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Wrestling off to strong start Purdue Churchard is off to a strong start in 2012, winning 14 of his first 17 matches at 157 pounds as Purdue has jumped out to a 7-2 record through mid-December in dual matches. With the winter holiday closely approaching, the wrestling team looks to refresh and reload coming off a strong start to the season. The Boilers opened with a 7-2 record in dual meets through mid-December to go along with several strong individual performances at open events. Purdue had six individuals earn podium finishes at the Northern Iowa Open, with Braden Atwood taking home the title in the 197-pound weight class. "This has been a great group so far," assistant coach Pete Rogers said. "Guys are stepping up every time out and it's nice to know that every match you have guys that are going to wrestle hard. "Even when guys lose, when they are wrestling like that, you can understand it. They have brought a great attitude and have been exciting to watch." Purdue boasts four individuals with a winning percentage at .800 or better, led by senior Ivan Lopouchanski's perfect 12-0 record at 149 pounds. Atwood (12-1), Tommy Churchard (14-3 at 157), and Pat Robinson (16-4 at 165) have helped round out a deep lineup for a highly successful Boiler team. "The success those guys are having has really set a high standard for our program," Rogers said. "Going into the winter break, our guys know what we expect from them." That success has bred competition within the program. "Everyone wants to be the guy on the team, someone who gets it done day-in and day-out," Rogers said. "The competition in our locker room has really picked up. Winning is becoming a habit and our younger guys see that." Purdue will close the 2012 calendar year at the Midlands Championship in Evanston, Ill., before returning in the New Year for conference play to begin. The Big Ten is again considered the top conference in the nation, with 10 of the conference's 12 teams ranked in the top 25, including five of the top six teams. The Boilers are currently ranked 21st and will face off with No. 5 Iowa and No. 6 Illinois in the first two weekends of 2013. "Wrestling in the Big Ten is a huge part of our team being successful," Churchard said. "We know that by the end of the season we are battle tested and can perform at the highest level when the postseason comes around." Even with stiff competition awaiting Purdue throughout the conference schedule, the Boilers have lofty expectations for the remainder of the season. "We are looking to dominate all aspects of every match we are in," Churchard said. "We are going to compete every match and when we are in dual matches, there is never a thought of losing. We know our schedule is going to provide a good test. "Our team is right on track and we have proved that so far. But we aren't totally complacent. We are constantly looking to improve and find that next level." — Brandan Alford "Having him as someone to lean on has been pivotal for me," Churchard said. "My dad has always been someone that is in my corner. He's my biggest mentor and ally both on the mat and off. "He's an excellent leader and a great example for me to follow." As the nonconference portion of Purdue's schedule draws to a close, Churchard appears to have found that consistency, posting a 14-3 record on the season at 157 pounds. En route to that impressive mark, Churchard has led Purdue in technical falls, takedowns, reversals and back points while being second on the team in wins, major decisions, and points. "We want nothing less than a national title," Churchard said. "We have had to Even as Churchard closes in on matching his previous career highs for wins fight to get out of the basement and now we want to get to the top. That has been the (20) and takedowns in a season near the halfway point of this season, his successes goal and it hasn't changed." j haven't gone unnoticed. Ranking services InterMat and Amateur Wrestling News have had Churchard ranked in the top 20 in the 157-pound A Fee-Based Investment Advisor weight classes at different points this season. located in the Purdue Research Park Churchard's impact to the Purdue program hasn't been limited to his successes on the mat, though. Playing a sport that is both individual and team-oriented can sometimes blur the importance of team chemistry. During his five years as Boiler, Churchard has helped keep that clear. "Tommy is a guy that just does the right thing," Rogers said. "He's a very likeable guy and he's the kind of guy that sticks around after practice to get extra work. He's a really dedicated wrestler. Our other guys see that and see the success he is having and they are able to connect the dots." For Churchard, leadership is not defined by seniority within a program, but rather work ethic. The simple fact of being a senior doesn't change his 25+ Years of Investment Management Experience role on the team in his mind. 1241 Cumberland Ave, Suite B "I've taken it the same as I have every other year I have been at PurWest Lafayette, IN 47906 due," Churchard said. "I want this team to be something that I am proud Phone: 765-497-0197 of. It's every one's responsibility to encourage one another; that doesn't www.bankerinvestmentgroup.com change when you become a senior." It has been an eventful college career but even as he has adjusted to Bill Banker, President constant change as an individual wrestler, his sights are set on the same Purdue University Alumni 85' Purdue Baseball Alumni 81'-85' goal as the day he came to Purdue. GBIprint.com GoldandBlack.com Gold & Black IllustrateD • volume 23, issue 3 • 59