Keystone Classic title match revisited

In the young wrestling season, five Quakers have already squared up with Rider opponents. Four came away with wins.

But for the odd man out, senior Gabe Burak, Sunday’s dual meet with the Broncs will be more than just a rematch — it will be a chance for redemption.

At the Keystone Classic earlier this season, the top-seeded Burak lost 8-0 to Rider’s second-seeded Jim Resnick in the 165-pound final.

Despite the big point differential, Burak seems prepared to make sure things go differently this time around.

“Coach [Rob Eiter] and I looked at what I did wrong last match, and it was kind of obvious,” Burak said.

According to the senior, he must be sharp on his feet and defend well, especially when the No.12 Resnick is in the top position — one of Resnick’s strengths.

Burak also feels he will have to be the aggressor.

“I think I’m definitely in better shape than him, so [I] just [need to] take it to him and rely on the Lord for strength and just leave it all on the mat,” Burak said.

While Burak is confident that he will be successful Sunday, All-American senior Scott Giffin may not even get a chance to hit the mat. According to Eiter, the 174-pounder’s availability for the meet is on a “day-to-day basis.”

“He still has some nagging injuries that have been kind of holding him back a little bit,” Eiter added.

These injuries include shoulder and lower back issues dating back to last year, according to the coach.

Eiter acknowledged that Penn’s previous success against Rider — wins by Rollie Peterkin, Brad Wukie, Troy Hernandez and Mark Rappo in tournaments earlier this year — helped the team’s confidence. But as the coach added, “It’s also a motivating factor on the other side [for Rider].”

The Keystone Classic was one such tournament — the Quakers (2-2) took first place, while Rider (2-1) finished fourth in a twelve-team field.

“Seeing them beforehand helps from the standpoint of getting tendencies of what they do,” Eiter said. “But it’s not an overwhelming factor for winning the match.”

The heavyweight matchup this weekend will feature a battle between two true freshmen. Rider’s Evan Craig and Penn’s Kyle Cowan are both former high school state champions.

“It’ll be a good test for both kids,” Eiter said.

The 149-pound match pits two grapplers wrestling in an unfamiliar weight class. Rider sophomore Zac Cibula competed at 157 pounds last year while Penn freshman Andrew Lenzi, who is a 141-pounder, has been filling in for the injured Troy Hernandez.

Penn and Rider both sent wrestlers to the Nittany Lion Open at Penn State last weekend, but the teams never crossed paths.

At the tournament, Senior Zach Kemmerer placed second at 141 pounds, and Giffin placed third.

Going into the tournament, the team focused on wrestling in the top and bottom positions, and Eiter felt the team made progress at the tournament.

But the Quakers are ready to move on to their next challenge.

“They’re definitely a good program, a good team, [and] that’s why we’re wrestling them,” Eiter said.

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