In 1987, the ISU wrestling team was on top of the world. It had just completed another national championship, adding another year to a list now painted on the wall of the Cyclones’ wrestling room.

None have been added since.

The Cyclones, who finished the 2004-05 season with a 16-2 dual record, have shown commitment to the ultimate goal this season. Printed on white posterboard, taped onto the wall, is the year “2005.”

Despite only suffering two dual losses this season — against No. 1 Oklahoma State and then-No. 6 Nebraska — junior Nate Gallick said the team expects more out of the season.

“Our goal heading into Big 12s is to get qualified for nationals and win the Big 12 tournament,” he said.

Gallick, who has not lost this season, said he does not feel overwhelmed despite a seemingly bigger target on his back.

“I don’t feel a whole lot of added pressure just because I haven’t lost,” he said. “Even if I had a loss, I’d feel a lot of pressure because I like to win.”

Sophomore Kurt Backes said the team feels ready, and it has gelled as a team this season.

He said he is confident in his teammates based on the work ethic they have shown all season.

“We put the time and work in,” Backes said. “Now we’re just polishing up. We’re just going through techniques; you can’t get in any better shape now.”

Coach Bobby Douglas agreed, saying the team becomes closer as Saturday’s tournament in Omaha, Neb. approaches.

He said the best has yet to come for the team.

“This is a tournament team, not a dual meet team,” Douglas said.

Douglas has seen the Cyclones’ work ethic throughout the season and credits much of the success not only to the wrestlers, but to the coaching staff as well.

He said the team’s season may have surpassed expectations for some, but there is still much wrestling to be had.

“I think this has been a Cinderella season,” Douglas said. “We had an outstanding performance by our assistant coaches; they were responsible for 90 percent of the preparation.”

Last season the Cyclones finished third in the Big 12 tournament and sixth in the NCAA. That was a step up from the 2002-03 season, where they finished fifth in the conference and tied for 19th in the NCAA.

Douglas said the team has a lot of work in front of it, but hopes to be ready for the challenges that await it.

“We’re never as prepared as we’d like to be, but we’re prepared,” he said. “We’ll wrestle well.”

Gallick agreed, saying Iowa State has been ready for the tournament for a while.

“We’re ready. We’ve been looking forward to this and training for this all year,” he said. “We keep saying, ‘Wait ’til March, wait ’til March,’ … March is here, so now it’s time to show ’em what we’ve done.

“We’ve been training all year for this.”