Big Ten Lineup Look: Indiana Looking to Make the Climb

Embrace the climb. That’s the mentality for this year’s team according to head coach Angel Escobedo. The Hoosiers have some strong leadership returning and some promising new freshman that Coach Escobedo says he’s waiting to emerge.
 
Potential Lineup
125: Jacob Moran
133: Angelo Rini or Logan Frazier
141: Henry Porter or Joey Butler
149: Anthony Bahl or Aiden Torres
157: Bryce Lowery
165: Tyler Lillard or Derek Gilcher
174: Roman Rogotzke
184: DJ Washington
197: Gabe Sollars
285: Jacob Bullock
 
Listen to Indiana Head Coach Angel Escobedo discuss this year’s team:

Note: This interview took place before their team wrestle-offs on Oct. 25.
 
Biggest Duals
12/6/24 - vs Illinois
1/10/25 - vs Rutgers
1/26/25 - at Michigan
2/9/25 - vs Ohio State 
2/16/25 - at Nebraska
 
Key Losses
133: Cayden Rooks – 2x NCAA qualifier
141: Dan Fongaro – 2024 NCAA qualifier
149: Graham Rooks – 4x NCAA qualifier
157: Brayton Lee – 2021 All-American, multiple time NCAA qualifier
285: Nick Willham – 2024 NCAA qualifier
 
Summary: A lot of experience has left the Hoosier lineup from last season, with Graham Rooks being the vet whose shoes will be tough to fill. He may not have made his way onto the podium, but he made four National tournament appearances during his career. Along with Graham Rooks the contingent of NCAA qualifiers Cayden Rooks, Dan Fongaro, Brayton Lee, who was only in the Indiana lineup for one year as a transfer from Minnesota and Nick Willham, will also be missed as well. But some strong newcomers are poised to replace them.
 
New additions to the lineup
133: Angelo Rini or Logan Frazier
141: Henry Porter or Joey Butler
149: Anthony Bahl or Aiden Torres
157: Bryce Lowery
197: Gabe Sollars
 
Summary: Specifically, we are looking at that spot at 149. During my conversation with Coach Escobedo, he said that he was waiting for one of his young freshmen to step up and take the spot. Well, that was before they had their wrestle-offs and as off last Friday (Oct. 25) it looks like Anthony Bahl stepped up in a big way with an 11-3 major decision over Aiden Torres. There will certainly be more to prove, but with that result it looks like Bahl’s spot. Additionally, Angelo Rini, a transfer from Columbia, defeated Virginia Tech transfer Logan Frazier, 4-2 at 133 to claim the spot as well. Other notable results include Henry Porter’s 4-1 sudden victory win over Joey Butler at 141 and Bryce Lowery won his match too.
 
Key Returners
125: Jacob Moran
165: Tyler Lillard or Derek Gilcher
174: Roman Rogotzke
184: DJ Washington
285: Jacob Bullock
 
Summary: A solid cast returns this year. Some returners are back after a redshirt year like Jacob Moran and Jacob Bullock, and Derek Gilcher is back after taking a medical redshirt due to injury last year. Other key returners include Tyler Lillard, who defeated Gilcher in the wrestle-off, DJ Washington,a multiple-time NCAA qualifier, and Roman Rogotzke, who lost his wrestle-off to Nick South, 2-1.