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88 IllustrateD volume 24, issue 4 f "It hurt knowing everything that he's already gone through,"the seventh-year coach said. "(It was like) 'What else can happen to this kid?' " The 133-pounder began his career at Purdue unlike most college freshmen, earning a starting spot on the roster and making it to the NCAA Tournament. He was both an academic and athletic All-American after finish- ing sixth there. "A lot of kids redshirt," Hinkel said. "We said, 'Hey, you're wrestling.' " Quiroga became the fifth freshman All-American in Purdue's history and only the third true freshman to earn the honor. He posted a team-best 124 takedowns, becoming the first freshman to top the 100-takedown mark in a season in Purdue's history. Looking back to his freshman year, Quiroga said that being named an academic All-American was just as re- warding as the athletic award. "Being named an All-American academically was huge for me but also athletically," he said. "(I would) rank the academic All-American status over the athletic one." Hinkel echoed much the same sentiment. "Seeing him wrestle in the NCAA semis and being in his corner; seeing this true freshman who wasn't even an Indiana state champ his senior year ... In addition to that, being an academic All-American as well (is very impressive)," Hinkel said. The following season, how- ever, Quiroga redshirted due to injuries and making the adjustment from 125 to 133. Sitting out a year was another hurdle for Quiroga to scale. And he responded well. In and in his second year wres- tling, he finished 22-8 overall and fifth at the 2011-12 Big Ten Tournament, thus qual- ifying for the NCAA tourna- ment. He led team with 97 takedowns and was named Purdue's Most Outstanding Wrestler for second time in his career. As Quiroga's career continued, so did the problems that he had to overcome. This season has been no different. Losing his first preseason wrestle-off to redshirt freshman Kyle Ayersman meant that Quiroga, a red- shirt senior, lost his starting job before the season even started. That is difficult to imagine for a two-time NCAA qualifier. "He lost his first two wrestle-offs and his first match," Hinkel said. "There's a guy who is 0-2 before he puts on the singlet." However, Quiroga's attitude and approach never changed. "His first match back he got beat, and he was getting beat by seven or eight points," Hinkel said. "He let the guys know it's about pride out there. It was good for the team to have to rally around that loss from somebody who they're used to seeing win matches." After the difficult start to his final season at Pur- due, Quiroga had relative success on the mat, posting a 13-5 record heading into the Big Ten Tournament, which begins on March 8. Quiroga is ranked No. 9 in the 133-pound weight class, according to the Coaches' Panel poll. Matthew Thomas On senior night, Quiroga made easy work of Illinois' Zane Richards — winning 19-6 — despite Richards being ranked two spots higher at 133 pounds.