Wrestling

One might think that when fifth-year senior Joe Nord was tapped to replace injured All-American Sonny Yohn at 197-pounds, he would jump at the opportunity.

Not so fast.

“If I could give anything, I’d have Sonny in the lineup, because it’s better for the team,” Nord said. “But it’s not the way it’s worked out.”

Come again?

“It really seems like our team has a legit shot to win the national title, and I just want to be a part of that any way I can. If that’s keeping Sonny healthy [and] in the lineup, then that’s [what I want to do].”

The fifth-ranked Minnesota wrestling team (12-3, 3-0 Big Ten) continued its run of early Big Ten success, sweeping the weekend with conference wins at No. 23 Purdue, 26-15, and at No. 15 Illinois, 21-16.

As is becoming routine, All-Americans Zach Sanders (125 pounds) and Mike Thorn (141) led the way.

Sanders earned a major decision and a fall on the weekend, and Thorn picked up a decision and a fall to send the Gophers out of the gates quickly both nights.

No wonder J Robinson looked so comfortable at his team’s duals over the weekend.

Following a 2-0 weekend in which Robinson uncharacteristically slouched in his chair, Minnesota Athletics Director Joel Maturi announced Wednesday that he and the two-time national coach of the year have agreed to a five-year contract, retroactive to 2010.

The deal, which will keep Robinson at the University of Minnesota until at least the 2014 season, is the first multi-year contract of his 25-year career.

Head coach J Robinson’s posture told you everything you needed to know during Friday’s home Big Ten opener at the Sports Pavilion. Robinson, who typically leans forward and rests an elbow on his knee, chin in palm with an index finger extended up the bridge of his nose, was leaned back in his chair, looking as comfortable as ever.

Rightfully so. The No. 5 Gophers (10-3 overall, 1-0 Big Ten) controlled the dual from beginning to end, finishing with a 25-14 victory over the unranked Hoosiers.

Even with a 136-0 record and three high school state championships, Kevin Steinhaus wasn’t a prolific recruit since most Division I wrestlers dominate the preps rank.
But now in his redshirt freshman season, he hasn’t slowed down much.
Steinhaus, a native of Pennock, Minn., picked up a key upset against No. 2 Oklahoma State on Sunday, dominating No. 8 Chris Perry 8-2. It may have shocked the home crowd at the Sports Pavilion, but there were at least 50 people who weren’t surprised.

The Gophers (3-1) entered Sunday’s bout with No. 2 Oklahoma State knowing they would need to wrestle a “perfect dual” in order to win. They didn’t get one.
No. 3 Minnesota would have needed to win all the matchups in which it was favored, as well as a few in which it wasn’t.
Things started as planned; the Gophers notched two upsets to open the dual. But No. 4 Zach Sanders (125 pounds) was upset in extra time, Cody Yohn needed a major decision he didn’t get and Minnesota lost by the narrowest of margins, 17-16.