The wrestling team faced its toughest competition to date on Saturday, Dec. 4 at the Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, NY. In a stacked meet, Wesleyan finished sixth in a 16-team field, falling just one point shy of fifth place to nationally ranked Cortland State.
The team finished thirteenth at this meet last year. This year’s finish, behind five nationally ranked schools, will put Wesleyan’s young team onto the map, most likely giving it a top-25 ranking in the next Division III poll. In addition, most of the best wrestling programs are in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, providing the Cardinals with great competition every weekend.
In the most competitive weight classes of the tournament, Wesleyan placed three wrestlers third. Camilo Rincon-Camacho ’04 placed third in the 149-pound weight class, Dave Bartlett ’06 finished third in the 174-pound weight class and Adam Jonas ’04 finished third in the 157-pound weight class, defeating former nationally ranked nemesis Steve Martell of Johnson and Wales. This finish should help Jonas earn a national ranking in next month’s poll.
Finishing right behind Jonas was sophomore standout Dan DeLalla, who wrestled Jonas for third place. DeLalla avenged an early tournament loss to win five straight before falling to Jonas.
“It was tough losing that first match,” DeLalla said. “I had already beaten in him the Springfield tournament, so I was a little frustrated. However, I was able to wrestle back and met him again in the quarterfinals. Unfortunately, that victory pitted me against Adam, but he and I are probably going to be going at it all year. I’ve been pretty happy, being able to get off to a good start this year, placing in my first three tournaments. The sixth-place finish for the team was a great way to end 2004. However, this is only the start. Bigger things will happen in 2005 and we are ready.”
Other strong performances were turned in by Kevin Egolf ’05, who started the tournament with back to back wins, but had to leave the tournament due to a muscle strain in his shoulder. Freshman standout Don Torrenti continues to impress as a lightweight, placing sixth at the RIT Invitational. Torrenti has placed in all three tournaments of his first year.
Other less experienced members of the team also started to step up. Dan Zeigarnick ’07 and Steve Campbell ’06 have shown great improvement and are ready to make the step up to scoring big for the Cardinals.
“This young season, I have had very good feelings about the members of our team and where we are headed,” coach Drew Black said. “There is a bond developing within our group. This team is beginning to know what working together, leadership and facing challenges are all about. This team is beginning to believe in themselves and in each other. I know we are all looking forward to the next phase of our season, the dual meet season.”
The Cardinals will finish 2004 with a “Red and Black Intra Squad Duel” Friday. The team will then resume action in the new-year hosting Bridgewater State and Rhode Island College on Jan. 5, in its first dual matches of the season.
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