Daniel DennisDennis is expected to challenge Slaton for the starting spot in the Hawkeye lineup at 133 pounds this season. RevWrestling.com recently talked to Dennis about the upcoming season, whether he and Slaton battle in practice, whether he would ever consider transferring if he is not in the lineup, whether he would consider moving up to 141 pounds, and much more.
You had an outstanding high school career, but never won a state title in Illinois. What drew you to the Iowa program coming out of high school?
Dennis: Coming out of high school, I wasn't recruited much by too many Division I schools. The past accomplishments of the program drew me to Iowa. It was always a popular program. It really would have been a dream to get into it. But it wasn't realistic at the time. I got contacted by (Tim) Hartung and (Troy) Steiner. I set up a couple meetings with them and talked to them over the phone. They were out at Senior Nationals in Ohio … and I kind of caught their eye out there. So that's kind of how I ended up at Iowa.
You stepped into the lineup as a true freshman for the Hawkeyes in 2005-06. What was that season like for you?
Dennis: It was hard. It didn't go the way I wanted to at all. My performance wasn't where it should have been. It was hard for me to transition into college wrestling coming straight out of high school. It was a little bit hard for me to adapt … and I didn't do a very good job of it. It was a rough first year. I kind of had to get things under control. But I feel like I've made a lot of improvements since then.
Last season, you suffered a broken jaw in November and missed most of the season. How frustrating was it sitting out and not being able to contribute?
Daniel Dennis posted a 20-18 record as a true freshman at 133 pounds. Here he is wrestling two-time NCAA runner-up Chris Fleeger of PurdueIn April, you won the University Nationals in a weight class that included mulitple NCAA All-Americans. Your performance surprised a lot of wrestling fans across the country. Did you surprise even yourself with your performance?
Dennis: No, I wasn't surprised by my performance. I wrestled well in that tournament. I don't think it was a surprise to me. I was expecting it to be two Iowa guys in the finals. Alex (Tsirtsis) and I were on opposite sides. It didn't turn out that way. I expected to win every time I stepped out on the mat. I didn't think I was going to lose to anyone in any of the matches that I was in. I did expect to win all of them. It was a stepping stone to where I want to be at the end of this season … and where I want to be at the end of next season. I wasn't celebrating too much after it. It wasn't the national title I wanted to win by any means. It wasn't going out partying and relaxing after winning it. It shows you that you're up there with everyone. I don't think I needed that. But some other people from the outside looking in may not where my mind is at … and where I belong. I think everyone involved in the program, including the coaches … or at least I would like to think they feel that I'm one of the better wrestlers at that weight.
Compare Daniel Dennis as a true freshman wrestling in the Iowa lineup to Daniel Dennis now. How much better have you gotten in the two seasons since you have been in the lineup?
Dennis: I feel like I would beat the hell out of me as a freshman. I don't think I was mentally strong enough. I'm sure you're familiar with the saying that the season is a grind … that's what it was for me my freshman year. But that was only because I made it like that. I'm excited. I feel like I'm much stronger mentally. Physically, I don't know how much my strength has gone up. I feel like I was a pretty strong physically my freshman year … just not mentally there. Not mentally in the right mindset for a tough match every time I step out there. It doesn't have to be, but I made it a tough match every time I stepped out there my freshman year. This year, I'm more solid and a more well-rounded wrestler. I feel like I won't have a problem on bottom like I did my freshman year. I just feel like my confidence is there … and I know my ability is much greater than it was my freshman year.
Terry Brands just joined the coaching staff. Have you had a chance to work with him? And if so, what has that been like?
Dennis: No, I haven't. I'm pretty excited about him coming. I actually haven't even spoken with him yet. I believe he should be here shortly. No, I haven't been able to work with him, but I think it will be really good for our program overall.
You will be competing with Joe Slaton for the starting spot at 133 pounds. With that in mind, do you avoid working out with him in practice?
Dennis: No. I mean, I wouldn't say that we work out regularly. Obviously, we're competing against each other, but we're competing against ourselves to get better. With that in mind, it doesn't matter who you are going with any day … as long as you're striving to get better. I wrestled with him last weekend. That was the first time in a while. He's a very tough competitor. But, no, we don't steer away from working with each other. We don't work out every day with each other. I wouldn't even say every week with each other. But if we both need a partner, we won't beat around the bush to try to get someone else. If we both need a partner, we'll go.
After you won your University Nationals title in April, you were quoted as saying the following about transferring if for some reason you are not the starter: "That's absolutely ridiculous. For me to transfer, I think that would be the dumbest thing I could do." Do you still stand by that?
Daniel Dennis will battle Joe Slaton for the starting spot at 133 pounds for the HawkeyesWould you ever consider moving up to wrestle at 141 pounds? Or are you pretty much set on staying at 133 pounds?
Dennis: I don't feel like I'm a real big 133-pounder. So, no, I don't foresee myself moving up a weight class.
You've had success in freestyle. Do you plan to continue training freestyle after the season with your sights set on making U.S. World and Olympic teams?
Dennis: Yes, I do. As of right now, I definitely do. I don't see too many things intervening with that. I definitely plan on competing internationally after the season wherever I can, but I'm really not looking ahead too much to that right now. I'm just trying to take it one season at a time.
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