Princeton University Athletics
Greg Parker Falls At NCAA Championships
March 23, 2002 | Wrestling
March 23, 2002
Albany, N.Y. - Junior Greg Parker lost for only the second time all year, this time at the NCAA Championships in Albany, N.Y. Parker finished the year with a 33-2 record, both losses coming at the hands of Greg Jones from West Virginia.
With the match scoreless in the early going, Jones brought Parker down awkwardly and Parker tore cartilage around his rib cage. He tried to fight through it, however, Jones took advantage of the injury and came a away with a 12-5 win.
Parker's only other defeat came in his second match of the year when Jones won 3-2.
"He (Parker) got hurt and the injury really hampered his ability to score points," says Princeton head coach Mike New. "He was tough. He never quit."
Parker became Princeton's first EIWA Champion in 16 years and Princeton's first NCAA finalist since John Orr in 1984-85. Parker is Princeton's fifth ever NCAA finalist. Bradley Glass is Princeton's lone NCAA Champion. Glass won the heavyweight title in 1951.
"It was a tough way to lose," says New. "But this just leaves himself (Parker) room for improvement next year."
Parker, who wrestled in his second straight NCAA tournament, earned All-America status with his finish.
"Excitement the whole time," says New. "What a ride."