FRESHMAN DILEMMA

First-year wrestlers debate whether to redshirt or not
By Mike Finn, W.I.N. Editor
For many of these wrestlers, it was a way of life " a successful way of life for almost a decade as they earned countless triumphs on both the Cadet and Junior national level; not to mention state and All-American honors they earned in high school.
Yet, the majority of those guys take all that success and confidence and put a redshirt on it as they sit out their first year of college wrestling. Of the 27 young men who earned first-, second-, or third-team All-American honors by ASICS last spring before moving on to college this winter, only eight are competing as true freshmen.
For some of those redshirting, it’s a matter of backing up a defending NCAA champion, like the situation Daniel Friskhorn is in at OSU behind two-time champ Johnny Thompson. Friskhorn has beaten Thompson in an early-season wrestle-off though.
For some others sitting out their rookie season, it’s a matter of getting their body and mind ready for the Division I wrestling wars.
"I was going to wrestle," said former Blair Academy (New Jersey) All-American and Junior Hodge Trophy winner Mark Perry, who considered giving up his redshirt season for a struggling Iowa wrestling program that could use a strong 165-pounder.
"I was going to do it for the team and then I thought to myself what was going to be best for me. It could be the difference in being a one-time national champ and a two-time or three-timer. I feel that I’m right there competing-wise. But I want to be at the top right away."
This has been a tough decision for Perry, who admitted feeling pressure to wrestle in wake of Iowa’s troubles this season.
"I don’t let things get to me," he said. "I’m an independent person. They don’t know that as much as my immediate family.
"The biggest thing Iowa fans need to know is that wrestling is changing. You can’t win it seven or eight years in a row. There are too many kids out there who are too good. Teams are working harder to get in better shape."
"It’s a tough position to wrestle," admitted Iowa coach Jim Zalesky, who did not want to throw Perry (the nephew of Oklahoma State coach John Smith) against the Cowboys’ Tyrone Lewis, a three-time All-American. "For somebody besides Lewis, you might have looked at it a little different. But when going against a Tyrone Lewis who was undefeated and ranked No. 2, you have to look at your guy’s psyche and make sure he wants to do it. We’re not sure if (Perry) wants to do it."
Smith understands Iowa’s dilemma.
"It’s a proud program," he said. "Every year they are trying to win a national championship. When good teams wrestle good teams, you want your best guys in the line-up. It’s not easy when you don’t have that kind of depth and you may never have that kind of depth."
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