Assistant ready to lead NU wrestling team in Vegas
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By KARL VOGEL / Lincoln Journal Star
Mike Greenfield wants it known his record as a head coach is spotless.
No matter what happens with the Nebraska wrestling team this weekend, he wants to keep it that way.
With the Huskers competing in the prestigious Las Vegas Invitational, which starts today and runs through late Saturday night, head coach Mark Manning isn’t sure whether he’ll be accompanying the team. Manning and his wife are expecting the birth of their second child soon.
That would leave Greenfield, NU’s head assistant coach, in charge of the team.
“Who’s the only Nebraska assistant coach with a perfect record filling in as a head coach in two different sports?,” Greenfield asked with a laugh.
“If we win this weekend in Vegas, it’ll be me.”
In April 2006, Husker men’s golf coach Bill Spangler was unable to accompany his team to the Branson Creek Invitational, so he asked Greenfield to hold down the fort on the road trip.
The Huskers came from 16 shots out after the first day to win the tournament by three strokes.
Greenfield is looking for similar results this weekend, even if he’s not pressed into extra duty.
“We’ll be taking the same number of coaches, but it may be a different lineup,” Greenfield said. “It’s my job no matter what to make sure they’re ready to go when they get out there on the mat. It’s just that I’ll have a few extra things causing me some stress this week if Mark can’t go. But I still want to be 2-0.”
Even with his uncertainty about making the trip, Manning is certain about one thing — his team’s ready to wrestle against the best teams in the country. At least 50 teams are entered in the tournament — including the No. 6 Huskers and eight other teams in the top 14.
Both Manning and Greenfield said they know first-hand the positives a good performance at the Las Vegas Invite can have on a young wrestler.
Six years ago, Husker B.J. Padden became only the third redshirt freshman to win a Vegas title, and last year three current Huskers — Jordan Burroughs, Stephen Dwyer and Brandon Browne — parlayed big December performances into 30-win seasons and All-American finishes at nationals.
Browne, a senior 174-pounder, said the key to his third-place performance in 2007 was not paying attention to the resumes and reputations of his opponents.
“Some guys might get nervous because it’s Vegas,” said Browne, “but I think of it just like any tournament, like it’s right here (in Lincoln).
“I wrestled a guy who was ranked No. 2 last year out there, and I just tried to ignore all that and go out and wrestle. I did that all season and it worked out well.”
With the tough competition in Las Vegas, Manning said, the Huskers have to keep the long-term in mind.
“Our goal has to be to go out there and win championships,” Manning said. “For the development of our young guys, this is going to be the difference for how they evolve for the year. They keep getting better each week, and we need that down the line.
“Whether I’m there or not, I think the guys are going to wrestle fine.”
Reach Karl Vogel at 473-7432 or kvogel@journalstar.com.
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