This weekend, the Penn wrestling team's odyssey -- which this season has already included stops in Evanston, Ill., and Dallas -- continues as the Quakers travel to Cleveland, Ohio, for the prestigious Cliff Keen National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) National Duals.
Penn has not hosted a match since its season-opening upset victory against Wisconsin. Nevertheless, junior heavyweight co-captain Matt Feast believes that the road trips, which have and will continue to pit them against the nation's top programs, are good for the team.
"We're not afraid to travel across the country to find the competition we need to wrestle at the top level," Feast said.
The Quakers (2-2), ranked 20th by the NWCA, will need to perform at their collective peak tomorrow morning if they want to knock off No. 4 Iowa State.
The Cyclones (11-1)are led by three wrestlers ranked in the top-four nationally in their weight classes. Zach Roberson is second at 133 pounds, while Nate Gallick and Trent Paulson are ranked fourth in their classes at 141 and 149 pounds, respectively. Penn junior Doug McGraw, ranked 13th nationally at 141 pounds, will not make the trip.
Penn sophomore Matt Eveleth, junior Shawn Protz and freshman Rob Hitschler, respectively, will take on their nationally-ranked counterparts.
Feast thinks this weekend's first competitor will be similar to another team Penn faced earlier in the year.
"They're comparable to Michigan, but I would give Iowa State the edge," he said.
Then-No. 6 Michigan beat Penn, 28-16, Jan. 3.
The Quakers will have to rely on another strong performance from sophomore Matt Valenti (125 pounds). Valenti has been the team's strongest performer to date, as his 21 dual meet points lead the squad.
Sophomore Matt Herrington, who is ranked 13th nationally at 174 pounds, is also favored going into his match.
The National Duals have attracted a competitive field featuring several teams from wrestling's hotbed of the Midwest, including No. 1 Oklahoma State.
The 16-team tournament consists of a winner's bracket and a consolation bracket, so Penn is guaranteed at least two matches, should it lose in the first round against Iowa State.
In the second round, the Quakers could face No. 19 Northern Iowa, a relatively unfamiliar opponent, or they could match up against No. 9 Penn State, a team that Penn has met in tournament competition over recent years.
After returning from Cleveland, the Quakers will finally get another home match, as defending Ivy League champion Cornell -- along with Columbia -- will visit the Palestra on Jan. 31.
