NOTEBOOK: Undefeated Wrestling has special blend of team chemistry

The Penn wrestling team has definitely asserted itself as one of the best teams in the nation. Last Sunday, with wins against Princeton and George Mason at the Palestra, the Quakers capped an undefeated regular season -- something that hasn't happened since long before any of the members of this year's squad were even born -- and secured its fourth Ivy League title in a row. Coupled with their first victory in over 40 years at the gym of fellow national contender Lehigh, the Quakers are now almost guaranteed a top-15 ranking at the end of the postseason. While it takes a lot of ability to go undefeated and hold a top-20 ranking, most people familiar with college athletics -- including Penn coach Roger Reina -- would agree that both feats take more than pure skill. "I think these guys know that they have something special going," Reina said of his athletes. "They know they have some tremendous talent but have learned along the way that talent by itself doesn't get the job done." So what is it that has added to the talent of the team and has kept the Quakers on top all season long? It very well could be the different personalities of the team members that work together to keep the team focused during the long season. · The Quakers' practice room in Hutchinson Gym, like any college wrestling practice room, is an intense place during the team work-out, with every wrestler focused on improving. "When there's work to do, everyone's on the same page," tri-captain Brett Matter (149 lbs.) said. But before and after practice, the dynamics of the team emerge. "There's around 30 guys on the team and we don't want them all to have the same personality," Matter said. "We're definitely a close-knit team but there's a whole different array of personalities." · The quiet leaders on the squad, according to Matter, are fellow captains Mark Piotrowsky (141 lbs.) and Andrei Rodzianko (197 lbs.). Matter and James Brennan (133 lbs.), another Penn wrestler, also named Justin Bravo (125 lbs.) in this category. "Justin's really determined -- pretty focused deep down," Brennan said. "I think he loves wrestling the most out of anybody on the starting squad." · Opposite the team's silent leaders are the jokers, who Matter said play an important role in the team's morale. "When times get tough during the season, it's good to have guys who joke around and loosen things up," he said. Some of the guys who are always good for a laugh are Tim Ortman (150 lbs.), Yoshi Nakamura (157 lbs.) and Bandele Adeniyi-Bada (275 lbs.). "[Ortman] is who we call the 'pitcher' of the team," Matter said with a laugh. "He will be glad to make fun of anyone on the team but when it comes back to him he just can't take it." Nakamura, according to Matter, is always upbeat and always has something funny to say. Adeniyi-Bada has been coined "The Clueless Wonder" by many of his teammates. "We call him that because he's always kind of there and you never really know what he's thinking," Matter said. "He's a joker more than most of the guys though." · The unique quirks of some of the wrestlers also help loosen up the intensity of practice and give the team something to joke about. Rick Springman (165 lbs.) is one of those wrestlers. "[Springman] can be an intense guy," Matter said. "He sometimes gets into a zone where he doesn't talk to people. He just seems to crawl into his own little hole." Nakamura also pointed out Springman's phobia of germs, "which is pretty messed-up considering he's a wrestler," he said, smiling. "He won't share soap with anybody," Nakamura said. "And if he's showered and you haven't and you touch him, he freaks out and threatens to kill you." · There's no question that the undefeated Penn squad is made up of talented competitors. Complementing this talent, though, is the personal dynamic of the team, which has helped Penn keep working through the high intensity of the practice room and all of its matches. "It's real important to have the different personalities on the team," Matter said. "Everyone has a role to play in this area."