Wrestling head coach and former Olympian Rob Eiter reacts to the International Olympic Committee’s decision to drop wrestling from the Olympic program starting with the 2020 Games.

The Quakers put on a show Saturday against Ivy League foes Harvard and Brown. The Crimson (4-5, 1-2 Ivy) drove the No. 22 Red and Blue (7-3, 2-1) to the edge in many bouts, but the latter avenged last year’s 23-19 loss by winning eight out of 10 bouts to secure a 24-6 victory at the Palestra.

When Penn wrestling hosts Harvard at the Palestra Saturday, it won’t be an event for culinary enthusiasts. The reason why? Only one dish will be served that day – revenge.

Wrestling is as intense and mentally demanding a sport as there is. It is the ultimate test of strength, flexibility, conditioning and character.

The No. 24 Penn wrestling team suffered their 11th defeat to No. 8 Cornell in a row on Saturday in Ithaca, N.Y., but returned to the Palestra and demonstrated their class with a 23-10 victory over EIWA rival Bucknell.

While the No. 24 Quakers have given up 10 in a row to the No. 8 Big Red, this season might very well be the team’s best shot to put an end to the long losing streak against its archrival.

On Sunday at the Palestra, Iowa State handed Penn its second loss of the season, 25-9.

After sustaining a season-ending LCL strain only eight bouts into a promising college career a season ago, Cobb was in an unfamiliar spot. Undeterred, he launched into preparations for this season with gusto.

One weekend, 20 bouts and 13 victories later, the Quakers made it clear they’re in it for real, winning 24-12 against No. 21 Lehigh and 21-12 against Hofstra.

Penn’s wrestling team is seeking revenge this weekend in a doubleheader against rivals Lehigh and Hofstra in its last chance to make a statement before winter break.

After losing to No. 3 Oklahoma State on Sunday, coach Rob Eiter made it clear that, at 133 pounds and at heavyweight, the first spot on the team is up for grabs.

Though the Quakers won three early matches, they were ultimately overmatched by a roster that included six wrestlers ranked in the top 10 in their weightclass, as the Cowboys lassoed the Red and Blue, 35-10.

With three wrestlers in the finals, Penn had a chance to make up for a disappointing finish to last weekend’s Binghamton Open. All three title bouts went into overtime.

This year, 14 schools from across the country will make the trip to Philadelphia for one of the nation’s premier tournaments.

Senior Mark Rappo spent the 2011-12 season interning on Wall Street. Now, he returns as Penn’s only grappler at 125 pounds. Ranked No. 13 heading into the season, he will make his comeback Sunday in the Keystone Classic at the Palestra.

Not counting the upcoming Keystone Classic and Midlands Championships, Penn’s wrestling team will take part in 13 duals this season before the Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association Championships in early March.

Sunday, Penn’s grapplers will travel to upstate New York to compete in the annual Binghamton Open, their first competition of the year.