Nick Helten
Published: November 20, 2008

DUBUQUE- “You probably realistically aren’t going to get this to happen this smoothly, ok, lets go!” wrestling coach Ricky Casarez told his team at an early season practice.

Words of wisdom in the wrestling world, and something these Duhawks know well. Coming off a rare losing season, they’re ready to turn things around.

“We want to get back on trap, be up to par, do as good as we can and be right there in dual meets,” said an optimistic, and national ranked Erik Hanson.

The track their looking for is a winning one; one Loras wrestlers have grown accustomed to. So what are these guys doing to make that a reality? Senior Tom Drosopoulos thinks it starts with getting back to basics.

“Just concentrate on technique and conditioning and all of those will come together” he claimed.

But the wrestlers also know many of their competitors are thinking the same thing this time of year. The IIAC is once again the top conference in the nation, but the Duhawks aren’t ready to shy away.

“The conference is tough, but we’re right up there, though. We’re tough too.” said Hanson.

Come December fans will get to see if all those hours of sweating in the wrestling room paid off as the conference season gets underway. Loras opens their dual season against Elmhurst November 25.

Nick Helten can be reached at Nick.Helten@loras.edu