Wesleyan’s wrestling team continued its success this season, placing fifth in the highly competitive Doug Parker Invitational at Springfield College on Saturday, Nov. 20. The Cards fell only to nationally ranked powerhouses including Oswego State College and Norwich University.
Individually, the Cardinals scored five wrestlers, including co-captain Adam Jonas ’05, who won the 157-pound weight class for the second time in his collegiate career. In the same weight class, Dan de Lalla ’07 grappled his way to a third place finish. De Lalla’s only loss was to the eventual runner-up, who would later fall to Jonas in the finals.
In the 149-pound weight class, co-captain Kevin Egolf ’05 placed third for the second week in a row, showing great consistency. Dave Bartlett ’06, wrestling in the 147-pound weight class, placed fourth. In the 125-pound class, Don Torrenti ’08 finished sixth. He has now placed in both of his first two collegiate tournaments.
Coach Drew Black was ecstatic about his team’s successes in the first two tournaments of the season.
“We have a young team, but they will learn how to win a close match and what it takes to be a consistent wrestler as the season unfolds,” Black said. “This week, Adam Jonas dominated on his feet and controlled the action in each match. Dan de Lalla also wrestled well, using explosive takedowns against his opponents. Kevin Egolf has shown immense improvement on his feet and has mastered a variety of new moves. Dave Bartlett fell only to a two-time New England champion, and he is right there to beat anyone he wrestles. Don Torrenti fills that missing link for us in the lightweight division. Everyone on the team is on the edge of great things. We hope to keep the momentum going in our favor.”
Camilo Rincon-Camacho ’05 and Josh Wildes ’08 also turned in strong performances, winning the majority of their matches, but falling just short of placing.
“The Doug Parker Invitational was a big step for our young team,” Jonas said. “It gave some of our wrestlers a chance to redeem themselves after mediocre showings in the first tournament. We had no real let downs this week. However, our real test comes next week in Rochester. It will let some of us know where we stand nationally and give some of the younger guys a taste of the best wrestling in the East.”
The team will continue action on Saturday at the Rochester Instititute of Technology, where they will face their toughest competition to date. This will be the final competition of 2004. However, the New England Championships and the 2005 NCAA Championships will take place after winter break.
“With a young team, we will ride the mini-coaster of great wins and heartbreaking losses,” Black said. “However, in the end, the team that is out there working hard every day will come out on top.“
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