Princeton University Athletics
Three Tiger Wrestlers Headed to NCAA Tournament
March 06, 2001 | Wrestling
March 6, 2001
PRINCETON, N.J. - For the first time in ten years, Princeton University will be represented at the NCAA Championships, held this year at Iowa State, March 15-17. Senior Ryan Bonfiglio, junior Juan Venturi and sophomore Greg Parker will make the trip to Iowa and wrestle for the NCAA titles.
The wrestlers qualified for the tournament after competing in the EIWA championships held this past weekend, March 3-4, at the University of Pennsylvania. Ryan Bonfiglio of Lansdale, Pa. made it to the final round of the EIWA tournament, wresting at 165 lbs. Bonfiglio defeated Clint Wattenberg of Cornell to reach the finals and later lost to Tim Ortman of UPenn, 4-2. Bonfiglio, who currently stands with an impressive, 24-9 record, will have one last shot at the title in two weeks.
Juan Venturi of Houston, Texas is another familiar name amongst wrestling fans. Venturi, (133 lbs.) placed second at the EIWA championships, losing only to no. 1 ranked, Matt Picarsic of Harvard. Venturi will enter the NCAA tournament with a record of 19-7.
Greg Parker of Clifton Park, N.Y. will wrestle in the 174 lbs. weight class. Parker is one of the younger wrestlers of the team yet he has been pivotal in the success of the Tigers this season. Parker enters the NCAA tournament with a record of 27-13.
The last Princeton wrestler to reach the NCAA tournament was John Gluckow '91. Gluckow wrestled current Princeton Coach, Michael New, Cornell '92.