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Thursday, November 12

UW Field House

7:00 PM

Wisconsin Badgers

UW-Whitewater

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Photo by: Pam Ruschell

November 12, 2015 | Wrestling

Badgers see first action against in-state foe UW-Whitewater

The words "new" or "young" can carry negative connotations in sports, where experience is often valued. Yes, those terms indicate change, but they also can signify that great opportunities lie ahead. And that is exactly what is in store when a "young" Wisconsin wrestling team takes the mat to open a "new" season on Thursday.

The No. 15-ranked Badgers open at home against UW-Whitewater in a dual meet set for 7 p.m. at the UW Field House. More than a few fresh faces will pop up on the mat, with 50 percent of the projected starting lineup having never started for the Badgers.

"Our guys have been training since September and training hard," UW head coach Barry Davis said. "It's an opportunity for them to perform in front of their home fans so hopefully our guys will step up and wrestle at a high level, which I think they will.

"Our guys will be ready."

Fans will recognize sophomore Ricky Robertson, who is coming off a stellar freshman campaign and moves down a weight class to 174 lbs. Robertson, a 2015 NCAA qualifier, was Wisconsin's starter at 184 pounds last season and finished with a 27-10 record.

Johnny Jimenez opens his second year as Wisconsin's 125-lb. starter after taking over the role three matches into the season as a true freshman.

After taking a fourth-place finish at the Big Ten championships last season, junior T.J. Ruschell will move up a weight class to 157. He was an eight-time starter at 149 lbs. last season and is expected to come into his own this season, especially after putting on a solid performance at the recent Red/White Dual. Ruschell notched a 15-4 major decision over Jared Scharenbrock.

"We train hard and now it's time to perform," Davis said. "We had our intrasquad a while back but now this is someone different and they're looking forward to it. We've been doing a lot of good things in the room."

Several Badgers were able to shine in the Red/White Dual, and their impressions didn't go unnoticed.

One Badger who stood out in the Red/White Dual, for both his size and his showing on the mat, was senior Brock Horwath. He will step into the role of starting heavyweight in place of All-American Connor Medbery, who is taking an Olympic redshirt this season, but Horwath is ready to fill the big shoes.

"I am coming into a bigger role this year," Horwath said. "Connor is gone training for the Olympics and the team needs me to come in and fill that role where he placed fourth in the NCAAs last year. They need me to fill in and do just as well, but the goal is to do better."
Jens Lantz (133) and Seth Liegel (165) will join the starting lineup in place of 2015 All-Americans Ryan Taylor and Isaac Jordan, who are still working their way back to 100 percent health.

"This year's team, they're young," Horwath said. "A lot of kids are spunky. We're young, we're ready and it's time to bring another trophy in."

UW-Whitewater had a successful run last season, finishing fourth in the NCAA Division III championships and garnering five All-America honors. The Warhawks won their fourth-consecutive Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championship and third straight NCAA Midwest Regional title.

"I think they're coming in with a good opportunity to wrestle a D-I program here and I'm sure they'll come up ready to go, ready to wrestle hard and perform at a high level," Davis said. "I always tell the guys, 'It doesn't matter who you're wrestling. You're wrestling a college kid here. Obviously these guys understand wrestling and skills and techniques, so don't overlook anybody.'

"We won't overlook them, they won't overlook us, and hopefully it gives fans a chance to watch good wrestling."