NU's Rowe finds home in lineup
Maybe it’s just a coincidence, but since Mike Rowe made his season debut just four weeks ago, the Nebraska wrestling team has made history.
His win against Jake Strayer of Penn State on Jan. 12 helped the Huskers stun the then-No. 1 Nittany Lions in the National Duals.
In the next four weeks, NU scored impressive wins against Big 12 rivals Oklahoma State, Missouri and Oklahoma and shot up from ninth place in the national polls to second.
Rowe, meanwhile, has recorded victories against one ranked opponent and last year’s Big 12 runner-up in improving to 8-2 and stretching his winning streak to seven.
This week, he vaulted into the 141-pound rankings at No. 15, making the Huskers the only Division I team with a ranked starter in each of the 10 weight classes.
More than that, he has settled the lone question mark in NU’s starting lineup by taking control of a weight class that has seen four different wrestlers start in duals this season.
His rise and that of the Husker team may seem meteoric, but Rowe sees things differently.
“Yes and no. I kind of expected it of myself, but I expect a lot of things from myself, more than what others might,” Rowe said.
“It’s still the same atmosphere with the team because the coaches have done a good job of keeping us focused. Now (with a solid starting lineup), it’s not like it’s a mystery going into a match who’s going to be where.”
The stabilization of the starting lineup couldn’t have come at a better time as the Huskers head east for a pair of duals — today against Rider and Sunday at No. 16 Hofstra — before facing No. 7 Iowa State next weekend.
The Huskers aren’t likely to be looking ahead. They saw Hofstra’s 19-18 upset of the Cyclones in the National Duals.
“We’re all healthy right now and our kids have had a good week of practice,” coach Mark Manning said. “But we know we’re going to have to be at our best on Sunday (against Hofstra).
“They’re a huge bonus-point-type team and they’re going to have a big crowd there. They’ll be ready for us.”
Three of the Husker starters — Rowe, a four-time state champion from Huntington, Md.; and Sicklerville, N.J., natives Jordan Burroughs (149) and Vince Jones (184) — will also have the rare opportunity to wrestle within 170 miles of their hometowns. That’s something Manning believes should boost his team.
“I think anyone would like to wrestle in front of the people they grew up with,” Manning said. “It gives them a big spark, but they still have to go out and execute and perform.”
Reach Karl Vogel at 473-7432 or kvogel@journalstar.com.
His win against Jake Strayer of Penn State on Jan. 12 helped the Huskers stun the then-No. 1 Nittany Lions in the National Duals.
In the next four weeks, NU scored impressive wins against Big 12 rivals Oklahoma State, Missouri and Oklahoma and shot up from ninth place in the national polls to second.
Rowe, meanwhile, has recorded victories against one ranked opponent and last year’s Big 12 runner-up in improving to 8-2 and stretching his winning streak to seven.
This week, he vaulted into the 141-pound rankings at No. 15, making the Huskers the only Division I team with a ranked starter in each of the 10 weight classes.
More than that, he has settled the lone question mark in NU’s starting lineup by taking control of a weight class that has seen four different wrestlers start in duals this season.
His rise and that of the Husker team may seem meteoric, but Rowe sees things differently.
“Yes and no. I kind of expected it of myself, but I expect a lot of things from myself, more than what others might,” Rowe said.
“It’s still the same atmosphere with the team because the coaches have done a good job of keeping us focused. Now (with a solid starting lineup), it’s not like it’s a mystery going into a match who’s going to be where.”
The stabilization of the starting lineup couldn’t have come at a better time as the Huskers head east for a pair of duals — today against Rider and Sunday at No. 16 Hofstra — before facing No. 7 Iowa State next weekend.
The Huskers aren’t likely to be looking ahead. They saw Hofstra’s 19-18 upset of the Cyclones in the National Duals.
“We’re all healthy right now and our kids have had a good week of practice,” coach Mark Manning said. “But we know we’re going to have to be at our best on Sunday (against Hofstra).
“They’re a huge bonus-point-type team and they’re going to have a big crowd there. They’ll be ready for us.”
Three of the Husker starters — Rowe, a four-time state champion from Huntington, Md.; and Sicklerville, N.J., natives Jordan Burroughs (149) and Vince Jones (184) — will also have the rare opportunity to wrestle within 170 miles of their hometowns. That’s something Manning believes should boost his team.
“I think anyone would like to wrestle in front of the people they grew up with,” Manning said. “It gives them a big spark, but they still have to go out and execute and perform.”
Reach Karl Vogel at 473-7432 or kvogel@journalstar.com.
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