With two previous national champions, five NCAA qualifiers and three returning All-Americans in his 197-pound weight class, most wrestlers would be a little worried. Couple the strength of the field with Calabretta having already lost to five Big Ten opponents this season, and that seems like reasons for losing sleep.

But Calabretta doesn't appear too concerned.

"I know I can beat all those guys," Calabretta said. "I expect to go out there and win."

Calabretta's path to a Big Ten title won't be easy, though.

Minnesota's No. 1-ranked Tim Hartung leads the pack of experienced returnees back for another round of Big Tens. Hartung won Big Ten and NCAA titles last year, defeating Iowa's No. 2-ranked Lee Fullhart in the finals both tournaments.

Fullhart, a national champion two years ago, also returns. The Hawkeye has trounced 197-pound competition all season -- except for Fullhart.

Including matches from last year, Hartung has handled Fullhart five consecutive times. But nearly all of Hartung's wins were narrow ones.

Hartung's Golden Gophers coach, J. Robinson, said history should repeat itself at Big Ten Championships.

"Tim's the favorite, no doubt about it," Robinson said. "The last two years, he's beaten Fullhart every time. I don't see anything changing."

Penn State coach Troy Sunderland disagreed that the outcome of a Hartung-Fullhart bout is a sure Gopher win.

"Both of them are solid, powerful, explosive wrestlers," the first-year coach said. "Both are former national champions -- it's a tossup."

Chasing Fullhart and Hartung for a Big Ten title are No. 5 Sam Neider of Northwestern, Illinois' No. 13 Pat Quirk and No. 18 Ryan LaGrange of Wisconsin.

Neider, a fifth-placer at last year's NCAA Championships, said Fullhart and Hartung shouldn't forget about the rest of the field.

"The thing about the Big Ten is nobody is that far ahead of everybody else," the All-American said. "Some guys that may not be labeled favorites can certainly beat the top guys."

Losses to Fullhart, Quirk and Neider, all part of his 3-5 record versus Big Ten opponents, pushed Calabretta down to a No. 8 pre-seeding for the tournament.

In spite of his record and seed, Calabretta said his name should be included on the list of serious contenders in the 197-pound title hunt.

"I'm looking forward to some redemption this weekend," Calabretta said. "I've lost to a bunch of these guys, but that'll just make winning sweeter.

"I expect to go out there and win a Big Ten title."