Wrestling focused on Central Michigan after missing major tourney

After barely falling short of the National Dual Meet Championships, the Quakers look to this weekend. It'll be Mount Pleasant, Mich., on Saturday and Ypsilanti on Sunday. Maui is conspicuously absent from the itinerary. The Penn wrestling team will leave the balmy sands of Hawaii and the January 2 Aloha Classic far behind as they face No. 8 Central Michigan on Saturday and Eastern Michigan on Sunday. "We had our first taste of dual meets in Hawaii, but the competition was not anything like we'll face against Central Michigan," senior tri-captain Andrei Rodzianko (197 lbs.) said. "This is the perfect time for our team to step up." To that end, the Quakers have undergone two weeks of intense, technically-focused practices. · The No. 19 Quakers (3-0) were idle last weekend while 16 of the nation's elite teams took part in the National Dual Meet Championships. "We're definitely disappointed that we couldn't be there," sophomore standout Yoshi Nakamura (157 lbs.) said. "We belong with the top teams in the country." The tournament, arguably the most prestigious in the nation, was hosted January 17-18 by fourth-ranked Iowa State. The Oklahoma State Cowboys, ranked first in the country by the National Wrestling Coaches Association, emerged victorious. The Quakers participated in the grueling affair in each of the past two seasons but failed to requalify for 1999. "Personally, it is a very frustrating thing," Penn coach Roger Reina said. "I spent a lot of time on the Internet watching the results and knowing that we could be challenging." The Quakers squad narrowly missed qualification based on both criteria used by the meet. A win in its last match against West Virginia at the championship last year would have earned an automatic bid. Also, Penn fell just short of a chance to compete based on the other criterion -- projected starters. "I find it ironic," Reina said. "We are a team that is better prepared to compete there this year, but we don't get the chance." All disappointments aside, junior tri-captain Brett Matter (149 lbs.) probably best summed up the team's opinion of the National Dual Meet. "There's no use crying over spilled milk," Matter said. · Amid the joy the Quakers must have felt at Rodzianko's victory at Midlands on December 30, some must have taken notice of one other wrestler -- Casey Cunningham of Central Michigan. Cunningham, the nation's No. 2 157-pounder garnered Most Outstanding Wrestler honors at the talent-infested meet. "The award was a big surprise because Casey lost a match," Chippewas coach Tom Borelli told Central Michigan Sports Information. "It shows how much the other coaches respect him." Nakamura, Penn's counter to Cunningham, has great respect for his opponent. That esteem, however, is tempered by a burning desire for victory. "He's a good wrestler, but I am totally confident in my ability to beat him this time," Nakamura said. "Coach has led me through some film of him, and I've seen where I need to improve." Nakamura has fallen to Cunningham twice. He lost once last year to the Chippewas star and was routed 10-1 at the Penn State Open this season. I let that match get away from me," Nakamura said. "I know that I'll come out more intensely this time." The Quakers faithful have every reason to believe Nakamura. The unseeded sophomore placed fifth at Midlands and went 8-2. He followed that with an undefeated performance in Hawaii. "The coaching staff knows that Yoshi can beat anybody in the country," Reina said. · Reina and his staff have taken some laudable steps on the way to building a stellar 1999 recruiting class. Two high school All-Americans -- Kyle O'Neil from Andrew High in Tinley Park, Ill., and Chris Brizzi from Ramsey, N.J. -- were admitted early to Penn and will compete for the Quakers next season. "I feel that both of these guys will make a significant impact right away," Reina said. O'Neil placed third in the Illinois State Championship at 125 lbs. as a junior. His prep record is 130-8. He should enter the Palestra at the 133-lb. weight class. Brizzi has amassed an exemplary high school record of 100-7. Reina expects him to wrestle at 141 lbs., attempting to fill the outgoing shoes of senior tri-captain Mark Piotrowsky. Rounding out the Quakers' early-decision class are Chris Hanlon, Ryan Anderson and Patrick Hu. Hanlon, a native of Baltimore completing a post-graduate year at The Hill School, placed third in the National Prep Championships last season. Anderson is currently ranked No. 2 in the state of New Jersey and is expected to wrestle at either 141 or 149 pounds for the Quakers.