The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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kind of attitude. If a guy comes not ready to wrestle, he needs to feel it right away from the other guy. "That's the culture we're trying to work on and upgrade and develop. It needs to be survival of the fittest." Veteran Off To A Great Start Although the youngsters on the team have stepped up, veteran Dan Yates has been one of the most impressive wrestlers thus far this season. Yates, a redshirt junior captain, moved up from the 165-pound division to 174 this year, and the results have been stellar. He had posted a perfect 10-0 record through Dec. 14 and was ranked No. 12 nationally by Intermat. "Moving up weight classes helped him this year," McFarland said. "He can focus on becoming a better wrestler and doesn't have to worry about his diet all the time and keeping his weight where it needs to be. I think it's been a really good thing for him." After losing two of three matches at the NCAA Championships last season, Yates was determined to change his work habits heading into the 2012-13 campaign. "I learned that we have some of the best coaches in the nation, and I learned to trust them more," Yates said. "I think the difference is already shown. After NCAAs were over, I started buying in more and more, working with the coaches." With a refocused attitude toward training, Yates stormed through summer conditioning — and he has already seen the dividends. "I attack a lot more and push the pace a lot harder than previous years," he said. "I just believe in my coaching staff and compete as hard as I can every time. Being consistent is probably the No. 1 area I've improved." Although Yates has seen some stiff competition, he's looking forward to the Midlands Championships Dec. 29-30 in Evanston, Ill., where he will square off against several nationally ranked wrestlers. For now, though, McFarland is pleased with what he has seen from Yates. "He is buying more into it. He is paying attention now to the things you need to be focused on to become a dominant wrestler," McFarland Taylor Massa, who had posted an 11-3 record through Dec. 14, was the only freshman rated among the country's top 20 (No. 14) in the 165-pound division by Intermat. photo courtesy michigan athletic media relations said. "He is dominating every day and being a great leader. "He is showing these younger guys how championships are won and the hard work it takes to get there. Danny is doing a really good job of that." Youngsters Bolstering Lineup Massa is off to a quick start in his college career, posting an 11-3 record in the 165-pound weight class through Dec. 14 — including an 8‑3 win over Central Michigan's Mike Ottinger, who was ranked No. 19 nationally at the time of the match. Intermat ranked Massa No. 14 nationally at 165 pounds, and he is the only freshman in the top 20 of his weight class. "We knew he was a special guy when we got him," McFarland said. "But he is still going through some growing pains as a freshman. He is a great competitor, and he wants to win, which is really important." Massa admitted that he was nervous for his first match of the season — but eventually settled down and got back to wrestling like he has all his life. With the Midlands Championship looming before the Big Ten season, Massa has big goals for this year — freshman or no. "I would like to be able to take down anyone in the country," Massa said. "That's my goal. "I feel like I'm right there, but it's a work in process. You're never going to be completely there, because there will always be someone who does something a little different. Perfect isn't really possible, but I want to get as close as possible. "My goal is to win an NCAA title. If you're not aiming to be the best, you're expecting to fail." Massa isn't the only young guy making an immediate impact. True freshman Rossi Bruno has started every dual meet this season, competing in the 133-pound division and posting a 6-5 record. "Bruno has done a great job for a true freshman," McFarland said. "He is one of those guys who has been coming on as his matches progress and losing some close ones. He needs to start faster and get that first takedown, get the momentum on his side and build off it." Another true freshman, Jordan Thomas, is competing with redshirt sophomore Chris Heald for ownership of the 184-pound class. Thomas is 6-3 on the year. "That's a weight class we're still really trying to figure out," McFarland said. McFarland knows what Massa, January 2013 the wolverine 71