Peterkin impresses at the Southern Scuffle

Around this same time last year, the Penn wrestling team entered winter break and prepared for the Southern Scuffle in a less than ideal situation. Senior co-captains Cesar Grajales and Matt Dragon, along with senior Rollie Peterkin, had just been cleared to wrestle after serving about a month-long suspension stemming from an October incident when they were implicated in an assault and their subsequent arrest in November. But through it all, the Quakers were able to muster up a solid performance, finishing 11th among 31 teams. Grajales came one win shy of claiming the 149-pound title, while Dragon picked went 2-2 in his matches.

Peterkin, meanwhile, a two-time NCAA Championships Qualifier, decided to take the year off and not wrestle.

But flash forward a year later and it's clear what a difference a year can make.

This past Wednesday and Thursday at the Scuffle in Greensboro, N.C., it was Peterkin who not only suited up for the Quakers, but also earned Penn's top finish. As a team Penn finished seventh of 34 teams in 2010. (results here)

Wrestling at 133-pounds, the second-seeded Peterkin went 5-0 for the tournament to claim the title. His championship win over Hofstra's Lou Ruggirello, ranked 4th nationally, is sure to get Peterkin back on the map after a year off. It also sets up what should be an intriguing rematch when Penn takes on Hoftsra in a dual meet Jan.30th at the Palestra (provided both are healthy and ready to go).

The Quakers as a whole, meanwhile, performed well, finishing eighth among 34 teams. Sophomore Micah Burak, ranked 7th nationally, upset the Nation's No.1 Dustin Kilgore (Kent State) 6-4. He went 6-2 for the tournament and earned a fourth place finish.

Senior Zack Kemmerer, who has been one of Penn's most consistent wrestlers this year, also helped pace the Quakers with a fifth place finish in the 141-pound weightclass.

Last year, amidst all the turmoil, then-junior Scott Giffin emerged as an All-American.

With Peterkin back to reassert himself as one of the nation's best, it will be interesting to see what this season has in store for the Quakers.