Wrestling still on title track

The great unwritten book of sports states that after a key win a team is most susceptible to a letdown. Having defeated archrival Cornell a week before to put themselves in control of the Ivy League title race, the Penn wrestling team could have fallen into the trap. But the Quakers did not let it happen. Instead, the team picked up four dual-meet victories during a two-day tour of New England. On Friday, the Quakers (8-2, 4-0 Ivy) were in Providence, R.I., where they disposed of Brown. The squad then got on Route 2 and headed north to Boston, where they picked up three more victories against Harvard, Massachusetts-Lowell and Rutgers. Down 13-10 to Brown, the Quakers needed a spark. It was at just that point when 177-pound senior co-captain Clinton Matter, in his only match of the weekend, came through with a major decision, worth four points. That gave the Quakers a lead they would never relinquish, eventually triumphing 23-13 over the Bears, who as recently as last year were ranked first in the Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association. Harvard posed less of a challenge to Penn. Despite getting off to one of its best starts ever in winning its first five dual meets, the Crimson (1-1 Ivy League) fell to the Quakers, 29-6. The victory ensured Penn of at least a tie for the Ivy League title with just a weak Princeton squad left on the schedule. "It was a great weekend. As a team, one of our major goals was winning the Ivy League title," said sophomore Mark Piotowsky, who won all three of his matches in the 134-pound weight class, including a pin against UMass-Lowell. Despite their imminent coronation as champions of the Ivy League, the Quakers' season is far from complete. "Our focus is nationally," Penn coach Roger Reina said. "The Ivy League title is a part of everything we're trying to do -- attempting to break into the Top 20." Following the Harvard meet, the Quakers made quick work of their out-of-conference competition. Penn toppled the Scarlet Knights, 29-10, while the River Hawks could manage a scant nine points to Penn's 34. As could be expected of a four-win weekend, a number of Quakers distinguished themselves individually. Freshman Brett Matter continued to impress at the 142-pound level, registering three wins. Heavyweight Joey Allen registered two falls and remained undefeated this season. In addition, 134-pounder Sean O'Hara won major decisions in all his matches. With an Ancient Eight championship all but sealed, Reina's goal of a national ranking may soon be a reality.