Surpassing all expectations, four members of the Princeton wrestling team placed in the top three in their respective weight classes at the VerticalNet Open on Nov. 25 in Chapel Hill, N.C.
Though only four Tigers attended this open tournament, Princeton was well represented. Senior Ryan Bonfiglio and sophomore Joe Clarke both placed first in their weight classes. Sophomore Greg Parker was first runner-up at 174 lbs., and freshman Joe Looke finished third at 197 lbs.
This level of success is very promising for the Tigers, considering the quality of wrestlers at this extremely competitive tournament. The University of North Carolina hosted the tournament, and UNC always has one of the strongest wrestling teams in the Atlantic Coast Conference. With several highly ranked wrestlers on the UNC team, the Princeton wrestlers knew that it would face stiff competition. But the few wrestlers who attended wanted to perform well in the competition and prove that they belonged in the tournament.
Bonfiglio defeated Jake Reynolds of UNC, 4-1, to capture first place in the 165-lb. weight class. By his fourth match of the day, Bonfiglio proved that he had shaken off the rust after missing preseason practices. In his earlier matches, Bonfiglio crushed his opponents, 11-3, 11-3 and 11-4.
"For the first time this year, I feel like I belong on the mat," Bonfiglio said. "It was important for me to get some wins under my belt. Now I have the necessary confidence to beat the best guys in our conference."
Two-sport star
Playing defensive tackle for Princeton sprint football during the fall, Bonfiglio did not have an opportunity to train with the wrestling team, but now seems ready to be back in wrestling mode.
Continuing his dominance of the 141- lb. weight class, Clarke moved through the tournament with ease. He capped the day with a 12-4 win against Corey Williams of Greensboro, earning first place. Proving that he deserves to be a top-ranked wrestler, Clarke went through the tournament without a close match.
Also wrestling well, Parker barely lost in the championship match in the 174-lb. weight class. In an extremely close contest, which could have gone either way, a tough call gave Corey Bell of UNC a 4-2 win over Parker.
"While I feel that I am improving on the things I have been working on, it is always disappointing to lose," Parker said. "I am out there to win every time."
Parker nonetheless had a strong day of wrestling, winning his first two matches 16-1 and5-2, and his third with a pin.
Newcomer
As the youngest Princeton wrestler at the tournament, Looke represented the Class of 2004 well by placing third at 197 lb. Looke pinned Clifford Gore of Pembroke in the consolation match.
While UNC wrestlers did most of the damage at the tournament — placing six wrestlers in first — Princeton had the second-most first-place finishes.
"Our complete starting line-up has yet to be on the mat at the same time this season, but we hope to change that at East Stroudsburg this coming weekend with some solid dual meet wins," Clark said.
Bonfiglio is most excited by the overall improvement of Princeton wrestling. He felt that the team was very slim when he started his Princeton wrestling career, but this year he feels there is a good wrestler in every weight class.
"We will now be a well-respected team," Bonfiglio said.
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