Brian Realbuto works to turn Navy's Jadaen Bernstein in Las Vegas (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com)After moving up two weight classes last season, Cornell's Brian Realbuto is expected to move back down a weight class to 165 pounds next season, according to Big Red head wrestling coach Rob Koll.
"He had to have surgery after last year's NCAA tournament and I am not sure he has kept the size to go 174," Koll wrote about Realbuto in his Cornell wrestling newsletter. "In the case that Brian is at 165 we have a cast of characters competing for the 174 starting nod."
Realbuto is a two-time All-American, finishing as the NCAA runner-up at 157 pounds in 2015. Last season, Realbuto spent several weeks ranked No. 1 at 174 pounds. He claimed his second straight EIWA title. He entered the NCAAs seeded No. 2, but suffered an injury in his first match and was eliminated after dropping his first two matches. Realbuto enters his senior campaign with record of 92-16.
In addition, two-time NCAA qualifier Mark Grey is expected to move back down to 133 pounds for the Big Red. He competed at 141 pounds last season and compiled a 7-9 record.
"Mark Grey plans on making his way back down to his former weight class," wrote Koll. "In the two years Mark wrestled at 133 he made the rounds of 12 and 16 at the NCAA tournament respectively. Mark has struggled with health issues but if he can stay healthy and effectively manage his weight, there is no reason to believe he could not finish his career as an All-American. Mark will face stiff competition from teammate Chas Tucker."
Cornell is coming off a seventh-place finish at the 2016 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships in New York City. The Big Red lost NCAA champion Nahshon Garrett (133) and two-time NCAA qualifier Duke Pickett (174) to graduation. Two-time NCAA champion Gabe Dean (184) returns for his senior season.
"Although it will be difficult to replace Nahshon Garrett and Duke Pickett I am confident this year's team will actually have more overall balance than last year's team," wrote Koll.
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