Telford ready for postseason

IOWA CITY - Bobby Telford's first season in the University of Iowa's starting lineup has been a learning experience.

The freshman heavyweight seems to have gained the knowledge of what he needs to do to be successful.

Telford will try to put it to work at the Big Ten Wrestling Championships Saturday and Sunday hosted by Purdue University in West Lafayette, Ind.

He is ready for the postseason and the task ahead.

“Big days Saturday and Sunday. The highlight of the season, I guess, in some aspects,” Telford said Wednesday. “As far as performance, I've got to eliminate all mental mistakes and technical mistakes and start wrestling hard.”

Telford will look to close out the season as strong as he started it. He opened by winning his first 14 matches before struggling with three straight losses against current NCAA Division I wrestlers. He has gone 3-2 in his last five matches, entering the conference tournament with a 21-6 overall record.

Telford has learned that you have to be prepared and ready to go for each match. In high school, he used to be able to get by with light workouts before the start of a tournament and additional light work before his match. That is not good enough at this level.

“Every match you have to be at your optimum,” Telford said. “Sometimes when you have to put the extra effort in and need an extra warm up.”

The 13th-ranked Telford has worked hard to break through that barrier, blowing out his lungs and exerting his muscles before he competes.

“I need to get a good sweat in,” Telford said about his pre-match routine. “That's what I've been doing here lately. I feel good about it.”

During his successful stretch, Telford was active and offensive for a heavyweight. He seemed less confident and effective in losses. He has a grasp on what is necessary to open up.

“I need to start making things happen,” Telford said. “Not forcing things, but start making things go my way, especially on the mat.”

The Hawkeyes have the reigning Big Ten champion, senior Blake Rasing, on the squad. Rasing saw action during the last half of the season. The spot was earned by Telford, and there didn't seem like much of a dilemma who would be in the lineup for the Big Ten tournament.

“There's always a question,” said Iowa Coach Tom Brands, giving Rasing credit for his contribution as a backup. “That debate's over right now.”

Telford was pre-seeded sixth, and one of nine Hawkeyes pre-seeded in the top 10 of their respective divisions. With the Big Ten receiving 10 automatic NCAA Championship berths at heavyweight, he just needs to win one match to advance. The focus is not just moving on to the national tournament.

“If you're thinking that way you're goofy in the head,” Brands said. “It's not about just qualifying by the skin of my teeth. It's about qualifying with muscle and the right way.”

The strength of the field will present a tough match every round. Telford doesn't pay attention to rankings or seeds.

“It's not something I care about. It's not something I look at,” Telford said. “Especially with a national qualifier, it's good to do well. You want to help yourself to go further in the postseason. You still have to get the job done.”

Third-ranked Iowa will attempt to dethrone top-ranked and defending Big Ten and NCAA tournament champion Penn State. The Nittany Lions and No. 2 Minnesota have three No. 1 seeds apiece. The Hawkeyes are led by defending Big Ten champion and two-time NCAA finalist Matt McDonough, who is top-seeded at 125. Tony Ramos (133) and Mike Evans (165) are seeded second and Montell Marion (141) and 174-pounder Ethen Lofthouse are seeded third for Iowa, who finished only one point back of Penn State last year. The Hawkeyes won three straight Big Ten titles before 2011's runner-up performance.

“I think we're real dangerous,” Ramos said. “We have a lot to prove.”