Wrestling pushed to Penn State by Reina

Penn coach Roger Reina has increased practice intensity for his athletes. As practice drew to a close yesterday, Penn wrestling coach Roger Reina rose his voice as he urged senior tri-captain Brett Matter to push harder. Reina could not care less whether Matter has been Penn's most consistently excellent wrestler so far this season. He doesn't fret over his victories at both the Ivy Kickoff Classic and at home on November 22 at the Keystone Classic. He is not concerned that the ego of the two-time NCAA qualifier and EIWA champion might be damaged. He only cares about pushing his team as hard as he can. "This may have been our most intense practice of the season," Reina said. "It's always our belief that no matter how tired you are, or how tough the challenge is, with a degree of mental toughness, you can always push it further." Matter seems to understand the method behind Reina's pushing. "I'm dead tired right now, but I know that we had a great practice," Matter said. "Everybody on this team knows that you always have to push yourself at all times." Next up for the Quakers is this Sunday's Penn State Open. The 300-plus competitor tournament will get underway at 9 a.m. in scenic Happy Valley and will pit the Penn wrestlers against some of the nation's best. "Central Michigan will be there, and they carry a No. 6 national ranking. Penn State carries a No. 4," Reina said. At the Penn State tournament, unlike at other bracketed competitions, absolutely anyone can enter the field. "You can face anybody," senior tri-captain Mark Piotrowsky (141 lbs.) said. "There might be a guy who just graduated and is competing internationally, who just wants an extra tournament." Although the field's quality may vary, many of the Quakers have a good idea of who they should expect to face near the finals. Matter's 149 lbs. class will include Jamarr Billman, the Penn State sophomore who was No. 2 in the preseason Intermat rankings. The Quakers, however, remains undaunted. "I was out last year, so I haven't wrestled him yet," Matter said. "I never go in to a tournament that I don't plan on winning." Piotrowsky was sidelined at the Keystone, much to his chagrin. As a result, the tri-captain is even more excited about improving on his second-place finish in the Ivy Kickoff Classic. "I know that [Penn State senior] Biff Walizer and a bunch of other tough guys will be there" Piotrowsky said. "I have to focus on staying on the offensive." Coming off a win at the Keystone, sophomore Yoshi Nakamura's (157) excitement is infectious. "Any win encourages you to keep on moving up the ladder," Nakamura said. "I feel really prepared. There's nothing stopping me now. I'm going to keep pushing my limits." The success of Nakamura and Penn sophomore Rick Springman (165) depend on their ability to overcome Central Michigan's imposing brothers Cunningham. Casey (157), No. 4 in the preseason rankings, defeated Nakamura last year at the Midlands Open 4-1. Ryan (165) is ranked No.1 and may vex Springman. Bandele Adeniyi-Bada (285) will try to extend his winning streak to three tournaments on Sunday, and Mike Fickell (197) will be vying for his second straight.