Consistency from Backes could lead to title (INCLUDES PODCAST)

Luke Plansky
January 11, 2007

Listen to a podcast of wrestling coach Cael Sanderson talking with Daily Reporter Luke Plansky.

In a matter of several hours, Kurt Backes illustrated the inconsistency that has marked his career.

At the Midlands Tournament on Dec. 30, the ISU 197-pound wrestler pinned then-No. 3 Josh Glenn of American University in less than two minutes to enter the championship match, going on to lose to Northwestern’s second-ranked Mike Tamillow, 3-1, giving up a takedown with 11 seconds left after wrestling an offensively inactive match.

Backes admitted there were “two radicals” in style between the two matches, an aggressive approaches as well as a passive one. Now a senior, he is preparing for his last opportunity to take the NCAA title.

“I just think I’ve got nothing to lose, it’s as simple as that. I’m an All-American, but I’ve never placed higher than that and I’ve never won a national title,” said Backes, who has put together a 94-26 record at Iowa State. “So I’ve got nothing to lose, and you know just go out there and wrestle to the best of my ability and give my best effort and everything will take care of itself.”

The skill set that Backes has put together is unquestionably championship caliber. A three-time national prep champion at wrestling powerhouse Blair Academy in high school, he has strength, speed and wrestling ability that allows him to roll with the best in the country. But Backes hasn’t placed at the NCAA Tournament since his freshman year, and after an 11-9 loss to Iowa’s Dan Erekson early last month, his status of a title contender began to come under question. Only since his win over Glenn has he climbed back into the top 10 of the national rankings. Backes admitted he needed to be more consistent in his attitude and mentality in his senior year and that he sees the difference in his offense when he isn’t active.

He also said he is trying to enjoy his final year.

“I’m just trying to have fun; I’ve done this sport for how long?” Backes said.

“I have ups and downs. Midlands was a good tournament. [I] made some big steps. I’m having fun with it, every day.”

Coach Cael Sanderson has worked with Backes throughout his career. After the loss to Erekson, Sanderson said, “Anything can happen when you stand around in wrestling.”

Now, Sanderson says he has confidence that Backes has corrected his approach. He also thinks Backes has put too much pressure on himself at times.

“I think he has in the past,” Sanderson said. “I don’t really think that stuff is an issue anymore. I think he is just having fun and wrestling hard. And that’s what we are going to continue to do through March.”

Last year, after overcoming an injury and a slow start, Backes dominated then top-ranked Eric Bradley, 10-2, in February to establish himself as a front-runner in the 184-pound weight class, but was met with a setback.

Backes suffered a high ankle sprain in the final dual meet of the season, still managing to tech fall his opponent but losing preparation for the Big 12 and NCAA tournaments. He won his second conference title but again fell a match short of All-American status, losing to Bradley, 7-6.

His college career hasn’t gone according to plan, but Backes said he is going to give his best effort and let the rest take care of itself.

“I expected [a national title], but things don’t happen the way you want it sometimes,” said Backes, who is a team co-captain. “Last year I was hurt, the year before that, it just didn’t happen. Whatever, it happens. I’ve got another chance, just seize it.”

This Saturday at the National Duals in Cedar Falls, Backes will match up with 12th-ranked Michigan senior Nick Roy in the first round. Should the Cyclones win, he would take the mat against fourth-ranked senior Chris Weidman of Hofstra.

First duals for the Cyclones start at 11 a.m. at the UNI Dome.