The Penn wrestling team took an easy 26-5 victory over Virginia Tech on Sunday, but don't think the Quakers have it all figured out yet. The team saw deficiencies from the top and bottom positions.
With few exceptions, the team had difficulty controlling their opponent from the top, and were incapable of turning their opponents.
Coach Zeke Jones expressed a need for the team to focus on leg riding during practices.
Jones also felt the team lacked intensity.
"When pushed they didn't score, they got scored on," Jones said. "We needed to separate ourselves . and keep on scoring . we didn't do that."
More inspiring was one of the evening's most exciting matches, when Penn heavywieght Trey McLean faced off against Tech's Cody Gardner.
McLean, a junior transfer, was recruited out of the Olympic Training Center by Jones after leaving the Air Force Academy. Tech's Gardner was the No. 1 overall recruit in the nation coming out of high school.
Trailing for the first two periods, McLean tied the score in the third with a crafty escape move.
"I've worked that escape for years," he said.
In overtime McLean's conditioning played a determining factor as he went on the offensive.
With the finals seconds of the first overtime period winding down, McLean scored a takedown.
"We were both really tired . I didn't want to take the shot [because of physical exhaustion], but I just made the decision and went in," McLean said.
McLean clinched the match by using an under-hook to set up a single-leg takedown, which he finished with a double-leg.
"I worked that position during the match . I had it a few times, but didn't go for it," said McLean of his stunning finish.
McLean may have won the match, but he also realizes his need to improve upon his mat wrestling.
"In freestyle I've trained with the best in the world," McLean said. "I've been focused on freestyle and need to make the shift back to collegiate.
"I need to work on the bottom . and my escapes," McLean continued. "I can't let guys get legs in and break me down."
Despite their dominance in the match, the relatively young Quakers team remains untested.
According to coach Jones, the team used the meeting to help prepare for the Las Vegas Invitational later this week, which will surely be the Quakers' first real test of the season.
