Wisconsin Wrestling Online:  What did you think of the dual meet last week with Iowa State?

Coach Davis:  I knew going into the dual meet that it was going to be a good test for our upperclassmen as well as our freshmen.  I thought we let a couple of wins slip away at 184 and HWT.  We need to learn from this and continue to bring these guys along as the season progresses.

Wisconsin Wrestling Online:  How about Tanelli’s win at 141?

Coach Davis:  I thought Zach wrestled the kind of match that he has to wrestle.  Keep the guy close to him – tie him up – being in on his opponents legs and be able to ride.  It was definitely a good win for him.

Wisconsin Wrestling Online:  I know that at the Iowa State you had three true freshmen starting.  People are wondering why Howe didn’t start.  Can you shed some light on this?

Coach Davis: Andrew will be in the line-up this weekend vs. Oregon State on Sunday @ 1:00PM at the Field House. He had some surgery and then developed a minor infection, so we were just taking precautions. 

Wisconsin Wrestling Online:  You have quite a mixture of veterans and true freshmen.  How do you look at that?

Coach Davis: You’re right.  We have four upperclassmen with NCAA experience – Tanelli, Ruschell, Herbst, and Massey.  And we have four true freshmen with Kelliher, Jordan, Howe, and Rutt.  I think our upperclassmen are doing a good job as far as showing leadership in the room and showing by example what it takes to compete at this level  - they are great role models.  But yet the freshmen are individuals that are highly motivated and want to be successful at this level – it’s a win/win combination.

Wisconsin Wrestling Online:  This Sunday vs. Oregon State – their Coach is Jimmy Zalesky.  From my understanding you are ex-high school and college teammates.  Do you think about that when you guys face off on the mat?

Coach Davis:  The only thing I think about is preparing my athletes for that competition, and I know Jimmy feels the same way.  Before the dual we get a chance to catch up and talk about our families, what’s been happening in our lives, etc.  But we also get to talk about wrestling!

Wisconsin Wrestling Online:  Troy Steiner is a former staff member of your’s and is now an Assistant with Oregon State.  Any conflicts?

Coach Davis:  No – there is mutual respect.  I have known Troy for a long time and I’m looking forward to catching up with him this Sunday also.

Wisconsin Wrestling Online:  Todd Seiler (Mt. Horeb High School Coach) has contacted me about what he is doing with trying to get his team more involved in college wrestling.  Something about having his kids “adopt” a UW Wrestler.  Any idea what that would mean for you guys?

Coach Davis:  From my understanding Coach Seiler is planning on making a full-size cutout of one of our wrestlers that his team has voted on to adopt for the season.  Todd’s guys will be tracking that wrestler’s stats – takedowns, near falls, pins, and win/loss record.  I think it’s a great idea and a way for young wrestlers to aspire to the collegiate wrestling level. 

Wisconsin Wrestling Online:  I like that idea of what he is doing and getting his team involved with UW Wrestling.  I hope other teams will pick up on this idea and maybe we’ll have the entire team adopted out!!

Coach Davis:  That would really impress our guys.

Wisconsin Wrestling Online:  Good luck against Oregon State this weekend.

Coach Davis  Thanks Tom.  I appreciate your support and all you do for us.  We hope we see a lot of fans at the Field House this Sunday, November 30 at 1 PM vs. Oregon State.