Adeniyi-Bada plans to 'beat not win'

The Quakrs' Bendele Adeniyi-Bada is determined to make a big impact when Penn's wrestling team travels to Cornell. The message on the inside of Bandele Andeniyi-Bada's locker is short and sweet. It reads: "Beat not Win." The succinct message characterizes his attitude well. After last week's 16-16 tie with national power Central Michigan, where the Penn senior heavyweight could have clinched a Quakers victory with a major decision against Jack Leffler, he is no longer content with just winning. "I think that I'm at the point where I need to start dominating and beating people down," Adeniyi-Bada said. "You can ask anybody on the team and they'll tell you that I love the physical part of wrestling. Winning is always the main thing, but if I can add a little pain, that's fine." Perhaps the big man is so keyed up because of tomorrow's opponent -- Seth Charles of Cornell. Adeniyi-Bada defeated the Big Red grappler at last year's dual meet between the two Ivy rivals. Charles avenged that defeat at the 1998 EIWA championships. "His match against Charles matters because it's against a quality opponent and it matters because it'll be in a tight dual meet," Penn coach Roger Reina said. "More than that, they both know they've split the last two, and he needs to be ready for that." With a successful season, Adeniyi-Bada has proven himself worthy of a No. 9 national ranking. He earned titles at both the Ivy Kickoff and the Keystone Classic, went 3-0 at the Aloha Classic and made short work of his opponents on Penn's recent Michigan swing. "Consistency is the true mark of a champion," Reina said. "He has a chance to start proving that against Cornell." After taking criticism from Reina for not garnering precious team points by claiming bigger wins against inferior opponents, watch for Adeniyi-Bada to come out quickly against Charles in Ithaca. "I need to start beating him up physically and mentally from the start," Adeniyi-Bada said. · Tri-captain Andrei Rodzianko (197 lbs.) has declined to participate in the invite-only 1999 NWCA All-Star Classic. Rodzianko's prospective opponent, No. 3 Lee Fullhart of Iowa, has also declined. The Management and Technology senior withdrew for academic and scheduling reasons. · For most of America, the name Dave Schultz conjures up only foggy memories of a deranged multi-millionaire and the tragic demise of a great amateur athlete. For the Penn wrestling program, Dave Schultz is as real and powerful as he was before his death on January 26, 1996, three years ago Tuesday. "He was my mentor," said Penn assistant coach Brian Dolph, who was coached by Schultz at Team Foxcatcher. "I moved out here to train with him, and he taught me and many others about wrestling and about life." Schultz's life and death comprise a story of mythic proportions. He was a three-time All-American, the 1984 Olympic gold medalist and a four-time World Cup Champion. At the time of his death, Schultz was still No. 1 in the U.S. at 163 pounds. "He was a truly great ambassador for the sport," Reina said. "He was the Michael Jordan of wrestling." The world champion was tragically gunned down by eccentric millionaire John DuPont, a man who had often supported Schultz and other American wrestlers. Much to the dismay of Schultz's widow Nancy and their young children, DuPont was only convicted of third-degree murder and may be released in less than 10 years. Schultz continues to play a visible role in Dolph's life. Dolph has the initials "D.L.S." -- David Lesly Schultz -- tattooed underneath his right arm to commemorate the death of his great friend. Dolph, a frequent member of the U.S. National Team, also wrestles under the banner of the Dave Schultz Wrestling Club when he competes in major tournaments. Penn also plays a major role in the Dave Schultz Club. Penn serves as one of four regional training sites for the club, and a number of unattached wrestlers use the Quakers' facilities to train for elite competition. "The club was started by Nancy just after Dave's death," Reina said. "At that time Brian Dolph and a number of other guys who had been training with him were gearing up for the Olympic trials. She started the club to help those guys pursue their dreams to win Olympic gold." The club has grown considerably since its founding in March 1996. It has finished in the top three at numerous world championship-caliber tournaments and it continues to provide travel and equipment expenses for its top wrestlers. "It's a non-profit organization that raises money to fund people's competition," Dolph said. "You hope that people can remember all that he taught about being easy-going and generous and kind." Penn ought to be proud to be part of such a legacy. · Rick Springman is well on his way to being named an All-American. "I think he's one of the most determined people I have ever met," Dolph said. "When I'm working with him, he's like a sponge. I think he's put himself where, if he has a great tournament, he can be the national champion." The Quakers 165-pounder put on a show at Central Michigan. After splitting his two previous meetings with CMU's No. 15 Chris Snyder by margins of one and two points, most expected the rubber match to be a squeaker. Instead, the nation's No. 9 took the match into his own hands. Springman thumbed his nose at the 1,000 astonished fans at CMU and won a major decision, 13-2. "Rick proved that he could extend himself to a point we haven't seen before," Reina said. "I was confident he could win, but I didn't expect what he came through with."