ESPN’s The Season: Iowa Wrestling Part II will air one hour earlier than announced, and will be show

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Gary Abbott (USA Wrestling)
07/08/2002


ESPN has confirmed that the time has changed for the broadcast of the second part of the two-part series called The Season: Iowa Wrestling.    Part Two of the show will air at 8:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday, July 9. This is one hour prior to the previously published time for this show.     Wrestling fans who wish to enjoy this show should make sure to tune in ESPN one hour earlier this week to see Part II. The segment will be one hour in length, and will show the completion of the 2002 NCAA college wrestling season.    The press release on the series includes the following: "The all-access look into the intense training and the numerous personal storylines of the Iowa wrestling program displays the dedication of the student-athletes and the pressure they put on themselves and each other to succeed. The team has been one of sports greatest dynasties - finishing the season ranked #1 in the nation nine of the previous 11 years and 20 of 27. Yet, now five years removed from the extraordinary reign of coach Dan Gable, many observers feel the program, now under the guidance of Jim Zalesky, is beginning to lose its hold as the nation's leading collegiate wrestling institution. The team finished second in the nation in 2001 and The Season tracks this past year's team through its ups and downs and ultimately the season-ending national tournament."    Viewers will see first hand a particularly grueling sport that is pursued for the pure glory of the triumph; no lucrative professional career awaits even the most decorated of these warriors.     The Part I segment ended with Iowa losing a dual meet to rival Oklahoma State on its home mats in Iowa City. Part II will show the completion of the season, including the intense "Border Brawl" with the Univ. of Minnesota, as well as the conference and NCAA Championships.    The show has been well received by the wrestling community, and many are looking forward to this week's conclusion. The wrestling community is asking all who enjoy wrestling to encourage their friends and family to watch the show, and help wrestling receive high ratings on this popular ESPN feature.