EIWA Championships last match for wrestling

It's do-or-die time.

This weekend marks the culmination of the 2003-2004 men's wrestling season, as the team travels to Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association Championships at Penn. These matches determine who gets the chance to compete in NCAAs and who will retire his suits and shoes for now. For the seniors, it's the last chance to extend their final season with the Orange and Black.

A pair of Tigers have succeeded here before. Princeton had five individual placers at the EIWA tournament last year, including seniors Brian Kirschbaum and Joe Looke. Kirschbaum placed fifth, while Looke placed fourth.

This season boasts some strong individual wrestlers for the Tigers. Senior Kenny Chu will represent the Tigers in the 125-lb. weight class. Kirschbaum will wrestle in the 133-lb. class, while senior Milo Adams will compete at 141 lbs.

"Everyone on the team has the chance to step up this weekend," Kirschbaum said. "Specifically, I think the older guys, who have been around the longest and have seen the best competition, have a great opportunity to stand out. Joe Looke, Milo Adams, and Kenny Chu are probably the most talented guys in their respective weight classes. It wouldn't surprise me to see them have success."

Kirschbaum is one to talk. In the month of February, Kirschbaum went 5-0 in his matches, providing the lone wins for the Tigers in their matches against Penn and Rutgers.

"Kirschbaum will look to carry this momentum into the EIWA championships," assistant coach Kevin Lake said. "Joe Looke is one of the top heavyweights in the EIWA, and a had solid performance at this year's championships will qualify him for the NCAA Championships."

Kirschbaum isn't getting ahead of himself, though.

"At this point in the season, the only thing you can really hope for are wins," he said. "If you win every match you wrestle, you'll get to nationals. Simple as that. The last few weeks have given me the confidence that I can do that. I know that I can be an EIWA finalist and get to nationals."

Even after finishing fifth at EIWAs last year, Kirschbaum was not ready to rest on his laurels coming into this season. And as the season progressed, he continued to develop as a wrestler.

"Much of wrestling is your physical ability," Kirschbaum said, "and that can take you far, but in order to get to the next level you have to expect success and know that whenever you step on the mat, you will win."

Despite a less-than-stellar team record, the Tigers have improved this season in the mental part of their game, and Kirschbaum sees his greatest personal development there, too.

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"I think what I have improved on most this season is my confidence," Kirschbaum said. "For much of my college career, coaches, friends, and family have told me that I have the talent to be a top wrestler. At the beginning of the season, my brother and best friend from home told me they knew that I could wrestle with anyone in the country. The difference now is that I finally believe them."

The season has seen its ups-and-downs, its successes and failures. And only time will tell how it will end for the Tigers.

"We have been preparing for this tournament all season long and this team is ready for the challenge of the EIWA Championships," Lake said. "The hard work and grueling schedule of the regular season has prepared these men to perform their best this weekend."