The No. 6 Nebraska wrestling team has faced a lot of adversity this season. However, head coach Mark Manning isn’t letting that get in the way of the team’s success on the mat.
“I think our guys have done a good job of embracing sometimes people doubt us,” Manning told Hurrdat Sports Live Tuesday morning. “Whether it’s in rankings, or different individual rankings, and 10 to 15 years ago, I use to be all about that. You would get upset about so and so being ranked, or our team not getting enough love, but at the end of the day, none of that bothers me anymore. I think our team’s taken on that identity that it really doesn’t matter. We’re getting better each and every day, and we focus on the moment more than whether someone’s ranked sixth or second.”
Manning addressed the status of heavyweight wrestler AJ Ferrari following his arrest for an outstanding warrant in Texas. Police pulled Ferrari over for speeding following Nebraska’s win over Purdue and discovered the warrant for evading law enforcement. Manning said Ferrari is working through the situation and “will be back in action,” though he didn’t specify when.
“People 18 to 23 make mistakes, and that’s about growing up, and learning how to be your best,” Manning said. “A lot of people have eyeballs on you, so people forget, no one’s perfect out there. People make mistakes, and AJ’s a high-profile guy, and it’s unfortunate, but you’ve just got to deal with it and you’ve got to make it teachable.”
On Wednesday, NTV reported the Nebraska extradition case against Ferrari had been dismissed without prejudice.
The Huskers are turning their attention to their first road test in Big Ten duals against Minnesota Friday night. Coming into the competition, the Golden Gophers are sitting at 7-2, while Nebraska is 8-3.
“In the Big 10, there are no easy matches,” Manning said. “So we’ll go to Minnesota here this weekend, and that will be a big environment. They’ve got a history of winning national championships and their fan base expects them to be great, so it’s a great challenge. They’re going to have a competitive team, and it’s going to be a war.”
Going into Friday’s contest, the Huskers rank No. 4 in duals and are ready for their next challenge.
“We’re on a really good trajectory,” Manning said. “I think our team has wrestled well here these last three weeks or so, and training’s been going great, and our health is good. That’s the big thing at this time of year, as you know. It’s keeping everyone healthy and moving in the right direction. So I really like where our momentum is.”
As the team transitions into more Big Ten duals, Manning is tasked with keeping his wrestlers focused on their wins thus far, but also realizing the importance of doing well in conference competition while preparing for the final stretch of the season.
“We would love to be 18-0 at the end of the year and win a Big Ten regular season title, but really our sport comes down to March,” Manning said. “You have to be great in March, and it’s kind of like the NFL playoffs. Whether you’re 12- 5, or 9-7, right? Upsets happen, so it’s really building towards the end.”
With a wrestling match lasting seven minutes full term, sometimes it can be easy for wrestlers to lose focus, but Manning said he’s working hard to keep his guys concentrated on their opponent throughout the period.
“We try to practice, whether it’s short goes or situational wrestling, and we practice it,” Manning said. “We tell them, ‘Listen, you’re going to be in this situation, how are you going to react? How are you going to respond? Are you going to hang your head when you get taken down late? Or are you going to fight like an animal?’” We practice it, so I think that’s something over the course of my career here, we’ve gotten better at it and not let our guys freak out, be their best in big moments.”
Now that the spring semester has started, the team is focusing on their classes while getting ready for their upcoming dual, with one focus in particular.
“You’ve got to practice the mental aptitude you need each and every day, and you can’t lose that identity,” Manning said. “When you start thinking it’s about you, and not what you’re putting into it, you can’t get too full of yourself. You got to keep your mind in the right place.”
For now, the Huskers will continue preparing for the contest against Minnesota, with hopes of getting conference road duals off to a good start.
“It’s fun to see guys that know how to fight and bring that fight each match,” Manning said.
Nebraska will travel to Minneapolis, Minn., to face the Golden Gophers on Friday. The dual is set to begin at 8 p.m. CT, airing on the Big Ten Network.
