After a third-place finish at the Big 12 Championships, the ISU wrestling team has practiced hard to prepare for the national tournament March 18-20 in St. Louis.

“We work hard on Monday and Tuesday,” head coach Bobby Douglas said. “We’ll continue to work, and we’ll cut back and rest up later.”

The Cyclones finished the season ranked second behind conference foe Oklahoma State. The Cowboys and Cyclones will each send eight wrestlers to St. Louis. Iowa led the nation by sending all 10 wrestlers.

“It takes seven men to win a national title,” Douglas said. “[We have] a good team and will be competitive [in St. Louis].”

Senior Zach Roberson will lead the Cyclones into St. Louis as a four-time national qualifier.

“We’re just working hard and staying positive,” the two-time All-American said. “When we wrestle well, we’re a tough team to beat.”

Roberson and sophomore 125-pounder Grant Nakamura said they expect all team members will wrestle to their best ability.

“We’ll be ready,” Nakamura said. “Douglas always has us train for nationals, not the Big 12 tournament. Our focus has been on nationals all season.”

Douglas said although the Cyclones are ranked ahead of Nebraska, who finished second, he was not disappointed with a third-place conference finish.

“We wrestled well,” he said. “These men will continue to work hard, and they’ll be prepared for nationals.”

With another week of practice ahead of them, the Cyclones will continue to prepare through spring break for their upcoming tournament.

Nakamura, Roberson, sophomore Nate Gallick, freshman Trent Paulson, freshman Travis Paulson, junior Nick Passolano, freshman Kurt Backes and junior Scott Coleman will all make the trip.