Interview with 133-pound Daniel Dennis after the Bucknell meet
At first when I noticed junior Joe Slaton was out of the lineup at 133, and Daniel Dennis was in his place, I wasn't sure how I felt about that.
Coming out of the 07-08 season, Slaton placed second at NCAAs and third at Big Tens. The all-American posted a 31-5 collegiate match record. So where is this junior who could potentially be clenching that first place trophy at 133?
It's called weight control.
Many may have watched as Slaton struggled uncontrollably during his match against Nick Fanthorpe during the Iowa State meet in December, to be defeated 12-2.
So someone had to step up to the plate, and it just so happened to be junior Daniel Dennis.
He's not from Cedar Rapids, Iowa and he hasn't made an appearance at the Big Tens or NCAAs. But he has just been named Big Ten Wrestler of the Week. And that's got to count for something.
The Ingleside, Ill. native took victory over defending Big Ten champion Franklin Gomez, 3-2, at Michigan State during the Hawkeyes first Big Ten road trip this past Friday. He then went on to beat no. 9 ranked Jake Strayer at Penn State on Sunday, 6-3.
Dennis, who is now 21-2 in collegeiate matches and 4-0 in Big Tens, has climbed his way to be ranked no. 1 by W.I.N. Magazine and in the Intermat/NWCA/NWMA polls.
I don't know what I was worried about, but Dennis has it under control.
Click here for a story on Slaton's weight control.
Video courtesy of SCOUT.com.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment