The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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OLYMPIC SPORTS UPDATE "I feel especially after we've come back from the winter break, our team has finally come into its own," U-M head wrestling coach Joe McFarland said. "I think the coaching staff right now is pleased with where we're at. We've got a lot of work ahead of us, but we feel like we're on the right track." One of the most recent wins for Michigan — 21-11 over OSU — was also perhaps its most impressive. The convincing triumph, the coach said, is a sign of the team's progression. "The Ohio State victory gave us a good gauge to where we're at as a team," McFarland said. "I really felt for the first time everybody has the right mindset, everyone's competing hard." The 2015-16 squad came into the season with high expectations, bolstered by the return of five All- Americans from last year 's team: juniors Adam Coon (heavyweight) and Brian Murphy (157 pounds), se- niors Rossi Bruno (133 pounds) and Connor Youtsey (125 pounds), and fifth-year senior Max Huntley (197 pounds). Even with the large amount of ex- perienced and accomplished lead- ership, Coon has become a model for success, posting an 8-0 mark as a heavyweight and ranking as the nation's No. 4 wrestler within the weight class according to InterMat. However, it's not just his strong per- formances on the mat that garner praise. "Coon is very important to this program just because of the way he approaches everything," McFarland said. "He's really focused. He pours himself into his wrestling, he pours himself into his academics — he's just a great role model for the rest of the guys on the team." In addition to Coon, multiple Wol- verines have had fantastic starts to the season. Junior Domenic Abou- nader, ranked No. 10 nationally in the 184-pound weight class, was a perfect 7-0 in dual matches and 12-1 overall. Huntley, ranked No. 6 at 197 pounds, was 8-0 in duals with four pins and 12-2 overall. Sophomore Alec Pantaleo (No. 8 nationally) has been similarly im- pressive from the 149-pound weight class, surging to an early 7-1 dual- meet record and 14-2 overall. Heading down the homestretch, the Wolverines will have to con- tend with a strong as ever Big Ten. The conference featured four teams ranked in the top 10 as of Jan. 18 — No. 1 Penn State, No. 2 Iowa, No. 7 Nebraska and No. 10 U-M. "We're used to that," McFarland said of the league's strength. "For years and years now, the Big Ten has been the premier conference and it's no different this year. "Things continue to stay strong in the Big Ten — programs are con- stantly fighting to get better. We're used to that strength of schedule; you just have to take it one week at a time." With the grind of the Big Ten sea- son looming, the team keeps its goals firmly planted in mind. And they aren't small.