Though the Penn wrestling team entered Sunday’s match on the high of a two-game win streak and with a golden opportunity to take down a national powerhouse, they left disappointed.

Though the stat sheet might suggest that the Virginia wrestling team bested Penn at last month’s Southern Scuffle, the less heralded Quakers may have actually left with the advantage.

With suspended seniors back, grapplers finish 11th at 31-team tournament

The Quakers will receive a much needed two-week break after falling 32-6 to No. 7 Maryland in College Park, Md., Friday night.

After entering the year ranked No. 24 in the preseason Intermat rankings, the Penn wrestling team has been fighting an uphill battle of late.

Competing in the Penn State Open, the Quakers competed against No. 17 Missouri quite often.

Instead of going to the Las Vegas Invitational, wrestling is attending the Penn State Open this year.

Although the Quakers went 2-1 this weekend, four Penn wrestlers completed the Northeast Duals without losing a bout.

The Quakers are scheduled to compete in four straight dual matches Saturday, as they venture to Troy, N.Y., to take part in the Northeast Duals.

Penn finished fourth at the Keystone Classic without three standout seniors, Rollie Peterkin (125 pounds) and co-captains Matt Dragon (157) and Cesar Grajales (149), who were all suspended for violating an Athletic Department policy.

Penn will host the Keystone Classic Sunday — its only tournament at the Palestra in 2009 — and then it’s on the road again as the Quakers embark on a four-tournament road stand that will have them traveling up and down the east coast until Jan. 9.

The Burak brothers carried the day for Penn at the Binghamton Open.

The Penn wrestling team begins its season Sunday at the Binghamton Open where over 300 wrestlers will represent more than 20 schools.

In order to drop from 195 pounds to his wrestling weight of just 174, junior Scott Giffin has instituted a serious diet and workout regimen.

This year’s squad will have to deal with the loss of six seniors, others have the chance to step up.