Wrestlers hope to take down Bears

The Quakers will be making their home debut this weekend, and the change of venue could not have come at a better time. After seeming to be nearly unbeatable this season, Penn (7-3, 2-1 EIWA) fell back to earth in a hurry after it was rocked by Cornell last weekend. Along with the loss, the Quakers' goals of repeating as Ivy Champs and becoming a top-20 team were put in jeopardy. With that in mind, the Quakers feel they need a sweep of their three dual meets this weekend to get back on the right track. But to do that, Penn needs to slay Brown, currently ranked No. 1 in the EIWA and No. 22 nationally, at the Palestra Saturday (1:30 p.m.). "They're definitely the team to beat in the conference this season, but I don't want to think about matchups or anything of that nature," Penn coach Roger Reina said. "What I really want to see is our varsity wrestlers wrestle with a hundred percent intensity, a hundred percent of the time -- nothing less." Before the main event Saturday, the Quakers will have to dispatch with Harvard (2-4, 1-2), the weak sister of the Ivy League, and Rutgers (6-2, 2-2), a team that shocked the Quakers last year with an upset win. Both meets take place today at Hutch Gym (3 p.m.). "I don't think we're overlooking the Harvard and Rutgers match," sophomore Brandon Slay said. "But Brown is definitely the biggest match this year." The Bears (10-1, 1-0) present many challenges for the Quakers because they have an entire crew of wrestlers ranked at the top of the EIWA. Hitting leadoff for the Quakers will be senior co-captain Gary Baker at 118. Baker, who was a unanimous first-team All-Ivy selection last year, was shocked last week when he lost a 3-2 decision to Cornell. Although he was coming off both rib and knee injuries, the senior co-captain knows he must overcome his physical problems. "My match is a big match," Baker said, who might be facing Mike Mulroney, the No. 3 wrestler in the EIWA. "I've got to get everyone going. I'm kind of the spark plug." Other matches to look out for will be at 126 and at 190. Junior co-captain Brian Eveleth will be challenging Dave Gustovich, who is ranked No. 2 in the EIWA, at 126. And in what looks to be the best match of the day, senior co-captain Brian Butler will square off at 190 against Paul Fitzpatrick, who is No. 1 in the EIWA and ranked 12th in the country. "I think everyone has to wrestle like they have been taught," Butler said. "I think everyone has to wrestle with their hearts. Personally, I have to wrestle for me and the other nine men whose butts are on the line. The people who work in the circle for everyone to see have to perform." Before the Brown face-off, Butler will have a chance to make Penn history. With one more victory, he will have the most career wins of any Quakers wrestler, surpassing Adam Green's (class of '93) record of 87 wins. His first opportunity will likely come against Crimson wrestler Dan Vandermyde. "I've been thinking a lot about when I take the mat against Harvard," Butler said. "It's going to be for everyone?.It's for all the people who got me to where I am. With that kind of support behind me, I can't lose. It's impossible."