In the nearly eight months since his loss in the NCAA championship match, ISU wrestling captain Nate Gallick’s increased preparation and training seem to have paid off.

He got his revenge on his 141-pound rival, two-time national champion Teyon Ware, last week, beating him, 3-1, in the NWCA Classic.

“Actually, that match – it really meant a lot for me,” Gallick said.

“I haven’t been harping over it, but it is in the back of my mind and I wasn’t happy about it. Going out and getting the win was good; it helps get me back on focus.”

Gallick, a redshirt senior, lost to Ware, 3-2, in the 2005 title match – his only loss in seven matches with the Oklahoma standout. Gallick said he stayed positive and made the most of the situation, using the loss as motivation. Coach Bobby Douglas said that kind of attitude is a trait of a winning wrestler.

“Nothing motivates a great athlete more than defeat,” Douglas said. “It was a very, very difficult defeat for him and I know it’s motivating him to train harder.

From a positive point of view, the loss has helped him put it into gear.”

Gallick regrouped after the loss for off-season competition, earning a gold medal at the 2005 World University Games, as well as a runner-up finish in the 2005 U.S. Senior National Freestyle competition in Las Vegas.

In the first few weeks of competition this season, he has compiled a perfect 8-0 record. Gallick’s next opponent will be fellow NCAA qualifier sophomore Alex Tsirtsis, from the University of Iowa, who has already challenged Gallick to two one-point overtime matches so far in his career.

As a senior and a leader of the young Cyclone team, Gallick said he – along with the other three Cyclone All-Americans – feels an increased responsibilty to win for his team every time he steps on the mat.

“There is no question that us veterans have to get it done in order to win,” Gallick said. “It is expected.”

Redshirt junior Kurt Backes, one of the Cyclones’ other All-Americans, said the group’s responsibilities can be boiled down to setting a good example.

“We’re veterans; we have been here for a while,” Backes said. “We know what to do and expect. We just have to go out, do our thing and wrestle.”

Working with Gallick, Douglas has seen a change in his wrestler’s practice.

“I think his training has intensified considerably. He’s more focused now, and has taken a little different approach to training and tactics in matches,” Douglas said. “He is trying to score more points, which is important.”

With Friday’s dual meet with Iowa in mind, Gallick was optimistic about the relatively young Cyclones chances this year.

“I can see a difference in the team right now,” he said.

“We have made a lot of progress, and to make this progress now – we could win a national title. We have to continue to get better, but we have a lot of potential.

“As a team, I’m still looking at it. As for myself, I’m training to win, I’m going to win. That’s what I’m thinking.”