NU wrestlers build momentum for Michigan State, Wisconsin meets

Believing is everything.

As the Nebraska wrestling team's season draws to a pinnacle, the Huskers are trying to accumulate as much confidence as they can. So far this year, NU has given itself plenty of reason to believe. Entering trips to Michigan State today and Wisconsin on Sunday, Nebraska has a record of 11-1 and a two-match winning streak following the one loss.

"I think it's very important to keep the momentum going. Everybody's feeling good, we're winning," NU junior Tyler Koehn said. "That's a lot of confidence."

Perhaps gaining that self-assuredness is never more important than right now with the conclusion of the conference season looming and the campaign continuing to lengthen.

"I think January's a tough month for wrestling, because there's a lot of tough matches and it starts being a long year," NU coach Mark Manning said. "The end of the year's right around the corner, so it's good to build momentum."

On paper, neither Michigan State nor Wisconsin seems like a threat to Nebraska's momentum, but with No. 2 Penn State and No. 3 Minnesota next on the schedule, Manning said it is crucial to concentrate on the present.

"This team really doesn't get too far in front of themselves. They're really just focused on, ‘Well, we've got to hop on a plane on Thursday, get our weight down, get ready to go on Friday night,'" he said.

Between NU's two opponents on the road this weekend, the Huskers will face five ranked individuals. Michigan State has top-20 wrestlers at 157 pounds and 174 pounds — where Koehn will look to earn his 16th victory of the season — as well as in the heavyweight division. The Badgers are ranked nationally at 149 pounds and 165 pounds. But the Huskers have faced their fair share of tough competition this season, and Manning said his team should only control the things it can control.

"You've got to really stay mentally focused on what you need to do and not so much on them," Manning said. "For the most part, our guys do a pretty good job of that."

He added that he has tried to get his wrestlers to forget about the past and the future, and sometimes that involves reminding the younger athletes about the task at hand.

"There's a learning curve and I don't think anyone has mastered the mind," Manning said. "All athletes need that."

Consistency is also important. Koehn noted that there hasn't been a difference between preparing for the Spartans and the Badgers and the ranked opponents they have battled.

"Same pace, same everything," Koehn said.

Manning added that there is no reason for practice to be different.

"It shouldn't be and hopefully it's not because we're going to go on the road and they've got some tough guys," he said. "It's not going to be easy. If we're wrestling up to our capabilities, we'll be okay."

To Manning, there is no pressure on the Huskers to keep the winning streak alive. He only wants to see what his team can accomplish against Michigan State and Wisconsin.

"We've got 20 matches and I want to go undefeated. I want those guys to notch two victories each," Manning said.

However, the Nebraska coach also said that being able to perform well outweighs earning a win in his mind. Both would go a long way toward gaining momentum.

And heading into the home stretch of the season, momentum is key.

"Believing is everything," Manning said. "It's the inner-confidence that you're going to be successful, and any time you can build that, it's always good. It's what we try to do every day."

zachtegler@dailynebraskan.com