Some people just don’t know how to share.

After splitting ownership of the Big 12 title for the first time in its history last season, Iowa State will attempt to bring sole possession of the trophy back to Ames.

“This is the time of year that we all live for, that we all look forward to,” said coach Kevin Jackson. “It’s hard to contain our excitement for this weekend.”

The Cyclones (13–2, 4–0 Big 12) will bring their most experienced team in years to Norman, Okla., in an attempt at a fourth straight Big 12 title, a feat that hasn’t been accomplished since Oklahoma State’s run from 2003–’06.

“It’s something cool to think of and something special to be a part of, kind of like being part of the 1,000 dual wins,” said senior 197-pounder Jake Varner. “Not everyone can say they were a part of that and not everyone can say that they won it every year they came in.”

Iowa State is riding a seven-meet win streak, and Jackson believes that if the team continues to wrestle the way it has over that streak, a Big 12 championship shouldn’t be too far out of reach.

“Wrestling’s not rocket science,” Jackson said. “If they go out there and they compete hard, get after it, try to score points, look to counter when they have those opportunities, they get away when they’re on bottom and ride hard when they have to, they’ll have an opportunity to win.

“I think they’re a better team and better wrestlers now than they were last year, so let’s see it.”

Last season’s championships didn’t end quite like the team wanted. The Cyclones walked away sharing the Big 12 title after disappointing performances, many of which were in the finals. Five Cyclone wrestlers reached the first-place round, only to be defeated.

To counter last year’s performances, Jackson is hoping for cardinal-and-gold singlets to be a fixture in the late rounds of this year’s tournament.

“We’re looking to try to put 10 guys in the finals,” Jackson said. “Obviously we’ve put guys in the finals the last few years and the majority of those guys have not won.”

Senior 133-pounder Nick Fanthorpe is going for his third Big 12 championship, previously taking the crown at the 2008 and 2009 events. Despite his past success, Jackson referred to him as his “sleeper” following the Nebraska meet on Feb. 21.

“Based on him being a little injured earlier in the year, where we’re at now and some of the losses he has, no one’s expecting him to perform,” Jackson said. “For me, when people start penciling in what it’s going to take for us to win the national championship or a Big 12 title, it seems like he’s not one of the guys that people think can help us get that done.”

Fellow senior David Zabriskie (HWT) will also be going for his third individual Big 12 title. “The Beast from the East” played a big role in the Cyclones’ 2009 championships, clinching a share of the team title with a win over Missouri’s Mark Ellis. During his freshman season, Zabriskie took down Oklahoma State’s Jared Rosholt, now the top-ranked heavyweight in the country, to help the Cyclones to their 2007 victory.

With five seniors competing with a total of five individual Big 12 championships, Iowa State enters the tournament as one of the more experienced teams. However, Varner warns that age and experience alone don’t win championships.

“We were freshmen at one time and we got second in the nationals, so it can happen no matter what age you are,” Varner said. “For us, it’s a good thing that we have that experience in the tournament because we know what to expect.”

Senior Mitch Mueller (149) will have his last chance to get an individual Big 12 title after finishing second the last two years. Junior Jon Reader is in a similar position, having finished third the past two years.

The tournament will begin at 11 a.m. in McCasland Field House. A live feed of the action will be available at www.big12sports.com.