The eighth-ranked ISU wrestling team has a chance to legitimize its claim as one of the best teams in the country, heading to the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls on Saturday for the NWCA/Cliff Keen National Duals.

Eighth-ranked junior Travis Paulson (165) said the meet is an opportunity to show how much the Cyclones (7-2) have improved. Iowa State – the seventh seed – wrestles Northwestern in the first round at 11 a.m. Saturday.

With a win, the Cyclones would face either second-ranked Minnesota or Hofstra later that afternoon.

“I think we can beat Northwestern, and then I’d like another shot at Minnesota,” Paulson said. “We had a tough dual with [the Gophers] last time, and I think that we made the changes we needed to beat them this time around, so I’m confident in that.”

Northwestern is no small challenge. The 13th-ranked Wildcats feature seven ranked grapplers, including second-ranked Jake Herbert (174).

History is on the Cyclones side, though, as they own the all-time series 15-0.

“Northwestern is pretty tough,” said senior Nate Gallick (141). “I know there is a tough guy at my weight, and across the board I know they have some tough wrestlers.”

Along with Herbert, eighth-ranked John Velez (125), 19th-ranked Will Durkee (165), 10th-ranked Mike Tamillow (184), 10th-ranked Matt Delguyd (197) and 10th-ranked Dustin Fox (heavyweight) are the strength of the Northwestern lineup.

The bottom of the ISU bracket contains matchups between Oklahoma and Cornell, and Central Michigan and Northern Iowa. The Cliff Keen Dual tournament features a total of seven divisions and over 80 teams, mostly from the Midwest.

“We have a strong team. We just need to wrestle like it, up to our potential,” Gallick said.

The Cyclones lost, 21-13, in Minneapolis. Paulson avenged an NCAA Tournament defeat to Minnesota’s Matt Nagel in the Dec. 9 dual.

“I don’t want to put any pressure on an individual – it is a team effort, but I think a few people who lost last time can win,” Paulson said.

“I think we can wrestle tough enough not to give up major decisions that we gave up last time. It’s just the little things that we’ve been working on.”

Paulson’s brother, junior Trent Paulson (157), suffered his only loss of the season in that dual to Minnesota’s C.P. Schlatter. Cyclone fans are hoping for his return this weekend. Trent Paulson has missed the team’s last three meets due to an undisclosed illness.

As an upperclassman, Travis Paulson pointed out that there is an increased responsibility in big tournaments.

“I just want to be a leader. One of the best ways to do it is by example,” he said.

Gallick agreed.

“It is up to us, the veterans, especially me being a senior this year,” Gallick said. “I really need to step it up; if I can and score some bonus points for the team, I need to do it. In a tight dual, it is going to be one or two points that is going to be the difference.”

Conditioning could also play a pivotal role in the tournament.

“I think this is the best team, in shape wise, that I’ve been on since I came here,” Travis Paulson said. “Everyone is in great shape. We seem to outlast our opponents, and I think we’ll be in better shape than anyone.”

Semifinal and final matches are on Sunday, starting at 11 a.m.