NU wrestling decided for its young squad
Dana Marie Ahrens
Issue date: 11/13/07 Section: Sports
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When the Nebraska wrestling team opens its 2007-08 season at home on Friday, it will do so with only one senior on the roster.
Cornhusker senior Jon May, a Hutchinson, Minn., native, joined the Huskers in the fall of 2003. He returns this season from a knee injury that cut his junior season short with a 14-4 record. May said the number of younger wrestlers on the roster is a great thing for the program's future.
"It is kind of cool to think about next year," May said. "We are only losing one guy and we are going to be tough in that spot."
On Friday, May dualed Wyoming's Jason Still and escaped with a 7-3 decision. The heavyweight hopes his previous college experience will help him in his final season.
In 2006, May earned a bid to the NCAA Championships after a third-place finish at the Big 12 Conference Championships. He said making it that far was like a dream come true. Now that he has experience at the national meet, he's hoping he won't be as overwhelmed if he makes it back again.
"It helps having been there," May said. "The (NCAA) Championships are kind of like the Mecca of wrestling when you are a kid. Everyone wants to wrestle there since they knew what it was."
NU Coach Mark Manning said May has the ability to represent the Huskers well during his senior season. He added May brings a lot of leadership and confidence to the mat.
May is being shadowed this season by NU freshman heavyweight Tucker Lane, who hopes to take over for his senior teammate next season. Last year May was the Huskers' only heavyweight, with no backup to fill in when he was injured. May said it has been nice having someone pushing him to improve who is almost like a little brother.
"It is great competing with Jon day in and day out," Lane said. "He has got a lot of pride. I just try to learn from him to know what it takes to be successful here."
Manning said he can see May helping influence the freshman and helping to refine his skills. He is making Lane a better wrestler and not even realizing it, the coach said.
As for this season, May said he is just going to try to make this year his best yet.
"I will just take it one match at a time, not looking ahead of anybody and not looking behind anybody else," May said.
danaahrens@dailynebraskan.com
Cornhusker senior Jon May, a Hutchinson, Minn., native, joined the Huskers in the fall of 2003. He returns this season from a knee injury that cut his junior season short with a 14-4 record. May said the number of younger wrestlers on the roster is a great thing for the program's future.
"It is kind of cool to think about next year," May said. "We are only losing one guy and we are going to be tough in that spot."
On Friday, May dualed Wyoming's Jason Still and escaped with a 7-3 decision. The heavyweight hopes his previous college experience will help him in his final season.
In 2006, May earned a bid to the NCAA Championships after a third-place finish at the Big 12 Conference Championships. He said making it that far was like a dream come true. Now that he has experience at the national meet, he's hoping he won't be as overwhelmed if he makes it back again.
"It helps having been there," May said. "The (NCAA) Championships are kind of like the Mecca of wrestling when you are a kid. Everyone wants to wrestle there since they knew what it was."
NU Coach Mark Manning said May has the ability to represent the Huskers well during his senior season. He added May brings a lot of leadership and confidence to the mat.
May is being shadowed this season by NU freshman heavyweight Tucker Lane, who hopes to take over for his senior teammate next season. Last year May was the Huskers' only heavyweight, with no backup to fill in when he was injured. May said it has been nice having someone pushing him to improve who is almost like a little brother.
"It is great competing with Jon day in and day out," Lane said. "He has got a lot of pride. I just try to learn from him to know what it takes to be successful here."
Manning said he can see May helping influence the freshman and helping to refine his skills. He is making Lane a better wrestler and not even realizing it, the coach said.
As for this season, May said he is just going to try to make this year his best yet.
"I will just take it one match at a time, not looking ahead of anybody and not looking behind anybody else," May said.
danaahrens@dailynebraskan.com
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