The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/246097
WRESTLING PROFILE "As a true freshman, you can't really expect anything. The only thing you can do is work as hard as you can in practice and let the chips fall where they may. You have to keep getting after it, and the rest will work itself out." Although Coon had big goals when he arrived at Michigan, it wasn't until the Cliff Keen Invitational, Dec. 6-7, in Las Vegas, the Wolverines' first real test of the year, that he gained the confidence to compete against the country's best opponents. In Las Vegas, he pinned his first two opponents and advanced to the final with a 3-1 quarterfinal win over No. 5 Nick Gwiadowski of North Carolina State and a 12-3 decision over No. 13 Adam Fager of Utah Valley in the semifinals. In the final, he took down Felix 7-5. "It was an eye-opener, to beat some of the top guys in the country and see that I'm not just going to be cannon fodder," Coon said. "All of a sudden, I'm competing with top-level guys. And the same goes for the Midlands. "It was very exciting. There were a lot of high fives. There was a lot of fun and enthusiasm. Seeing a freshman come through with close wins over really good wrestlers, it really fired the guys up." Michigan head coach Joe McFarland said he is not necessarily surprised by Coon's instant success at Michigan — but he is impressed by the way in which Coon does not back down to the more experienced wrestlers. "He looks the same to me every time he steps on the mat," McFarland said. "He has that hungry look in his eyes. He's ready to fight, and his approach to a meet is really good. He doesn't take a back seat to everyone. That's not an easy thing. We're trying to teach all our young guys that: you don't have to take a back seat to a guy, just because he's a couple years older than you. It's all in the mindset, and he does that." Michigan assistant coach Sean Bormet has worked closely with Coon to improve his technical skills, and the heavyweight admits that even he is surprised by the gains he has already made in that area. "One of the big things I have picked up is the top-bottom work," he said. "In high school, there is no riding time. People are naturally not going to ride as hard, so it's easier to get out. In college, you get that extra point for riding them. It's a lot harder to get out on bottom, and it's also necessary to ride them on top. I'm still really focusing on that." Coon will need all the technique he can muster to remain undefeated in the incredibly strong Big Ten. Nelson had previously lost this season to No. 4 Mike McMullan of Northwestern, the national runner-up last season, and the conference features the top four heavyweights and seven of the top 12 in the InterMat.com rankings. Win or lose, Coon will still be poised for some big things down the stretch. "I don't know a single person in this room or in the country that doesn't have that goal: to be a conference champion and a national champion," he said. "It seems a little more realistic now. I realize I am actually competing now. "When I first walked in here, I said, 'Yeah, that's a goal.' But I didn't know if that was reaching for the stars a little bit. It's more of a measurement than a dream now." — Andy Reid