SEASON PREVIEW: Wrestlers want ranking

Loaded with talent and desire, the Penn wrestling team is looking beyond the confines of the Ivy League and seeking to become a national power. The Quakers' goal is to end with a top-20 ranking in Division I, a feat it just missed last year. "We beat teams that were nationally ranked," Penn coach Roger Reina said. "We want to take it to the next level this year." The first test to gauge whether the Quakers are an up-and-coming national power or just an Ivy power will come tomorrow at the East Stroudsburg Open. Besides an assortment of Ivy League teams, national powers such as No. 3 Penn State will be in the competition. "It's going to give us a really good idea of what our strengths are," Reina said. "I think we're going to see improved performances from upperclassmen and we'll also see the freshmen in action for the first time." Last year the squad went 18-6 overall, 6-2 in the EIWA, and 5-0 in the Ivy League. Most of Penn's top performers return this year, including all four of its first-team all-Ivy League selections -- senior co-captains Gary Baker and Brian Butler, junior Joey Allen and sophomore Brandon Slay. Baker, Allen and Slay were all ranked nationally. "We have reason to believe we've attracted the talent and our athletes have the work ethic to achieve that goal, which is a pretty lofty goal," Reina said. For the second consecutive year, Penn has been ranked in the top 20 in recruiting. Last year's class included Slay, who became the Ivy League Rookie of the Year. The new freshman class is headlined by high school All-American Ben Hatta, who was the state champion in Ohio. Two of the top incoming freshmen should feel right at home at Penn. Jeremy Bailer joins his brother Josh, while Dan Butler competes with his brother, Brian, on the Penn squad. "We're better off than last year," junior co-captain Brian Eveleth. "The incoming freshmen look really good. They're pushing everyone on the team. We're right there on a national level." And if the Quakers are right about being on a national level, then other accolades will come their way. Penn is hoping to win the Easterns and to produce collegiate All-Americans. Last year, Penn finished sixth of 14 teams at the Easterns. This year there is a feeling of invincibility. "I think we have a really good chance," Eveleth said. "We just have to work hard this year. It will be a real disappointment if we don't win it." But to accomplish these lofty goals, the Quakers must first win the Ivy League. The wrestlers feel winning the Ivy League, which the Quakers did last year, is assumed if they are going to finish in the top 20. Said Butler, "We're all people with a common goal -- to be the best -- not in the Ivies, but in the nation."