The Iowa State wrestlers are looking to top last year’s performance at the NCAA Tournament. And they are well on the road to improvement: Nine grapplers are headed to Cedar Falls to compete Thursday, up from five last year.

Three of those who made a major statement at last year’s competition — Dwight Hinson, Chris Bono and Barry Weldon — will be back for more.

Hinson, who finished as a runner-up in 1996, goes into this year’s tournament ranked first in the nation at 126 pounds.

He also has the Big 12 title under his belt, courtesy of a 3-2 win over Oklahoma State’s Eric Guerrero almost two weeks ago.

Hinson’s victory marked his second over Guerrero this season, and it’s entirely possible that the two will meet again at the national tournament.

“I beat the kid two times already; you gotta keep that edge over him,” Hinson said.

“I’d love to beat him a third time, but you never know what’s gonna happen.”

Hinson said that he wants to improve on last year’s finish, and the only way he can one-up himself is to emerge a champion.

“It’s a stepping stone,” he said of the tournament. “Every year is an experience, and every year is different. I was so close to winning last year. I’m gonna do it this year. That’s my goal, my all-time goal.”

Bono is also going into the NCAAs with the taste of championship in his mouth. Not only will he defend his national title at 150 pounds, but he is fresh off a Big 12 victory as well.

This will be Bono’s third appearance at the Big Dance, and he said that his experience will work for his advantage.

“Confidence-wise, it does wonders for you,” Bono said. “I know how to approach it and how to train for it. I’m going to take it one match at a time, stay in a shell and not let anybody get to me. I’ve always been focused; I do what I have to do.”

Part of what Bono has to do is face some stiff competition. He said that while his main foe is Iowa’s Lincoln McIlravy, ranked No. 1 in the nation, he may also go up against wrestlers from Illinois and Michigan, who pose a threat.

“I’m pretty sure that it’s gonna be tough,” Bono said. “I’m not gonna overlook anybody.”

Weldon will also bash heads with some tough athletes. Already a returning All-American, he may be able to avenge his loss at the Big 12 tournament to Oklahoma State’s Mark Smith.

“I just have to get focused and go do it,” Weldon said. “I don’t care who I have to beat to do it. That’s my goal, no matter who’s there: to be a national champion.”

In addition to these three seasoned veterans, Iowa State is sending six first-timers to the national tournament.

Cody Sanderson, David Maldonado, John DeLeon, Bart Horton, Matt Mulvihill and Trent Hynek will all make their first appearance tomorrow.

Even though the three “old-timers” will draw on their experience to achieve success at the NCAAs, Head Coach Bobby Douglas said that the other wrestlers’ inexperience won’t hurt them.

“They’ll be all right,” Douglas said. “I’m confident that experience will not be the main factor; conditioning and the schedule [are more important]. I think that when you set your schedule up, you’re preparing for the national tournament. Sanderson, Maldonado, DeLeon — they’ve all wrestled most of their competition, on up the ladder, already this year.”

Conditioning is another element that comes into play at large tournaments. Over the course of three days, athletes can sometimes wrestle six or seven times, which can put a strain on those who aren’t properly prepared. That’s not a problem for the Cyclones, though.

“I get tired, but I don’t let anybody know it,” Bono said. “We’re the best-conditioned team in the country.”

“When we’re tired, Coach makes us do one more before we quit,” Hynek added.

Weldon agreed that ISU has a distinct advantage when it comes to conditioning. “Being in tournaments affects other teams more than us,” he said. “We don’t get as tired and as worn out by the second, third and fourth matches.”

Douglas’ superior conditioning methods will help those Cyclones who have never been to the NCAAs before.

Sanderson said that even though he’s new to the national tournament, he’s trying to look at it as one of the myriad other tournaments he’s competed in.

“I’ve wrestled hundreds and hundreds of matches in lots of tournaments, so it really shouldn’t make that much difference,” Sanderson said. “I’m not saying I’m not gonna be nervous, because it’s the NCAA, but I’m gonna go out there and do the best I can.”

“I just wanna be on that stand Saturday night,” Hynek said.

That, too, is Coach Douglas’s goal for the whole team, though he said that it may be difficult, given the keen competition.

“We’re gonna go into the tournament ranked third [behind Oklahoma State and Iowa, respectively], and there are probably six teams capable of finishing third or higher,” he said.

“Our hope, of course, is to win the tournament. If we wrestle up to our potential, we can certainly achieve the goals we set out; we can finish in the top three. It’s a matter of getting a few breaks and having a few prayers answered.”