Wrestling looks to replace grads

The Penn wrestling team may have lost three All-Americans from last year's squad, but according to coach Roger Reina, this season's Quakers are "capable and ready."

Penn is led by a trio of NCAA qualifiers -- Jody Giuricich, Mason Lenhard and Matt Feast.

Giuricich, the Quakers' captain, finished his 2001 campaign 15-6. Lenhard went 25-8, while Feast's record was 21-13.

The three will be depended upon heavily following the departures of Rick Springman, Joe Henson, Josh Henson and Ivy League wrestler of the year Yoshi Nakamura.

Last year's senior quartet boasted a combined record of 124-22. Nakamura and Josh Henson notched 36 wins apiece, setting the Penn single-season record for individual victories.

Reina, however, has faith that the 2002 Quakers have the wherewithal to approach -- or even duplicate -- last season's successes.

"We're very excited about the year," he said. "We'll be challenged in the fact that we lost three All-Americans, but at the same time, our guys are working hard. They're waiting in the wings."

Penn can expect a boost from its highly touted freshman class. The Quakers' Class of '06 headed Win-Magazine's list of recruits and were ranked in the top five by a number of other publications.

"I don't think anything's warranted yet," Penn freshman Matt Valenti said of the hype. "Paper's paper, and until we prove ourselves on the mat, that's all it is."

The 125-pound Valenti garnered two individual New Jersey state titles and was the national high school runner-up.

Matt Herrington and Christian Franco are two other freshmen to note.

Franco, who competes in the 149-157 pound weight class, won the 2002 Pennsylvania High School State Championship.

Herrington, in the 174 pound weight class, was a two-time high school state champion in New York. He set the national mark for career wins with 243 and earned a place on the Wrestling USA Dream Team.

According to Valenti, however, past successes mean little.

"The gap [between high school and college wrestling] is unbelievable," he said.

"It's tough coming in, not being known [and] having to make a name for yourself. But at the same time, it's nice being the underdog and having no expectations."

The Penn freshmen, along with the rest of the squad, will get a chance to test their mettle this weekend at the Michigan State Open.

The Quakers will face a lineup of opponents that includes Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio State and the host-Spartans.

"It's a good tournament," Reina said. "We get to face a lot of Big Ten schools and that's good to see from a scheduling standpoint.

"The Big Ten is well-known in wrestling. What's lesser known is that Penn has finished in the top half in competitions against Big Ten schools. We've competed successfully against them and outdeveloped many of them."

If there is one buzzword surrounding the season, it is development. For that reason, Reina is not overemphasizing the significance of the tournament in East Lansing.

"My main test is progress," he said. "There's no particular meet I have in mind.

"I think we're poised to be in a great position by the end of the season."

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