Millikin Men’s Wrestling is preparing for its rival, Illinois Wesleyan.
Millikin versus Wesleyan has been one of the all-time longest and most significant rivalries in each school’s history. But for Millikin, it’s just another match.
“I feel like it’s no different, same old wrestling, just with the name rivalry on it. I’m very confident in our team,” Kody Marschner said.
Millikin is looking to continue their winning streak in duels after a blowout win versus Westminster College, 45-6.
The team is also coming off a successful tournament showing at the Millikin Open and is hoping to improve as a team, which saw Millikin secure a first and two thirds.
Millikin’s Mateo Casillas took home first in the 197-pound bracket, but suffered a potential injury during the match. However, he has been training and looks confident about wrestling this Saturday against an opponent he faced in the quarterfinals.
“I feel great, I’m ready to roll for this weekend,” Casillas said. “I’m ready to roll and give it everything I got.”
The team also had some struggles at the tournament, as starting 141-pounder freshman Nathan Barbee went 0-2 and was knocked out early, but is looking to bounce back this weekend.
“Just definitely lights a fire in me,” Barbee said.
Millikin has also expressed confidence in the team, especially given all the work they have put in leading up to this match.
“I feel confident I see these guys grind every day, so I know no matter who we put out there, we’re gonna have a great lineup against some of the best teams in the nation,” Casillas said.
The coaching staff at Millikin has also expressed confidence in the duel, as Wesleyan hasn’t given Millikin much competition in a while.
“I mean, as far as our duel this weekend, we’re not too concerned, not to dig on Illinois Wesleyan,” Assistant Coach Brendan Ladd said. “We handled them pretty well last year. I think it was 55-0 or something like that.”
However, they stated that they understand there will still be some challenges in the match and that it won’t be a complete cake walk.
“Probably 1-3 matches that we really actually have to dial in and prepare for, and talk about some things, and prepare for a tough match. But otherwise, we should handle them pretty well,” Ladd said.
Millikin Wrestling competes this Saturday, November 15th, at 7:00 p.m., looking to keep its winning streak alive as it faces rival Illinois Wesleyan.
“Pop out, seven o’clock, you know what it is,” Barbee said.
