Huskers, May gear up for final matches of season
Dave Houfek
Issue date: 2/8/08 Section: Sports
When the mats are rolled out again in August, Nebraska freshman Tucker Lane will have a hole to fill as the heavyweight starter for the Cornhuskers.
Until that time comes, those shoes to be filled will probably grow with every remaining match of the 2007-2008 season as Jon May extends his legacy as an NU heavyweight.
The fifth-year senior knows exactly what is at stake in his final months as a Husker, said NU Coach Mark Manning.
"He's going to play a huge part in how our team does … there's a lot of points out there to be had by a team, and we've got a guy that can do that," Manning said. "He's an intricate part of how we do (in postseason play)."
May said the keys to his success stem from overcoming adversity one day at a time, keeping a good attitude and never letting personal victories go to his head.
"It's hard going to practice every single day," May said. "The sport of wrestling itself helps you learn how to battle every day."
Manning said one of the greatest things in watching May over the years has been seeing him mature as a wrestler and a person. Manning said that wrestling is preparation for life, and that May has done well fighting through the tough times and the injuries to get to the level he is at now.
But May has done more than leave an impression on his coaches.
As May prepares for his final run at both the Big 12 Conference and national titles, he is writing more than just his own story. He is leaving a bit of himself in the work ethic and maturity of his successor every day in practice.
As Nebraska's only other heavyweight, Lane said he attributes much of his development to the work May has put into preparing him both mentally and physically. For Lane, May is more than just a teammate. He is a coach who can relate and communicate on a different level.
Lane said he plans to take the starting role next year in stride and said he wants to make an immediate impact using the lessons he has learn from May.
Watching one of NU's most successful seasons has made Lane confident in what he will experience in the coming years.
"I think Coach Manning has a goal," Lane said. "He keeps getting the right kind of guys, people that want to follow his way of thinking that we should be a consistent team for years to come."
Lane said he thinks about being an all-American and a national champion every day, and if he doesn't focus on those expectations on a day-to-day basis, then the success he fights for will not follow.
Right now though, all the focus for Lane is on May and what he can do with the final surge of his career.
"Everything he's gone through this year I've gone through with him," Lane said. "When I see Jon lose a close one, I feel it, and when I see Jon pull off a big win like he did last week against Missouri, I'm the happiest guy in the whole gym."
May, the lone senior on the team, will get a chance to continue his success Sunday as Nebraska celebrates Senior Day against No. 18 Oklahoma in what will be May's final bout in the NU Coliseum.
"He's a really mature young man," Manning said, "and we want him to go out with a great taste in his mouth."
In a weight class that Manning said is nationally competitive, the coached added that he believes May should be able to contend for the national title in his senior year.
"Whether Jon May is a national champion or second or fourth or eighth, it's going to be huge for our team," Manning said. "Jon knows that. He's been through the battles, and he's ready to leave his mark on our program."
davehoufek@dailynebraskan.com
Until that time comes, those shoes to be filled will probably grow with every remaining match of the 2007-2008 season as Jon May extends his legacy as an NU heavyweight.
The fifth-year senior knows exactly what is at stake in his final months as a Husker, said NU Coach Mark Manning.
"He's going to play a huge part in how our team does … there's a lot of points out there to be had by a team, and we've got a guy that can do that," Manning said. "He's an intricate part of how we do (in postseason play)."
May said the keys to his success stem from overcoming adversity one day at a time, keeping a good attitude and never letting personal victories go to his head.
"It's hard going to practice every single day," May said. "The sport of wrestling itself helps you learn how to battle every day."
Manning said one of the greatest things in watching May over the years has been seeing him mature as a wrestler and a person. Manning said that wrestling is preparation for life, and that May has done well fighting through the tough times and the injuries to get to the level he is at now.
But May has done more than leave an impression on his coaches.
As May prepares for his final run at both the Big 12 Conference and national titles, he is writing more than just his own story. He is leaving a bit of himself in the work ethic and maturity of his successor every day in practice.
As Nebraska's only other heavyweight, Lane said he attributes much of his development to the work May has put into preparing him both mentally and physically. For Lane, May is more than just a teammate. He is a coach who can relate and communicate on a different level.
Lane said he plans to take the starting role next year in stride and said he wants to make an immediate impact using the lessons he has learn from May.
Watching one of NU's most successful seasons has made Lane confident in what he will experience in the coming years.
"I think Coach Manning has a goal," Lane said. "He keeps getting the right kind of guys, people that want to follow his way of thinking that we should be a consistent team for years to come."
Lane said he thinks about being an all-American and a national champion every day, and if he doesn't focus on those expectations on a day-to-day basis, then the success he fights for will not follow.
Right now though, all the focus for Lane is on May and what he can do with the final surge of his career.
"Everything he's gone through this year I've gone through with him," Lane said. "When I see Jon lose a close one, I feel it, and when I see Jon pull off a big win like he did last week against Missouri, I'm the happiest guy in the whole gym."
May, the lone senior on the team, will get a chance to continue his success Sunday as Nebraska celebrates Senior Day against No. 18 Oklahoma in what will be May's final bout in the NU Coliseum.
"He's a really mature young man," Manning said, "and we want him to go out with a great taste in his mouth."
In a weight class that Manning said is nationally competitive, the coached added that he believes May should be able to contend for the national title in his senior year.
"Whether Jon May is a national champion or second or fourth or eighth, it's going to be huge for our team," Manning said. "Jon knows that. He's been through the battles, and he's ready to leave his mark on our program."
davehoufek@dailynebraskan.com
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