Princeton University Athletics
Photo by: Beverly Schaefer
Matthew Kolodzik Earns Unanimous #1 Preseason Ranking, Will Face Top-10 Opponent At All-Star Classic
October 26, 2018 | Wrestling
The last time Matthew Kolodzik stepped on the mat in Orange and Black, he defeated two of the four highest-ranked wrestlers in the nation to place third at the 2018 NCAA Wrestling Championships. The two-time All-American won't face anybody ranked higher than him at the start of the 2018-19 season, though not because of a new scheduling philosophy.
There just isn't anybody ranked above him.
Matthew Kolodzik is the first Princeton wrestler ranked #1 in the preseason this century, and he'll make his unofficial Princeton debut next Friday, Nov. 2, at the 2018 NWCA All-Star Classic. The two-time All-American and EIWA champion will face eighth-ranked Mitch Finesilver of Duke. While Finesilver would be a challenging opponent anywhere in the nation — he is a three-time NCAA qualifier with a 62-25 career record — the Blue Devil senior will be the lone competitor in the 2018 Classic who comes from Colorado.
Kolodzik experienced the home advantage last year, when Jadwin Gym served as the host of the 2017 All-Star Classic, and he built on that to another historic season for the Tigers. Kolodzik had plenty of highlights along the way, including a second-straight EIWA title, but nothing matched his NCAA Championships effort in Cleveland. Kolodzik took out #2 Brandon Sorenson (Iowa), #3 Grant Leeth (Missouri), #4 Troy Heilmann (North Carolina), and #6 Justin Oliver (Central Michigan) on his way to 3rd-place finish, Princeton's best since Greg Parker placed 2nd in 2002.
That finish — and the fact that both finalists, including three-time NCAA champion Zain Retherford graduated — helped Kolodzik ascend to the #1 spot in the preseason rankings for InterMat, FloWrestling, WIN Wrestling Magazine, and the Open Mat.
For more information on the All-Star Classic, including how to purchase tickets, click here.
There just isn't anybody ranked above him.
Matthew Kolodzik is the first Princeton wrestler ranked #1 in the preseason this century, and he'll make his unofficial Princeton debut next Friday, Nov. 2, at the 2018 NWCA All-Star Classic. The two-time All-American and EIWA champion will face eighth-ranked Mitch Finesilver of Duke. While Finesilver would be a challenging opponent anywhere in the nation — he is a three-time NCAA qualifier with a 62-25 career record — the Blue Devil senior will be the lone competitor in the 2018 Classic who comes from Colorado.
Kolodzik experienced the home advantage last year, when Jadwin Gym served as the host of the 2017 All-Star Classic, and he built on that to another historic season for the Tigers. Kolodzik had plenty of highlights along the way, including a second-straight EIWA title, but nothing matched his NCAA Championships effort in Cleveland. Kolodzik took out #2 Brandon Sorenson (Iowa), #3 Grant Leeth (Missouri), #4 Troy Heilmann (North Carolina), and #6 Justin Oliver (Central Michigan) on his way to 3rd-place finish, Princeton's best since Greg Parker placed 2nd in 2002.
That finish — and the fact that both finalists, including three-time NCAA champion Zain Retherford graduated — helped Kolodzik ascend to the #1 spot in the preseason rankings for InterMat, FloWrestling, WIN Wrestling Magazine, and the Open Mat.
For more information on the All-Star Classic, including how to purchase tickets, click here.
Players Mentioned
/ Wrestling
Tuesday, November 04
Tuesday, June 04
Wednesday, June 22
Monday, June 06