Big Ten wrestling meet at Penn State

Today

First round, quarterfinals, 10 a.m. Semifinals, 5 p.m.

Sunday

Third-, fifth- and seventh-place, 11 a.m. Championships, 1 p.m.

TV: Championships live on Big Ten Network
Lowdown on seeded Gophers

• Zach Sanders, redshirt freshman, 31-5, fifth seed at 125 pounds. "[He] can wrestle with anybody in the country. He has proved that time and time again." -- assistant head coach Joe Russell

• Jayson Ness, junior, 30-5, fourth seed at 133. Ness won the Big Ten title at 125 as a freshman and placed second at the same weight last year.

• Mike Thorn, sophomore, 26-13, fourth seed at 141. "[He] has beaten the defending national champion twice this year." -- Russell

• Tyler Safratowich, senior, 26-11, fourth seed at 157. "I can ride guys pretty well, and I can get away from guys." -- Safratowich, on his strengths

• Gordon Bierschenk, junior, 13-12, fourth seed at 197. Rejoined team after serving in Iraq with U.S. Army. Seven of his losses by three points or fewer.

• Ben Berhow, sophomore, 24-7, second seed at heavyweight. "He is constantly moving, trying to score and working real hard." -- Russell
Team prospectus

Favorites: No. 1 Iowa (24-0), No. 6 Ohio State (16-2), No. 8 Illinois (13-2), No. 11 Minnesota (15-8).

The quote: "We would have to have a great tournament to win it, but that's why you go. You do what you can to win it." -- Russell


Source: startribune.com