Powell, Huskers Look For Championship Hardware

Lincoln -- In the University of Nebraska wrestling locker room sits eight picture frames. In the first seven frames are photos of Nebraska's seven individual national champions. The last picture frame is blank, but inscribed inside is the phrase "Who's Next?"

Two-time All-American Jason Powell believes that at the end of the 2003-04 season he will become the eighth Husker, and the first since 1995, to win an individual national championship for Nebraska.

"It's do or die," Powell said. "This is my senior season, and I have only one shot left. If I don't do it now, I will never do it."

Last season, Powell earned his second straight All-America honor after finishing third at the NCAA Championships. During the regular season, Powell went 35-6 overall, including 20-2 in dual matches. His 35 wins placed him in a tie for 15th all-time in single-season wins at Nebraska, while his 20 dual wins placed him in a tie for third all-time. For his career, Powell is 83-22 overall and is just 17 wins short of becoming the 16th wrestler in school history to record 100 career victories.

With last season's national champion Travis Lee of Cornell moving up a weight class to 133 pounds, and Chris Fleeger of Purdue and Nick Simmons of Michigan State set to redshirt this season, Powell enters the 2003-04 season as one of the favorites to capture the 125-pound national championship. With that heavy burden, Powell knows this season is going to be difficult.

"Last season, those guys were the guys I wanted to wrestle against and beat," Powell said. "This season, I know I will be the guy that everybody is shooting for and looking to knock off."

Powell believes that the teammates he faces in practice every day will prepare him for a long and difficult season.

"Guys like 125-pounders Chad Sportelli and Jeremy Emerson, along with volunteer coach Erik Akin, push me to get better every day," Powell said. "Coach Akin has wrestled at the collegiate level and knows what it takes to be the best."

One area Powell felt he needed to improve on was his strength.

"Last season, I wrestled guys who were a little bit stronger than I was," Powell said. "So I dedicated myself in the off-season to working on my strength."

Powell's off-season dedication did not go unnoticed according to strength and conditioning coach Mike Greenfield.

"Jason has improved in every aspect of his wrestling ability," Greenfield said. "He stayed here over the summer and not only improved his endurance but improved his strength."

The dedication and leadership shown by Powell will be more valuable to the team's success because the Huskers will be without two-time All-American Justin Ruiz, who will redshirt the 2003-04 season in hopes of making the U.S. Greco-Roman wrestling team for the Athens Olympics.

"A lot of people looked up to Justin last season," Powell said. "He was more of the vocal leader, while I lead more by example. This season I need to become more of a vocal leader as well."

With eight returning starters, Powell feels that Nebraska has the talent and drive to compete not only for a conference championship but for a national championship as well.

"I feel that the pieces are coming together," Powell said. "The younger guys from last season are more experienced and everybody is coming together as one and pushing each other to get better."

Along with Powell, the Huskers will get leadership from a trio of grapplers. Senior Joey Malia and juniors Travis Pascoe and Mitch Manstedt will be looked upon for guidance.

Malia, a three-year letterwinner, is coming off his first NCAA appearance while Pascoe is a two-time NCAA qualifier and just missed out on All-America honors last season. Manstedt just fell short of qualifying for nationals after finishing last season with a 22-11 record.

The other returning starters for the Huskers include juniors Matt Murray at 141 pounds and Travis Shufelt at 149 pounds and sophomores Jacob Klein at 165 pounds and B.J. Padden at 184 pounds.

"We have established more depth than ever," coach Mark Manning said. "We have freshmen and redshirt freshmen who really want to make our starting lineup and will push the older guys as much as they can. It's going to be a very competitive situation that is only going to make our team stronger."

With depth and experience on the roster, the Huskers look to get back into the top 10 in the team standings at the national championships this season.

"Our team goals have always been the same no matter how much depth and experience we have," Powell said. "We feel that we can win the Big 12 and bring home a national championship."

For NU to accomplish its team goal, it needs a strong performance from Powell all season, and he plans on coming through for the Huskers in a big way in 2003-04.

"I have dreamed about winning a national title ever since I was a little kid," Powell said. "I believe that I will be the next photo to be placed in that picture frame in the locker room."