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    Webster Farris •

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    Rev Blog: Webster Farris (Dana), Entry 3

    The Dana College Wrestling team returned from Christmas break refreshed and ready to return to work on December 30. With the Dana Open just around the corner on January 6, we got going immediately. For the next week our days were filled by two training sessions each day. One session emphasized plyometric activities, agility drills, and some conditioning. The second session we strapped it up and wrestled in the room.

    As we got rolling with class and practice again, the Dana Open was here. The Dana Open was a smooth operation and we had several guys compete very well. Outstanding performances were given by our 125-pound finalist Craig Trampe and our co-champions at 141, Terrence Almond and Brian Graham. We had several other guys wrestle long hard days and were rewarded with some hardware. These tough men were Wade Jordan, Dan Pray, and Jesse Boggs. Overall, the Dana Open revealed we have serious work to do before NWCA/Cliff Keen National Duals if we wanted to defend our title.

    The 8th of January brought some much-anticipated announcements from the coaching staff. The first announcement was the release of the coaches' first top twelve list (those in the top 12 at season's end go to Nationals). Obviously some guys were happy and others weren't but this list is tentative from week to week. Guys need to take the top 12 list for what it is, a motivational tool. Those on it must work to remain and those not, must fight tooth and nail to reach it. The second announcement was that of our practice roster. Those 20 odd guys on the roster practiced everyday and those who weren't, began a strength training program from the Olympic Training Center in Colorado. This list, like the top 12, is tentative from week to week so everyone needs to be prepared to step into the room and compete on any given day.

    Webster Farris
    Following the week of training we departed for Cedar Falls, Iowa on Friday afternoon. After a long ride, we unloaded at our hotel and went to the UNI-Dome for practice and final weight-loss regiments. After night at the hotel in Waterloo, we went to our first weigh-ins. We competed Saturday morning against McKendree in an extremely poor performance on our part, but luckily came away with a win. In our next dual of the day, we could not afford to make any mistakes. Before that dual with William Penn, something happened to our team, something promising. We came together and mustered a confidence about ourselves. This unity and confidence showed brightly during our dual with the No. 3-ranked team in the land as we had several guys come up big and we won 26-11. With the win, we were given the night to cut weight and relax for Sunday mornings semifinal against No. 2 Embry-Riddle.

    The excitement from the night before proved present once again as performances by Burke Barnes (133) and Terrence Almond (141) set us on fire. We used this fire to move ourselves past No. 2 Embry Riddle and into the finals against No. 1-ranked Lindenwood later Sunday afternoon by defeating Embry Riddle, 24-18.

    As the finals neared, excitement buzzed throughout the entire UNI-Dome. Our young team was beginning to realize what winning is about … and that we were now so close to another title. The dual with Lindenwood proved to be everything a finals match should be as it came down to the last match of the day. As disappointment fell upon our team following a close loss, the dual suddenly became peppered with "only ifs." However, with our new team unity and confidence we are diligently working to remove the "only ifs" and replace them with another Northwestern Invitational championship in Orange City, Iowa this Saturday (Jan. 20) … and ultimately with a 2007 national championship! See you all next time.

    Train Hard,

    Webster Farris

    Past Entries:

    Entry 2 (12/6/06)
    Entry 1 (11/21/06)
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