThe Hoosiers rank No. 17 in the nation, according to intermatwrestle.com, and will open up their conference season Friday at the University Gymnasium against No. 13 Wisconsin.