University of Minnesota Athletics
Rivalry Renewed
12/31/2002 12:00:00 AM | Athletics
| Senior Ryan Lewis |
Currently, the Cowboys dominate this rivalry 13-6, a short number of meetings considering they first met in 1941. But in the last five meetings, the Gophers have dominated four times. Although the Cowboys are ranked No. 1 this year and have a commanding lead in the all-time record, the Gophers are determined to call this dual theirs.
"We're the defending national champions, and they're at the top of the rankings. This is good for us because we can only go up," head coach J Robinson said. "Gaining a spot is easier than holding on to what you have. We aren't picked to win, but that underdog status is just going to make us try harder."
Robinson said that the rivalry is based almost purely on Minnesota's new membership into the elite group once populated solely by Oklahoma State. From 1928 through 1942, the Cowboys only lost the NCAAs three times. In the 1950s and 1960s, they dominated again in what is considered the Oklahoma State golden age of wrestling. And Robinson would know-he was a wrestler there from 1966-67. The fact that Minnesota's most successful coach once used to represent the Cowboys only adds to this rivalry's fire.
"Anytime you go back to where you are from, you want to win," Robinson said. "I'm not saying that I have a vendetta against them because I wrestled there, but this is my team now and it is about pride."
This year, the rivalry is not simply on a team level but also has roots in heated personal rivalries, namely Ryan Lewis and Johnny Thompson at 133, Luke Becker and Shane Roller at 157, and Jacob Volkmann and Tyrone Lewis at 165.
| Junior Jacob Volkmann |
"It is an interesting deal because no one wants to talk about it. Thompson took the time-out and became the national champion," Robinson said. "If he hadn't, he wouldn't have won. He was tired, and that's it."
According to Lewis, there is an unwritten rule in wrestling that you just don't take time-outs. It's a blue-collar fight and the hard-nosed guy will win, he said. When Lewis first beat Thompson, he came back from a five-point deficit to win. Apparently, Lewis said, that left a bad taste is Thompson's mouth for him and began the rivalry. Lewis also noted the rivalry lies in the fundamental difference of wrestling styles between Oklahoma State and other perennial contenders.
"They are less aggressive but instead are sneaky. They aren't like Iowa when they stand toe to toe against us," Lewis said. "They've got an edge-of-the-mat type style, which is really different from ours. We just work hard."
Thompson is ranked no. 1 this year but Lewis is intent on claiming the national title that some argue is rightfully his. With the intensity that both wrestlers will most likely bring to the mat, there isn't room for friendly competition between these two.
"Thompson is one of those kids that there is a not a friendship between us. With other guys, we talk and are almost friends, but I've never said more than one or two words to him," Lewis said. "You can sense the tension. We really don't want to lose to each other."
Top-ranked Luke Becker and fifth-ranked Shane Roller also share a history of intense competition. At 4-2, Becker leads the rivalry and most recent meetings, defeating Roller at National Duals and 13-6 in a dual in Stillwater in 2001. However, in the earlier 2001 NCAAs, Roller downed Becker in the third place match, 12-10.
"Our competition is pretty intense. He is a tough wrestler, really dangerous and he has all these funky moves. If you don't watch out, he can easily put you on your back," Becker said.
Robinson said he feels that Jan. 3rd will be Lewis' day for many reasons.
| Head Coach J Robinson |
So what is Becker's game plan? Capitalize on Roller's weakness, his lack of endurance. Becker said he plans to score the first takedown, stay after Roller, let him "snake out" a takedown and get him weary.
Becker said he feels the rivalry at the team level just as much as on his own individual level. He said that success over the Cowboys this year will mean increased pressure and younger guys stepping up to meet their skilled opponents.
"They've got some talent and some really tough guys," Becker said. "We've got to come out there with confidence and push hard, because some of their guys won't be able to keep up."
Robinson also stressed the bad blood between Volkmann and Lewis, who are 1-1 all-time. He said Volkmann has improved defensively and that gives him the edge in this match.
"These two competitors are really different. One is talented, the other is hard-nosed," Robinson said. "Lewis will have to score early if he wants a chance against Jacob. Lewis should worry about getting tired, because when Jacob grabs you, he grabs you."
After struggling against Iowa in the November dual, the Gophers have been training at a different intensity, according to Ryan Lewis. He added that there is a team consensus that they have to prove something and they are up for it. All-American and Big Ten Champion Damion Hahn (184) will be returning from an injury that has sidelined him all season, and heavyweight Garrett Lowney, also a Big Ten Champ with All-America honors, is a possible go-ahead for Friday. With the extra strength provided by these solid athletes returning to the lineup, the Gophers will be as prepared for this dual as they can possibly be.
"We can't control what the all-time record but we can control how hard we wrestle," Lewis said. "We just want to fight and leave a strong impression. It's not going to be handed to us. But we're ready to take it."
Written by Athletics Media Relations Student Assistant Kimberly Jackson
| Senior Ryan Lewis |
Currently, the Cowboys dominate this rivalry 13-6, a short number of meetings considering they first met in 1941. But in the last five meetings, the Gophers have dominated four times. Although the Cowboys are ranked No. 1 this year and have a commanding lead in the all-time record, the Gophers are determined to call this dual theirs.
"We're the defending national champions, and they're at the top of the rankings. This is good for us because we can only go up," head coach J Robinson said. "Gaining a spot is easier than holding on to what you have. We aren't picked to win, but that underdog status is just going to make us try harder."
Robinson said that the rivalry is based almost purely on Minnesota's new membership into the elite group once populated solely by Oklahoma State. From 1928 through 1942, the Cowboys only lost the NCAAs three times. In the 1950s and 1960s, they dominated again in what is considered the Oklahoma State golden age of wrestling. And Robinson would know-he was a wrestler there from 1966-67. The fact that Minnesota's most successful coach once used to represent the Cowboys only adds to this rivalry's fire.
"Anytime you go back to where you are from, you want to win," Robinson said. "I'm not saying that I have a vendetta against them because I wrestled there, but this is my team now and it is about pride."
This year, the rivalry is not simply on a team level but also has roots in heated personal rivalries, namely Ryan Lewis and Johnny Thompson at 133, Luke Becker and Shane Roller at 157, and Jacob Volkmann and Tyrone Lewis at 165.
| Junior Jacob Volkmann |
"It is an interesting deal because no one wants to talk about it. Thompson took the time-out and became the national champion," Robinson said. "If he hadn't, he wouldn't have won. He was tired, and that's it."
According to Lewis, there is an unwritten rule in wrestling that you just don't take time-outs. It's a blue-collar fight and the hard-nosed guy will win, he said. When Lewis first beat Thompson, he came back from a five-point deficit to win. Apparently, Lewis said, that left a bad taste is Thompson's mouth for him and began the rivalry. Lewis also noted the rivalry lies in the fundamental difference of wrestling styles between Oklahoma State and other perennial contenders.
"They are less aggressive but instead are sneaky. They aren't like Iowa when they stand toe to toe against us," Lewis said. "They've got an edge-of-the-mat type style, which is really different from ours. We just work hard."
Thompson is ranked no. 1 this year but Lewis is intent on claiming the national title that some argue is rightfully his. With the intensity that both wrestlers will most likely bring to the mat, there isn't room for friendly competition between these two.
"Thompson is one of those kids that there is a not a friendship between us. With other guys, we talk and are almost friends, but I've never said more than one or two words to him," Lewis said. "You can sense the tension. We really don't want to lose to each other."
Top-ranked Luke Becker and fifth-ranked Shane Roller also share a history of intense competition. At 4-2, Becker leads the rivalry and most recent meetings, defeating Roller at National Duals and 13-6 in a dual in Stillwater in 2001. However, in the earlier 2001 NCAAs, Roller downed Becker in the third place match, 12-10.
"Our competition is pretty intense. He is a tough wrestler, really dangerous and he has all these funky moves. If you don't watch out, he can easily put you on your back," Becker said.
Robinson said he feels that Jan. 3rd will be Lewis' day for many reasons.
| Head Coach J Robinson |
So what is Becker's game plan? Capitalize on Roller's weakness, his lack of endurance. Becker said he plans to score the first takedown, stay after Roller, let him "snake out" a takedown and get him weary.
Becker said he feels the rivalry at the team level just as much as on his own individual level. He said that success over the Cowboys this year will mean increased pressure and younger guys stepping up to meet their skilled opponents.
"They've got some talent and some really tough guys," Becker said. "We've got to come out there with confidence and push hard, because some of their guys won't be able to keep up."
Robinson also stressed the bad blood between Volkmann and Lewis, who are 1-1 all-time. He said Volkmann has improved defensively and that gives him the edge in this match.
"These two competitors are really different. One is talented, the other is hard-nosed," Robinson said. "Lewis will have to score early if he wants a chance against Jacob. Lewis should worry about getting tired, because when Jacob grabs you, he grabs you."
After struggling against Iowa in the November dual, the Gophers have been training at a different intensity, according to Ryan Lewis. He added that there is a team consensus that they have to prove something and they are up for it. All-American and Big Ten Champion Damion Hahn (184) will be returning from an injury that has sidelined him all season, and heavyweight Garrett Lowney, also a Big Ten Champ with All-America honors, is a possible go-ahead for Friday. With the extra strength provided by these solid athletes returning to the lineup, the Gophers will be as prepared for this dual as they can possibly be.
"We can't control what the all-time record but we can control how hard we wrestle," Lewis said. "We just want to fight and leave a strong impression. It's not going to be handed to us. But we're ready to take it."
Written by Athletics Media Relations Student Assistant Kimberly Jackson
