Wrestling travels to Sin City

After two tournaments that did not turn out the way it would have hoped, the wrestling team journeys west this weekend with a unique opportunity to redeem themselves in the 27th Annual Cliff Keen Las Vegas Collegiate Wrestling Invitational.

The tournament is widely recognized as one of the most prestigious and competitive wrestling tournaments in the nation.

Coach Carter Jordan discussed the quality of competition the team will wrestle shortly before the team’s last practice prior to the tournament Wednesday afternoon.

“It’s the best tournament, we think, in the country,” Jordan said. “[The wrestlers] are going to see some of the best guys in the country.”

The tournament will play host to wrestlers from 49 teams from across the United States.

Many of the weight classes will feature 64-man brackets, with a few 32-man brackets set to decide the heavier weight classes.

With so many wrestlers competing, the tournament is demanding of the athletes, as there is a possibility for those participating in the 64-man brackets to wrestle up to five or six matches in one day. 

Redshirt senior 157-pounder Kody Hamrah talked about the mental toughness necessary to compete in such a tournament.

“You got to have that mindset, it’s going to be a grind all day, and you have to keep the big picture in mind, keep your goals in mind at all times, because it’s easy to lose focus in a day that is that long,” Hamrah said.

Due to injuries, the Pack will travel with six of the usual ten starters. The wrestlers set to compete are freshman 174-pounder Jake Burge, freshman 160 pounder Quinton Godley, junior 149-pounder Darrion Caldwell, redshirt junior 125-pounder Taylor Cummings, sophomore 133-pounder Darius Little, and Hamrah.

Competing against the nation’s best wrestlers promises to be an opportunity for Burge, Godley and Little to establish themselves very early in their careers as national contenders in their respective weight classes.

Jordan talked about what his young wrestlers have the chance to accomplish.

“These younger guys can knock off some big names and put themselves in the rankings,” Jordan said.

Hamrah echoed his coach’s thoughts.

“This weekend will be a good chance for a lot of the young guys to make a name,” Hamrah said. “This is going to be a big stepping stone for them.”

Jordan singled out Burge in particular and the chance he will have to showcase his talents on the national level.

“Jake has the opportunity to go out there and really put his footprint out there for the rest of the nation to see,” Jordan said. “We really think he’s got a chance to do some big things on the national level.”

For Hamrah, it will be a chance to further bolster his national reputation.

“It’s a chance for Kody to really move up in the rankings,” Jordan said. “He’s been wrestling really well so we’re all looking forward to see how he does.”

While some might think of a weekend trip to Las Vegas as an opportunity for leisure, the team is approaching the weekend as nothing more than a business trip.

“We see the hotel room and the convention center and that’s it,” Jordan said. “[there will be] no fun and games going on.”