As the wrestling season winds down, many thoughts, moments and dreams will come true for the Ole wrestlers at next Saturday's MIAC conference championships.

All the hard work, dedication and determination displayed over the entire season will be put together on the mat and left on the mat.

Two wrestlers that best exemplify these qualities are senior co-captains Andy Brown and Shaun Murphy who will wrestle in their last conference tournament of their wrestling career. Brown and Murphy are the only senior members who have been on the team for four years.

"It takes an incredible individual to wrestle for four years in the collegiate level. Both of these seniors have excelled not just in wrestling but in the classroom as well. That is quite an amazing accomplishment," said head coach Ken Pratt.

Last year Brown was named to the All-Conference Academic team and Murphy was named to the All-American Academic team. "Practicing five days a week, wrestling on the weekends, and getting up early for morning runs puts a strain on study time during the season," said assistant coach Pete Sandberg, "To be able to handle this schedule and find time to study makes these seniors more special."

Both coaches have very high opinions of Brown and Murphy. Brown, who wrestles at 184 lbs, isn't the best wrestler on the team and he would be the first to tell you that.

In order to be better than your opponent in this sport you need to work harder. And that is exactly what Andy Brown has done.

"Andy has something within that drives himself to become a better person," said Pratt. Since his first year, Brown has worked his way into the starting lineup.

Added Pratt, "All Andy did was keep working and improving. His work ethic has paid off especially this season." Brown's best performance this season came at the Cornell Invitational where he placed sixth in a very competitive weight class.

"Andy has come a long way since freshmen year. It has been fun to watch him over the years," said Sandberg. "It will be exciting to watch him make a run at the conference championships next weekend."

Not only has Brown made improvements since his first year, but Murphy has too. Murphy is the true definition of what a wrestler is. He lives and dies for this sport. Moving up a weight class from 157 lbs of last year, Murphy will try to capture the conference crown at 165 lbs.

"Last season, Shaun got a taste of the national tournament. Placing second in the conference and becoming an alternate for nationals. This time he is determined to win the conference and become an All-American," said Pratt.

Murphy, who made a quick impact as an incoming first-year and as a sophomore, has inched closer and closer to his goal. "Shaun has worked very hard everyday this season to win conference," said teammate Alex Morf. "He has pushed himself and all of his teammates further than expected."

Entering the conference tournament with a 20-8 record, Murphy hopes to leave everything on the mat and walk-off knowing he gave his best effort.

"If Shaun wrestles a perfect match every time, there is nothing stopping him from going straight to the top," concluded Sandberg.

Whether it is through pushing themselves or their teammates, Brown and Murphy have become a vital role to the wrestling program.

Said Pratt, "It has been enjoyable to coach these guys for four years. It will be very emotional come next Saturday."

These two seniors might say wrestling has done more for them, but in reality Brown and Murphy have done more for wrestling.