Wrestlers need an attitude to be No. 1

Concerning the Jan. 31 sports article “Image problem?”: What a stupid article for a local sports front page. Doesn't the writer understand that the University of Iowa wrestling team is No. 1 in the nation? When you are No. 1 in any sport, everybody is after you and trying to take you down. If you don't wrestle with a chip on your shoulder, you will be taken down.

The attitude and intensity and relentless style is what keeps you No. 1. In wrestling, the more you dominate and continue to punish your opponent the more points you get, which is important for team total. The writer seems to suggest that when you are winning, say 6 to 2, you should coast to the end and stop the relentless style.

Of course, when you get beat 16 to 3 or pinned, you are going to be mad and start whining about the intensity. Speaking of whining, this is the second Gazette article about Iowa State University's coach whining because he got beat twice by Iowa. I would much rather have a coach like Tom Brands and his intensity than a coach who whines because he got beat twice by Iowa.

Vern Miller

Coralville