No more 'next year' for Mueller

AMES - Mitch Mueller arrived at Iowa State University with aspirations to become an All-American and a national champion.

The window to accomplish either of those feats is coming to a close and he knows he has one last shot to achieve his goals.

“There isn't another year,” Mueller said. “There isn't a tomorrow.”

Mueller begins his final campaign in a Cyclones singlet for the 2009-10 college wrestling season.

Mueller, a state champion for Iowa City West after earning two state medals for Cedar Rapids Kennedy, has had plenty of collegiate success. He's qualified for the NCAA tournament each of the last three seasons, going 3-2 last season and was a win away from being an All-American.

In three seasons, Mueller has posted a 65-38 record with two straight runner-up finishes at the Big 12 tournament.

Despite logging progressively better seasons each year, he's motivated to reach the nationals awards stand in March.

“I haven't accomplished a lot of things or come close to what I wanted yet,” Mueller said. “I know I'm capable of it. It's a matter of believing and just going out and doing it.”

ISU Coach Kevin Jackson, who took over May 1 replacing Cael Sanderson, who took the head coaching position at Penn State, witnessed Mueller wrestle as a freshman, qualifying for World Team trials when Jackson was a U.S. Team coach.

“I always thought he had great potential to do well,” Jackson said. “I've been surprised over the last few years that he hasn't became an All-American yet.”

Jackson described Mueller as a “truly talented kid” but noted he has lacked confidence recently. He said the new staff is focused on getting him to achieve his goals.

“Starting in May, I've developed a real, real strong relationship rapport with Mitch,” Jackson said. “I think he's a great young man and a great kid still with great potential and a high skill level.”

Mueller has overcome his share of adversity. He battled injury early in his college career and has endured coaching instability.

Mueller maintains a positive view on Jackson being his third coach in five years at ISU.

“Some people from the outside might think it's pretty tough, but by the way I look at it I've been coached by three great Olympic-caliber coaches,” Mueller said of Olympic champions Jackson and Sanderson and former ISU coach Bobby Douglas, who was an Olympian as well. “They've all been at the top. They all know what they're doing.”

In the short time with Jackson, Mueller said he appreciates Jackson's direct approach.

“He'll flat out tell you how it is,” Mueller said. “He's not afraid to call you out.”

Jackson didn't hesitate to point out that if Mueller wrestles to his potential and follows the coaches' plans that the end result will take care of itself in March.

“His goal when he got here was to be a national champion,” Jackson said. “I don't think that's necessarily something that we don't take seriously. I think that's his goal to be the best in the country.”