Wrestlers face best in nation

Every team needs experience to improve. And that improvement comes fastest when the team faces the best possible competition. The Penn wrestling team knows this theory and practices it. In order to prepare itself for the more important matches that come later in the season, coach Roger Reina's squad is opening its season by competing in tournaments against many other quality programs. The first such preparatory meet for the Quakers was two weeks ago, when they participated in the East Stroudsburg Open, which featured more than 460 wrestlers. Penn will make its second trip for experience Sunday, when it journeys to State College for the Penn State Open. "What we're attempting to do with better scheduling is be better prepared for the Eastern and national championships at the end of the year," Reina said. This weekend's event will be even better than East Stroudsburg -- although there will only be about 400 wrestlers, the talent level of the wrestlers will be higher. The Open will feature such national powers as Syracuse, Rutgers and North Carolina, as well as top-10 team Oklahoma and the host Nittany Lions, who in one poll are ranked No. 1 in the nation. "Real good competition," Penn sophomore Josh Bailer said. "We'll be facing a lot of tough opposition that we'll see later on in the season." Besides experience, Penn has a chance to gain something else this weekend. Facing such prestigious competition gives the Quakers a chance to develop a national reputation, both individually and as a team. Currently, four Penn wrestlers are ranked. Only two ranked Quakers, sophomore Brandon Slay and senior Brian Butler, are wrestling this weekend. There are also other Penn wrestlers, such as Bailer and junior Clinton Matter, that Reina feels have a chance to break into the rankings. "We have some wrestlers at that national level," Reina said. "This is an opportunity for them to climb the ladder. It's a great opportunity for some wrestlers to break into the rankings." While the strength of the meet also gives the team a chance to earn national respect, the Quakers must do it without some of their leaders. Co-captain Gary Baker is on a leave of absence and will not return until next semester, while junior Joey Allen is just returning from his duties on the football team. Co-captain Brian Eveleth is doubtful for the Open with a dislocated wrist. "We're going to need a lot of wrestlers to step up who haven't been competing at a national level," Reina said. "If enough do it, I think it's possible we could break into [the rankings]." Reina is not too worried about rankings at this point of the season. "Early season rankings are kind of meaningless," Reina said, adding that it's how a team is ranked at the end of the year that counts. But right now, Reina is more concerned about how Penn performs this weekend. The Quakers were generally satisfied with their effort at East Stroudsburg, but they failed to have any finalists. They hope to change that this weekend. "We competed fairly well," Reina said, "but we really felt there were individuals who could take a step nationally. We want people in the finals. We want at least one champion. That's something I think we're capable of."