The Quakers definitely know what it means to have veteran leadership.
After Mark Rappo lost a heart-breaker to start the morning, the Quakers’ seniors went 6-0 in wrestlebacks including two sudden victory wins and have four wrestlers — Rollie Peterkin, Zack Kemmerer, and the Burak Brothers — reach the Round of 12 in Day 2 of the NCAA wrestling championship.
The day began ominously for the Quakers. Rappo was hit with two stalling penalties and his opponent Michael Martinez of Wyoming scored take down with eight seconds forcing overtime. With 12 seconds left in sudden victory, Martinez recorded another takedown to win the match.
However the seniors righted the Quakers’ All-American hopes.
Fifth-year senior Rollie Peterkin and Zack Kemmerer won decisively 10-1 and 6-4, respectively.
The elder Burak made it three wins on the afternoon in wrestlebacks with a tight 2-1 decision against No. 10 Zach Toal of Iowa. Burak, who was both controlled and efficient, ground out a 2-0 win, scoring with an escape in the second period and a recording point for riding time advantage.
The second straight positive morning was tempered only a bit when No. 6 Sophomore Micah Burak, the Quakers’ only grappler to start the day in the championship bracket, lost his quarterfinal match to No. 3 Trevor Brandvold 1-0.
Brandvold scored a second period escape and used his length to keep Burak at bay, meaning the sophomore will compete in the Round of Twelve, but still in contention for a third-place finish.
In the third round of wrestlebacks, which began in the afternoon, Peterkin faced a familiar foe No. 12 Kyle Hutter of Old Dominion. Peterkin had defeated the Hutter en route to a winning the Southern Scuffle in December.
Peterkin managed an escape and built a healthy two minute riding time advantage, but a Hutter takedown forced sudden victory. Peterkin scored a great takedown after taking control of Hutter’s leg to win 4-2.
Kemmerer followed Peterkin’s lead in going up against Joshua Kindig of Oklahoma State. Tied 2-2 entering the third period, Kemmerer scored a takedown and managed to negate Kindig’s riding time advantage.
The last matchup of the day for the Quakers pitted Burak against fellow Ivy rival Civan from Columbia. A Burak reversal and a Civan escape tied the match at two after three periods. A reverse by Burak and two back points in sudden victory sealed the match 6-3.
Remember to check back later tonight for an update in the fourth session of the NCAA wrestling championship.
The Daily Pennsylvanian is an independent, student-run newspaper. Please consider making a donation to support the coverage that shapes the University. Your generosity ensures a future of strong journalism at Penn.
DonatePlease note All comments are eligible for publication in The Daily Pennsylvanian.