Princeton University Athletics
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Wrestling Squad Hosts Trio Of Matches, Including Pair Against EIWA Rivals
December 04, 2009 | Wrestling
After two weekends of tournament competition, the 2009-10 Princeton wrestling team begins its dual meet season this weekend with a trio of home matches. The schedule opens tonight with an EIWA showdown against the Diplomats of Franklin & Marshall (7 p.m.) and continues Saturday against VMI (1:30 p.m.) and in-state rival Rutgers (3). Admission is free to all matches.
Last season, Princeton earned its first dual win since 2005 when it defeated the Diplomats 25-14. Four current Tigers wrestlers who won last year are possible starters tonight, including senior Danny Scotton, whose 11-9 win was one of the key victories last year. The Tigers also got a decision from Mike Alvarez, a major decision from Kurt Brendel and a technical fall from Dan Kolodzik. Brendel, who led Princeton's freshmen in wins last season, ranks second on the team with 10 victories already this season. He trails a current freshman, Garrett Frey, who is 11-1 on the season and won the 125-pound weight class at The Binghamton Open. Sophomore Andy Lowy (6-5) also has a winning record for the Tigers, and he is probable to start at 165.
Franklin & Marshall is also competing in its first dual match of the year after a fifth-place finish at the Navy Classic in November. The Diplomats placed four wrestlers, including a team-best fourth-place finish by Jake Bucha (133). Matt Fullowan (174), Colin Ely (197) and Dan Canfield (285) each placed sixth respectively for F&M.
VMI is led by 174-pound sophomore Andrew Szymborski, who has a team-best five wins and two major decisions, while freshman Conor Black leads the team with three wins. Junior John Pope was VMI's lone placewinner at the Keystone Classic, which also featured Princeton.
Rutgers is 3-3 in dual matches this season, although two of its losses have come to national powers Iowa and Penn State. The Scarlet Knights have several nationally ranked wrestlers, including heavyweight Dominick Russo, who is in the Top 10 of several national polls. Junior 133-pounder Bill Ashnault also moved into the national polls after an upset win at Bucknell last weekend. Fans of New Jersey wrestling could see two of the premier in-state recruits from last year meet at 125; Frey, of Blair Academy, could take on Vincent Dellefave, a two-time NJSIAA champion from Toms River East.