58 // VARSITY March 20, 2014
INSIDE
WRESTLING
Badgers bring high hopes
to NCAA championships
Eight will represent Badgers in Oklahoma City
BY ANNA POULTER-HENDRICKSON @BADGERWRESTLING
I
t is the time of year Wiscon-
sin has been working to-
ward all season: March. The
Badgers concluded a success-
ful Big Ten Championships on
March 9 and now the focus
turns toward the final act of
the season, the 2014 NCAA
Championships.
The Badgers will send eight
athletes, out of 10 weight
classes, to Oklahoma City to
compete for the ultimate prize,
an NCAA title.
"Some people might think I
am crazy, but with eight guys
going, I think we have a chance
to put all eight guys on the
stand," UW head coach Barry
Davis said. "Nobody thought
we would have the year we
had. Some good things are go-
ing on here."
Good things are happen-
ing at Wisconsin. This year the Badgers
earned five Big Ten dual-meet wins, ty-
ing with the most league victories in Da-
vis' tenure as head coach.
Wisconsin has pulled itself up from a
disappointing 2011-12 season and made
strides back to the top of the Big Ten.
The Badgers have never earned more
than five All-America honors in a season
and twice, in 2010 and 2011, four ath-
letes coached by Davis earned the honor.
With eight guys looking to make the
podium, UW has a shot at history and
this year's squad has a chance to be the
team that put the Badgers back on top.
GRAFF GOING FOR FOURTH HONOR
● Senior Tyler Graff looks to become
the fourth four-time All-American in
program history when he makes his
fourth trip to the NCAA champion-
ships this week. Graff finished fifth
in 2010 and 2011 while recording a
third-place finish at last year's cham-
pionships, all at 133 lbs.
JORDAN FAMILY RULES
● Earning All-America honors must be
a Jordan family rule and this season,
freshman Isaac Jordan has the chance
to add to the Jordan family total. Be-
tween Jim, Jeff and Ben, the Jordan
family already boasts six All-America
awards.
SCHEDULE (12-6, 5-3)
COMING UP
NCAA Championships - Oklahoma City
Thursday Session 1 11 a.m.
Session 2 6 p.m.
Friday Session 3 10 a.m.
Session 4 7 p.m.
Saturday Session 5 10 a.m.
Championship 7 p.m.
