Quakers ready to pin competition

Last year, the Penn wrestling team began the season with one ranked wrestler. By the end of the season, seven wrestlers had climbed to national prominence.

Last year, the Penn wrestling team began the season unranked by many publications. By the end of the season, the Quakers were ranked as high as 16th .

With the 2003 season opening this weekend, Penn's wrestling team believes the type of drastic improvement is possible again.

"Last year our goal was to be the fastest developing team in the nation," coach Roger Reina said. "We met our goal last year and we're looking to continue that pace of development."

The remarkable rate of progress seen last year, though, may be slightly more difficult to attain this season, especially considering where Penn will start the season this year.

As opposed to one ranked wrestler on opening weekend of last year, at this Sunday's ninth annual Keystone Classic, six of Penn's wrestlers will be ranked.

In addition, the Quakers have improved significantly upon their place in the team rankings, or lack thereof, at the start of the 2002 season. Going into this weekend's meet at the Palestra, Penn is ranked as high as 12th in the nation.

Reina, though, remains determined to improve.

"The fact is we're starting in a different position," Reina said. "But our goal is the same -- to develop at a rapid rate."

Eleven teams will be participating in this weekend's meet, including Hofstra, a team ranked as high as fourth in the nation. Junior Matt Feast, ranked as high as fifth in the nation in the heavyweight division, knows that the team must be focused on Hofstra.

"Our main goal is to beat Hofstra and win this tournament, and that'll take a whole team effort," Feast said.

The Quakers have a legitimate chance of defending their Keystone crown against the higher-ranked opponent. Three of Penn's six ranked wrestlers enter the weekend in the top 10 of their respective divisions.

Matching Feast's lofty ranking is senior Doug McGraw, ranked as high as fifth in the 141-pound weight class, and Matt Valenti, ranked as high as seventh in the 125-pound weight class.

For Feast, his improvement all the way to fifth in the heavyweight division is the result of more than just natural skills.

"I think my conditioning is excellent right now," Feast said. "I'm just going to lay it all out there and hope for the best."

Reina echoed Feast's emphasis of practice and tenacity.

"Strength training is a big part of the offseason," Reina said.

"We've worked hard on a high level of conditioning, so we're all entering [the weekend] with a lot of confidence and excitement. I think we've had a very productive preseason."

When asked what made the preseason so productive, Reina replied with a two-word answer that will undoubtedly characterize the upcoming season.

"Hard work."

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