Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/797655
He still exhibits some of the traits he learned along the way, and he had to rely on them during two of his closest matches of the regular season. A year ago, he beat Iowa's Brandon Sorensen three times, including a 10-1 major decision in the national final. This season, it was a one-point overtime match when they met in a dual meet in January. Then in a rematch against Oklahoma State's Anthony Collica in February's Dual Championship Series event – after Retherford had won by three points a year ago – Collica, too, pushed him to within one. "They're wrestling him in smart ways, trying to keep him off [balance], get him out of his position, trying to get him to use his overaggressiveness against him in a way," Sanderson said. "A lot of hands to the face. It's hard to attack when some- body's hitting you in the face. Those are things that Zain has to figure out, and he's been working on it." Heading into the postseason, Rether- ford was focused on countering those tactics. "Guys are ready for me and ready for the stuff I do," he said. "I have to stay patient. I think I stayed too patient at Oklahoma State. I'm working on keeping my hands down and being patient. But I can't stay too patient. I went the other way with it. I want to score points, but stay in good position, get back to what I do and start firing off attacks. I think I just need to get bold and start hitting some moves." Because it's all about keeping hope alive for a third. But first, he's got to win the second. The desire to repeat as national cham- pion continues to drive Retherford. His willingness to put in the necessary prepa- ration on a daily basis is what gives those around him confidence that he'll be able to win another title – sooner rather than later. "We know he's improving," Sanderson said. "The bigger the match, he's going to be ready to wrestle. ... I think he's going to wrestle his best at the national tour- nament. That's what I believe, 100 per- cent." ■ THE NCAA TOURNAMENT AT A GLANCE WHERE Scottrade Center (19,260 capacity) // St. Louis, Mo. WHEN March 16-18 // Day 1 First session is scheduled for noon to approximately 4 p.m., with pigtails and first-round action taking place on eight mats; second ses- sion begins at 7 p.m. and features wrestle-back preliminaries and first-round matches, followed by second-round matches in the championship round and also consolation-round matches. Day 2 Quarterfinal action takes place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on four middle mats, with wrestle-back second- and third-round matches on the outside mats; semifinals will take place on two middle mats beginning at 8 p.m. (one weight at a time), with fourth-round wrestle-backs on four outside mats and fifth-round wrestle-backs on all six mats following championship semifinals. Day 3 Wrestle-back semifinals take place on all three mats beginning at 11 a.m., followed by the third-, fifth- and seventh-place medal-round matches; the Grand March Parade of All-Americans will be from 7:35 to 7:50, followed by the champi- onship finals from 8 to 11 p.m. TV ESPNU will air the first round from noon-3:30 p.m. March 16, while second- round coverage will air on ESPN from 7-10:30 p.m. On March 17, ESPNU will carry the third round and quarterfinals from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. ESPN will air the fourth round and semifinals from 8-11 p.m. The medal round will appear on ESPNU from 11 a.m.- 2 p.m. March 18, while the finals will air on ESPN beginning at 8 p.m. RADIO WRSC in State College (1390 AM) will provide tournament coverage, with Jeff Byers handling the play-by-play call. WEB BlueWhiteIllustrated.com will provide live match updates and tournament news on The Wrestling Room message board, and will post a recap of the action all three days. * All times are Eastern