All Things Ivy
After winning the last four Ivy championships, Penn stands to be the biggest obstacle in Cornell's quest for the fifth. Last season the Big Red won a 20-12 contest; Penn last defeated the Big Red on Feb. 2, 2002, 21-9, which is the Big Red's last loss in Ivy competition. Cornell first met the Quakers during the 1907-08 season and lead the series, 73-12-1. Leading the all-time series, 44-15, over Princeton, the Tigers last defeated the Big Red during the 1985-86 season.
Matchup at 133
The EIWA wrestler to remain undefeated throughout the season, rookie Adam Frey will have his biggest test thus far when he faces No. 1 ranked Matt Valenti on Friday. Valenti is 19-2 this season and will face No. 3 ranked Frey who holds a 12-0 record and is 7-0 in dual matches. The victor will look to take the top seed at the EIWA tournament.
The Quakers
Penn travels to Ithaca after defeating Harvard, 28-12, last weekend. The Big Red and the Quakers top the Ivy leaderboard in an early tie for first place. Ranked 16th in the nation, Penn has wrestlers ranked in six weight classes and is 7-5 overall this season.
The Tigers
Princeton enters the weekend still looking for its first win after starting 0-14, 0-7 EIWA. Last weekend the Tigers lost a 36-7 match to Harvard. Friday night Princeton will face Columbia in New York, N.Y.
In the City
The Big Red picked up two crucial wins last Saturday when it defeated No. 5 Hofstra, 22-18, and No. 24 Columbia, 30-9. Cornell won six matches against the Pride at the New York Athletic Club, with its victory being led by Luke Hogle's 12-4 upset win at 184 pounds against No. 7 Joe Rovelli. At Columbia, the Big Red took seven matches, winning two by major decision and two by fall. Sophomore Drake Hovis recorded his first collegiate pin against Devin Messanko at 157 pounds. Five Cornell wrestlers went 2-0 for the day, and rookie Frey remained flawless with his 12-0 record at 133. Sophomore Jordan Leen recorded his 50th career win with his 5-3 decision over No. 14 Mitch Smith, and senior Jerry Rinaldi now ranks seventh in the Cornell record books with 107 career wins.
The New York State Championships
Nine Cornell wrestlers represented the Big Red at the New York State Championships held Jan. 19-20 at the University of Buffalo. The Big Red walked away with six placewinners and nineteen total wins.
Big Red
Placewinners:
133: Nick Bridge, 5th
149: Brian Alves, 5th
157: John Basting, 7th
165: Mike Mackie, 6th
184: Matt Panasevich, 2nd (B Bracket)
197: Carl Landers, 8th
NWCA All-Star Classic
Senior Jerry Rinaldi was all set to wrestle Penn State's Phil Davis at the All-Star Classic in Dallas, Texas. Rinaldi won the exhibition match by forfeit because Davis failed to make weight. The duo bouted on Jan. 7 in a dual match with Davis winning a 5-0 decision. Troy Nickerson was also invited but was unable to make the trip.
Up Next for the Big Red
Cornell will travel to Cambridge, Mass. next weekend to take on Harvard in a Friday night match.
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