OT: Wrestling

[Ben Doyle 03]

Yes. . .everyone that can make it should definitely come out and support the team! The new building is amazing and
when it gets rowdy in there it's almost like being in the rink (I swear, it's reallyreally loud:-) ).

[bigred apple]

A dominating 35-9 win over Princeton, but Clint Wattenberg, the #2 wrestler in the country at 184 was upset by the #6 wrestler.

http://cornellbigred.ocsn.com/sports/m-wrestl/recaps/020103aaa.html

[Al DeFlorio]

#9 Dustin Manotti lost at 149 to #4 Jake Percival of Ohio U. 8-4.  Percival had already beaten Manotti at National Duals.

#2 Clint Wattenberg came back from his upset loss Saturday against Princeton's Parker to pin #1 Jessman Smith of Iowa, apparently in a "wild scramble when it looked like Smith would get a takedown."

Travis Lee withdrew earlier because of the torn meniscus in his knee.

[ugarte]

Any word on how bad it is?  Torn meniscus does not sound like a "day to day" injury, it sounds like "see you next year."

[Al DeFlorio]

I've seen nothing specific, but you're right--torn menisci don't heal themselves very well, and it's too late for surgery before the NCAAs.  Knees are a prime target for takedown shots, and come under enormous strain throughout a wrestling match.  This sounds like a real bum deal for Travis.

[ugarte]

Big win for Clint Wattenberg, who rebounded VERY well from the loss in the Princeton meet.

http://cornellbigred.ocsn.com/sports/m-wrestl/spec-rel/020303aab.html

[Al DeFlorio]

A wrestling forum posting from a reliable observer said Wattenberg was ahead of Jessman Smith 6-0 when the "scramble" fall happened.

[ugarte]

#6 Cornell stayed perfect in the Ivies with a win over Columbia.  Big match coming up against #5 Lehigh.

Travis Lee didn't wrestle against Columbia (though we didn't need him) and his replacement lost.  I hope that he comes back soon.  (We might regret not having him against Lehigh.)

[Al DeFlorio]

The Lehigh match is pretty much over.  

Cornell's won 141, 149, and 184.  Lehigh's won 133, 157, 165, 174 and 194, and their heavyweight is now well ahead of our guy Bogumil.  It wouldn't surprise me if Lee doesn't wrestle the final match at 125, because the team match is already decided.

[Al DeFlorio]

Shoot.  Just noticed the match was televised on Fox Sports Pittsburgh.  125 pound match--last of the day--about to start.

[ugarte]

The NCAA Wrestling tournament begins today, and Cornell qualified wrestlers in 8 weight classes, including two projected to be All-Americans (Travis Lee at 125 and Clint Wattenberg at 184).

Can anyone think of a reason why the CU Athletics website doesn't mention this at all on the front page?  No article, and it isn't included on the schedule.

At least there is an article on the wrestling page.

http://cornellbigred.ocsn.com/sports/m-wrestl/spec-rel/031903aaa.html

[Al DeFlorio]

It was on the front page either this morning or yesterday--before the tennis and softball stuff was posted.

Lee claims to be 100% but his matches were closer than I would have expected in the EIWAs.  Both Lee and top-seeded Fleeger from Purdue are unbeaten this year.  Wattenberg has lost twice to Princeton's Greg Parker, both times losing late in the match, the second time in the EIWA title bout on a last minute pin.  If the seedings hold, they'll meet in the NCAA semifinals.

ESPN2 is showing the finals Saturday at 7pm EST, which I hope conflicts with a very important Cornell hockey game.;-)

[Rich Stamboulian]

Al,

How's Matt Greenberg doing?  He's an NJ kid, from Northern Highlands HS whom the paper here says is seeded #11 at 197.  He was 24-7 this year it says.

Thanks.

[ugarte]

He won the pigtail match in the morning.  Not sure when his second match is scheduled.  He qualified for the NCAAs last year also.

Here is his profile from the team site: http://cornellbigred.ocsn.com/sports/m-wrestl/mtt/greenberg_matt00.html

[Al DeFlorio]

Matt was runner-up in the EIWAs to Jon Trenge of Lehigh, who is ranked in the top two or three nationally.  He had a very successful season and has a good shot at a high finish in the NCAAs to qualify as an All-American.

Thanks for asking.