Huskie wrestler, Anton Kossakowski at 177 pounds, is gearing up for the NCAA National Tournament at Ames, Iowa, Thursday, March 17.

The Huskie grappler has been drilling heavily the last couple of days instead of going through live drills due to a swollen ear received during a match at last weekend’s regional competition.

“We’ve been drilling him a lot the last couple of days. He has a cauliflower ear from the tournament”, Huskie head coach Ed Vatch said. “Today we’re going to go live with him.”

“I was throwing a guy at the regionals and he landed on my head gear and my ear swelled up,” Kossakowski said. “I haven’t gone live the last couple of days.

“I’m working out twice a day. I’m doing more wind sprints and I’m trying to stay healthy. I want to get my conditioning back up. I feel good but I just want to better it.”

Kossakowski said he is appreciative toward his teammates for helping him prepare for the national tournament.

“The team is coming in and helping me,” Kossakowski said. “Tom (Hoy), who’s a senior, doesn’t have to come back and go to practice, but he’s here to help. Joe (Madonia) and Ted Anderson are coming in and helping me out.”

Vatch said Kossakowski was confident of his chances at regionals.

“He never doubted he was going to the nationals,” Vatch said. “He proved to himself and to the state of Illinois that he’s the best. He gets a great rush out of competing in front of crowds.”

Vatch said the 177-pounder is gaining a lot of respect from his peers in the wrestling community.

“I had guys coming up to me at the regionals saying that he’s a blast to watch,” Vatch said. “He gained a lot of exposure at the regionals.”

Although Kossakowski lost one match at the regional to take second place, he made his presence felt.

“The guy who beat him in the finals won’t forget him,” Vatch said. “He took the whole minute and a half injury time. He needed seven stiches after the match.”

Kossakowski said he realizes what he has to do to have a shot at the national crown.

“The guy that beat me at regionals capitalized on my mistakes,” Kossakowski said. “I was out of position. I have to stay in a better stance.”