By Jake Krier, UWEC Sports Information
(Blugold.com) - In the wee hours of Tuesday morning, the Blugold wrestling team departed for their trek to Philadelphia. The team is currently mid-trip on their 1000-plus mile drive to the 'City of Brotherly Love' in what will be a week full of travel, training, history and competition.
Head Coach Tim Fader has put together a team trip for nearly every team he has ever coached. This particular excursion to the east coast not only will end with the squad wrestling at the Will Abele Open on Saturday, but stops at the Flight 93 National Memorial, Independence Hall, and the Liberty Bell are also planned. Even the team singing "Happy Birthday" to Mary "Oma" Fader for her 102nd birthday is on the itinerary.
As a lifelong wrestling fan myself, perhaps the most wonderful activity on this trip, though, will be for the team to meet Cael Sanderson. For those not as familiar with the sport, Sanderson is arguably the best wrestler of all-time (Dan Gable fans may disagree). The four-time NCAA Champion never lost a collegiate match, won an Olympic gold medal, and now coaches the top-ranked team in the nation at Penn State University.
In addition to practicing at Penn State, the Blugolds will train at two other universities along the way.
Fader stated, "I love that we can see different sights, train in different places, and get matches for our entire team while competing against new competition."
All wrestlers on the roster are guaranteed to have a minimum of three matches at the tournament that takes place at Ursinus College.
When asked about the trip, senior Nathaniel Behnke said, "I think that this is a great opportunity for our team to grow closer together and to show the east coast teams what Midwest wrestling is about. We have set high goals for this upcoming tournament, and we are a new and improved team that is ready to show what we can do."
Matt Laugen (Jr.-Fergus Falls, MN) added, "I think it will be great for us to get closer and learn more about who we are as a team."
As the Blugolds left this frigid Wisconsin weather for a much more balmy 50-degrees in Philly, they are sure to make plenty of memories during this trip.
Jeremy Amundson (Jr.-Osceola, WI) said, "I think that this trip is a great opportunity to see what some east coast wrestlers have to offer competitively and to put a good image for Blugold wrestling into the community."
While the wrestlers likely will have to hold off on the cheesesteaks until after wrestling on Saturday night, it will be a quick turnaround for the team as they return to the McPhee Center on Tuesday, January 19 for the battle of the Chancellor's Cup against UW-Oshkosh.
