Klitzman | Backs on the mat - though not for long

With an individual record of 8-16, an overall finish of 34th and zero All-Americans at this year's NCAA Championships, it might seem that the Penn Wrestling team is in a bit of a rut.

And looking at the numbers, it's true that this year's tournament was disappointing, especially after two straight years with a national champion. It marked the first time since 1996 that Penn had no All-Americans.

So does this mean a drought - like the stretch from '65 to '96 that lacked a single All-American - is on the horizon for Penn wrestling?

That doesn't seem to be the case.

There's no doubt that Penn's output in the NCAAs was poor. Penn coach Zeke Jones said as much, calling the performance disappointing and tough at various times throughout the weekend.

But Jones also believes this season wasn't worthless.

"We had a lot of successful moments this season," he said. "While this moment may leave a bad taste in our mouths, it should motivate everyone.

"What we're going to take away from this tournament is experience," Jones added. "We've got eight guys back, so hopefully they will improve. It's only a mistake if you don't learn from it."

While Jones didn't choose to call this year a rebuilding one, he did believe that next year will be better.

"I think we have a moment where we have an opportunity to be really successful next year," he said. "But only if we get our work in."

Going forward, the Quakers don't look like they'll lose too much. They will only graduate three wrestlers, Rob Hitschler, Vince Cina and Lior Zamir. Zamir technically has another year of eligibility, but he will leave after graduating in May.

And of those three, only Hitschler and Zamir started, so Penn will only lose two of its starting 10 next year.

Seven of the eight wrestlers who qualified for the NCAAs are returning next year. And both of the two Quakers who advanced the furthest in this year's championship - junior Zack Shanaman and sophomore Rollie Peterkin - will return. These two were both a win away from All-American status in St. Louis.

"Zack and Rollie are going to be big factors next year," Jones said. "I see them taking leadership roles.

"[But] I think we can have more than two leaders next year. Every one of our underclassmen has a chance to be a leader next season."

In addition to Peterkin and Shanaman, Jones foresees all of his current underclassmen doing well.

"They are all capable of winning championships, both conference and national," he said.

Freshman Zack Kemmerer, who was listed as a top incoming freshman regardless of weightclass by some publications, didn't see any action this year. Next year, Kemmerer will get a chance to wrestle at 141 or possibly 133.

So did this year end poorly? Yes. But will Penn be down and out for long? Don't count on it.

Zach Klitzman is a sophomore history major from Bethesda, Md. His e-mail address is klitzman@dailypennsylvanian.com.

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