The ISU wrestling team has seen little other than adversity during the month of January. Six consecutive dual losses, three of them at home, and a string of injuries derailed the team’s promising early season. As the calendar turns to February, the grapplers hope to right the ship against Arizona State.

A win over Binghamton University, 22-18, at the end of January gave the Cyclones a newfound drive and brought them out of their slump. 

“We had some younger kids that made the connection this week,” said Andrew Sorenson. “We are moving in the right direction. You can see that they are connecting to some of the stuff [coach Kevin] Jackson is coaching. Hopefully they springboard off those matches into the rest of the season.”

Sunday’s dual against Arizona State will bring together two teams looking to salvage their seasons. The Sun Devils, ranked No. 13 in the country, are currently riding their own five-match losing streak, including losses against Central Oklahoma, Cal State Bakersfield and Cal Poly.

“The goal is to win,” Sorenson said. “That’s the goal every time. My goal is to dominate. I have a loss that I have to redeem.”

The resurgence of Trent Weatherman highlighted last weekend’s up and down trip for the Cyclones. In his first duals back after an injury sustained against Oklahoma, Weatherman trounced both Cornell and Binghamton wrestlers with falls.

“I put a few matches together … I’m just really focusing on wrestling for seven minutes and not worrying about anything else,” Weatherman said.

Unfortunately for Cyclone fans, Weatherman may not get to showcase his momentum Sunday. Bubba Jenkins, ranked No. 4 in the country, will be out with an injury, and Arizona State is not expected to fill the role.

Jenkins and fellow senior Anthony Robles have been the prevailing forces for Arizona State. Robles has steadily climbed the rankings at one of the deepest weights in the country. Ranked No. 2 at 125 pounds, Robles will be the sixth top-10-ranked 125-pound wrestler Cyclone Brandon Jones will face this season.

“I’m looking forward to the last home dual,” Sorenson said. “It will be good for Jon [Reader] and the other seniors to go out and perform in front of a large crowd hopefully.”

Sunday’s dual will be the final home dual of the season for the Cyclones. The day will be dedicated to the seniors on the roster: Jon Reader, Kyle Slifka, Nate Carr Jr. and Arizona State transfer Chris Drouin.

The dual is scheduled to start at 2 p.m. Sunday at Hilton Coliseum.