Sentes, Stewart take different paths to NCAA Championships
For 125-pounder freshman Scotti Sentes and 165-pound senior Trevor Stewart, this weekend's NCAA Championships holds special significance.
Sentes qualified for the tournament in his first collegiate season, while Stewart will finish his career at the meet.
Sentes said he has opportunities to learn from older wrestlers' experience.
"I have heard that it is a lot easier than wrestling some of those guys who are scared of us," Sentes said. "They told me it will be a lot easier to score when we actually have guys coming at us. There will be more opportunities to score."
Stewart said his prior experience is his biggest asset heading into the tournament.
"I understand what it takes to get ready for your match, mentally," Stewart said. "It is a lot easier now that I have been there a couple of times ... What got you their is what is going to make you successful at nationals. So don't change anything."
Coach Tom Borrelli said that many times, the younger wrestlers have the advantage because they do not feel the pressure tha some of the seniors deal with.
"It is there first time there. There is no pressure on them. They should enjoy it," he said. "Sometimes the older guys get the mentality that 'This is it' and they don't need that."
The crowds at the national tournament are unlike any the team experiences in the regular season, Stewart said.
"A lot of people don't like our team, so there will be a lot of yelling and hollering when you get taken down," he said. "You can't let them affect your match. I have learned to block it out now. Hopefully the other seven guys can do the same."
Four of CMU's eight wrestlers are making their first tournament appearances.
"The young guys and the old guys feed off each other," Borrelli said. "When the young guys have questions about what to expect they go to the old guys, and the older guys feed of the excitement of the guys who are there for the first time."
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