from Kettering, Ohio, suggested what does matter is
staying in the moment, the here and now; independent of everything else.
"A fourth title would mean a lot in retrospect to
guys who have been here," Borland said. "But I don't
know if it's the 4-peat as much as it's, 'Let's win this
one."'
This was not only in reference but in deference to
the mix of young and old personnel alike, which includes
the contributing freshmen. In
addition, there's the strong influence of the new coaches.
"This 2013 team," Borland
said, "is its own entity."
Now that the players can
watch film on their own iPads,
and they don't have to make as
many trips to the eighth-floor
coaches offices, Borland hasn't visited the "Wow
Room" as often.
But when he's there, and he sees the championship trophies, he said, "It's a nice reminder of success. That's the ultimate goal: to be Big Ten champions each year. That's what you're chasing."
Wozniak said the trophies are symbols for "all the
hard work and effort and the sweat and the blood"
that the players have put into winning three consecutive Big Ten titles.
They mean the very same things to Jared Abbrederis, a former walk-on like Hemer, and a fifth-year
senior from Wautoma, Wis. The trophies speak to
the dedication that it takes to be successful, he said.
"Every trophy kind of tells a
story," Abbrederis added. "You
remember the teams and the
relationships that you had
with those players on each of
those teams."
You also remember what it
takes to be a Big Ten champion.
"Consistency," Hemer said.
"It takes a lot of resiliency,"
Borland said.
"It comes back to taking care of the little details,"
Wozniak said.
Each expanded on those themes.
"It takes a team to be consistent in their approach
and handling of adversity and preparation," Hemer
DAVID STLUKA
"THIS SENIOR CLASS IS FOCUSED
ON LEAVING OUR OWN LEGACY –
LEAVING OUR OWN MARK," SAID
HEMER, "AND WE HOPE THAT'S
GOING TO BE THE END RESULT
OF THIS SEASON."
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