Penn wrestling won't ease its way into the season - instead, it will jump in against four top-20 teams. The Quakers travel to East Lansing, Mich., this weekend for the Michigan State Open and the start of a promising season.
The steep competition - including No. 7 Michigan, No. 10 Northwestern, No. 15 Ohio State and No. 17 Michigan State - will give the 14th-ranked Quakers a quick gut check, but senior captain Rob Hitschler knows the team is ready for Saturday. "We have been training real hard in the room, and it's time to go wrestle some other guys" Hitschler said. "We want to beat up somebody different."
Coach Zeke Jones is excited to get his second season with Penn underway. Jones' veteran team will be captained by defending NCAA champion Matt Valenti and All-American Matt Herrington.
Winning will always be at the forefront for the strong Quakers team, but the first match will also serve as a barometer.
"We definitely want to compete, but, at the same time, it's going to give us a lot of feedback," Jones said. "It will let us know what we need to work on and what to focus on in practice."
The first match should also help Jones set his starting roster. In the early season, he has the luxury of starting multiple wrestlers in each of the 10 weightclasses. Come league play, Jones will have to cut that down to one wrestler per class.
A key element in that decision will be how to utilize a talented freshman class. Last year's team started four newcomers.
"This year, there may be one or two freshmen starting, but it's a little early to set the lineup in stone," Jones said. "We'll be able to use this weekend to give us feedback."
For those freshmen, the taste of a collegiate match will make for a memorable weekend.
"I remember being nervous before my first match, but, once I got out there, it felt the same as always," recalled Hitschler.
The captain is not worried about how this year's crop will perform.
"The freshmen will be fine," Hitschler said. "They have a lot of guys around who are supporting them."
The freshmen surely appreciate the confidence of the upperclassmen, as Penn wrestling stresses a team component. Jones says the team dynamic is evident during the matches.
"Winning is contagious," Jones said. "Your teammates are watching you wrestle, and there is certainly a team energy. You want to win and hand off the baton to the next guy to keep it up and compete."
When the wrestlers step onto the mat for the first time this Sunday, they'll be competing for themselves, the team and a successful season.
