Penn wrestling transitioned seamlessly from competing in tournaments to wrestling in duals, defeating Rider, 23-18, in their first dual meet of the season.
This marks the second straight year that Penn (3-2) has defeated Rider (3-3) in a dual.
The team got a big lift from “Team Dubz,” the self-named trio composed of Harrison Cook, Mark Rappo, and Rollie Peterkin. The three coined the nickname to represent their bond and what they strive for: “Dubz” for “Ws” or “Wins.” They lived up to the nickname, all getting wins and accounting for over half the Quakers’ team points.
Mark Rappo was the first to wrestle. He came through, giving Penn an early lead by defeating his opponent, 24-9, in a technical fall to win the 125-pound weight class and earn five team points.
No. 11 Rollie Peterkin, wrestling at 133 pounds, continued Rappo’s example by defeating his opponent in a major decision, 11-2, to earn four team points.
Finally, Harrison Cook stepped onto the mat and got a huge victory, shutting out his opponent and winning the 184-pound weight class by a score of 6-0.
Cook credited the guidance of assistant coach Kyle Cerminara for his victory.
“I was really confident going into the match knowing that I had coach Cerminara in my corner” Cook said.
Coach Eiter raved about Cook’s “workman-like” performance, saying “Cook sealed the dual meet for us and literally outworked his opponent in every position.”
Another highlight occurred in Gabriel Burak’s victory at 165 pounds. Burak was facing No. 12 Jim Resnick, who had defeated Burak 8-0 earlier in the season in the final of the Keystone Classic. Burak avenged his previous loss, defeating Resnick, 4-2.
“I looked at what I did wrong in that match and worked on those things. Also, coach and I talked about a strategy before the match.” Burak said.
The team also had victories from Zack Kemmerer at 141 pounds and No. 7 Micah Burak at 197 pounds.
The Quakers next compete on December 29, when they look to continue to rack up more “Dubz.”
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