For reigning NCAA champion Matt Valenti, it will be impossible to improve on last year's results.
But for this year's wrestling team, a top-20 ranking means that Valenti is not the only one who will compete strongly at the national level.
Penn's most competitive sport in the NCAA begins this season ranked No. 14 in the country in the USA Today Coaches' Poll. In a recent EIWA media poll, Penn was picked third in the division behind No. 9 Cornell and No. 21 Lehigh.
The strong team rankings directly correlate to the respect that individual Quakers wrestlers are getting.
Sophomore Matt Dragon and senior Matt Herrington join Valenti as the preseason favorites at their respective weight divisions in the EIWA. Valenti competes in the 133-pound weightclass, Dragon at 149 and Herrington at 174. Valenti is the national favorite at his position; Herrington is second at his.
Several other Penn wrestlers made the top five rankings in the EIWA. This includes Gene Zannetti, Zack Shanaman, Lior Zamir and Cesar Grajales.
The Quakers hope that this preseason hype leads to in-season success.
In just his second year, coach Zeke Jones looks to lead his squad on another impressive run. Last year's team finished third in the EIWA and had an incredible 12th-place standing in the NCAA Tournament. Jones believes that his team's success will only increase with time.
"You have to adjust to the new environment," Jones said. "I am still learning the 'Penn way.'"
Penn should get a feel for its potential early in the season. On Nov. 12, the Quakers travel to East Lansing for the Michigan State Open. They come back home to the Palestra for the Keystone Classic, and then travel to Albany, N.Y., for the Northeast Duals. Trips to Las Vegas, Nev., and Cedar Falls, Iowa, soon follow.
But the question this year, as it has been for several years, is whether the Quakers are strong enough to challenge Cornell for the Ivy title.
Those who follow Penn wrestling already have the date circled on their calendars. Friday, Feb. 9 marks the showdown with Cornell in Ithaca, N.Y., one that the Quakers lost, 20-12, last year at the Palestra.
Beyond that, it remains to be seen if Penn can do what it has seemed poised to do for the last couple of years - overtake Lehigh, Cornell or both in the EIWA.
"I think there are four or five teams that have the potential of winning [the EIWA title]," Jones said. "Cornell is definitely the favorite right now," though.
The prospects for the season on the whole seem strong. The Quakers lost only four seniors, and this year's squad is stacked with young talent - six freshmen and two transfer students join the team.
And while a No. 14 preseason ranking is higher than any other Penn team in recent years, the Quakers are poised and eager to continue their ascent.
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