Until Dec. 17, the wrestling team had yet to live up to its potential and earn a big win. The Tigers (2-5) quieted the critics and quelled fears that their unusually young but talented squad would not be able to compete at a high level.
Princeton narrowly lost its first match that day against Drexel 18-17, but the Tigers recovered to defeat Bucknell, their tougher opponent and the host of the match, 18-16.
“I thought that both matches were winnable,” senior captain Travis Erdman said. “For some reason in our first match against Drexel, we didn’t wrestle as well as we should have.”
Erdman said that leading up to the meet, head coach Chris Ayres reminded the grapplers to stay focused and avoid taking mental breaks, which the coach said has happened in years past. The match took place on the same day that classes ended for the fall semester. When other students traveled home for the holidays, the wrestlers headed to Lewisburg, Pa., for the meet.
After losing by only one point to Drexel in the first match of the day, the Tigers knew they could have done better.
“When it comes down to it, we just didn’t really wrestle up to expectations,” Erdman said.
While Princeton had a break when Drexel wrestled Bucknell in the second shift of the meet, Ayres took the opportunity to motivate the team.
“Coach basically took us aside and reminded us that we still had one more match and lectured us on how we can’t just take that match off too,” Erdman said. “It was really important for us to put the first match aside and win the second, and we did that.”
The Tigers knew it would be a difficult match after Bucknell defeated Drexel 34-9. They responded with their best showing of the season to beat their hosts 18-16. Last year, the Tigers lost 38-6 to Bucknell.
In both matches, the Tigers risked a forfeit at 165 pounds, which would have allowed their opponents automatically gain six points. Sophomore Jason Ott jumped up two weight classes from 149 pounds to wrestle in that spot. Though he lost both matches, he saved the Tigers three points, which would have made the difference against Bucknell.
Freshman Brandon Rolnick posted one of the most impressive performances of the day in his match against Bucknell’s Kevin LeValley at 149 pounds. LeValley is ranked No. 3 in the nation at 149 pounds and was a 2010 All-American.
“He ended up losing, but it was a neck-and-neck match,” Erdman said.
The win against Bucknell allowed the Tigers to leave for winter vacation on a high note.
“This year, they’re pushing a top-30 team,” Erdman said of Bucknell. “It was really cool to beat them just because we know they’re a good team. More than anything, it proved to our youngest guys ... that we can wrestle with the best guys in the nation.”
Erdman said Ayres was more than satisfied with the result. “I know that winning that dual meet made his entire Christmas,” he said.
The team had a week off but returned to campus Dec. 26 for practice leading up to the Southern Scuffle tournament, which was held Dec. 29 and 30 in Greensboro, N.C. Fifteen Tigers traveled to the meet, which included top teams from around the country.
“This tournament is really tough,” Erdman said. “The No. 1 team, Cornell, was there.”
The difficult team competition mattered less at this tournament, however, than at the dual meet earlier in the break.
“It’s more about how individuals are wrestling,” Erdman said. “We’re not really concerned with team scores.”
Last year, the Tigers finished 29th overall and no individual wrestlers placed. This time, Princeton improved its team finish to 23rd, led by two individuals who placed eighth.
Sophomore Garrett Frey, who is currently ranked No. 11 in the nation at 125 pounds, lost a close match in overtime to the No. 3 wrestler in his weight class by a score of 8-6. He suffered a minor injury in a later match that forced him to forfeit his final match and settle for eighth place.
Junior Daniel Kolodzik also placed eighth. He won three matches on the first day but lost in overtime to Paul Young of Indiana, who went on to compete in the 157-pound championship match.
“Overall, I think we wrestled pretty well,” Erdman said. “Some of our younger guys are just getting acclimated to college wrestling."
For Erdman, the win against Bucknell was still the highlight of the season thus far.
“It was a confidence-builder going into the dual-meet part of the season, which we’re approaching now,” Erdman said.
Princeton heads out of town to take on Clarion and Franklin & Marshall this weekend for its first matches of the new year.
Read More
Jalen Travis ’24 selected by Indianapolis Colts in fourth round of NFL Draft
Alex Beverton-SmithWith his selection in the fourth round of the NFL Draft, Jalen Travis ’24 becomes the highest-ever drafted Princeton football player.
With his selection in the fourth round of the NFL Draft, Jalen Travis '24 becomes the highest-ever drafted Princeton football player.
Women’s lacrosse downs Dartmouth, secures Ivy League top seed
Lily PampolinaAfter a 15–11 win over Dartmouth, Princeton turns its attention to the Ivy League Tournament where it will be the No. 1 seed.
After a 15–11 win over Dartmouth, Princeton turns its attention to the Ivy League Tournament where it will be the No. 1 seed.
‘An obvious yes’: Senior goalkeeper Tyler McCamey joins Gotham FC on short-term deal
Leila Eshaghpour-SilbermanPrinceton goalkeeper Tyler McCamey joins the NWSL’s Gotham FC on a short-term contract.
Princeton goalkeeper Tyler McCamey joins the NWSL’s Gotham FC on a short-term contract.