Missouri wrestler Brent Haynes didn’t start his junior season the way he wanted to.
After his second straight appearance in the NCAA Tournament as a sophomore, Haynes came into the season with high expectations but dropped two of his first three matches. Despite the slow start, the 197-pound grappler has managed to put together a 21-4 record, winning 20 of his last 22 matches, including seven straight victories heading into the team’s final dual against No. 1 Oklahoma State on Friday in Stillwater, Okla.
“I don’t think that much has really changed,” Haynes said. “The only big thing is believing in myself and just putting in all of the hard work I do in the room and translating it onto the mat. I’ve been wrestling a lot more consistently in all of my matches.”
That consistency is what plagued Haynes earlier this season, coach Brian Smith said. And it’s what the coaches have been looking for.
“If it’s not a good match for Brent, it’s because he’s worrying about how he feels or a bad call from a ref,” Smith said. “But we haven’t seen that in a long time and don’t plan on seeing it again. He’s in a groove.”
Haynes has become one of the most consistent Tigers during the second half of the season. Even in a 26-7 loss for Missouri to No. 4 Minnesota at the National Duals on Feb. 11, Haynes was one of two Tigers to win his match, earning a major decision over then-No. 6 Sonny Yohn.
“When he’s at his best, he’s not worrying about how the match is going,” Smith said. “It’s all in his head. He’s always had this ability, now he’s just believing in what he can do and going out and executing it.”
For Haynes, execution starts in the practice room, where he has been pushing himself by working out with assistant coach Matt Pell and Missouri senior Dom Bradley, who is currently taking an Olympic redshirt in preparation of the 2012 United States Olympic team trials.
“I think it’s really important to try and put yourself in uncomfortable positions everyday at practice,” Haynes said. “That’s why I go with some of the tougher guys, because they push me. If you don’t ever put yourself in those situations in the practice room, then when you get on the mat you’re not going to know what to do.”
Haynes has made it perfectly clear that he knows what to do on the mat, positioning himself for a third trip to the NCAA Tournament in March.
“This being my third year, I’m hoping that those two past years will help me get over that hump to be an All-American and a national champion this year,” Haynes said.
His coach echoed the importance of his experience and hard work at practice. Smith, who said Haynes could finish anywhere from No. 1 to No. 8 at nationals, is confident the junior will finish in the top three of the 197-pound weight class.
“He’s into it, and this is the best time of the year to be into it, so he’s definitely prepared for the end run,” Smith said.
With the Big 12 and National Championships drawing near, Haynes sees no reason to change his approach.
“I just have to keep doing what I’m doing,” Haynes said. “I’m going to work hard in the room and believe in what my coaches set up for me and just lay it out there on the mat.”
