Wrestling displays promise, maturity in first official tourney

Senior Charlie Wiggins placed eighth in the 157-pound weight class as the wrestling team got its season off to a promising start at the 38th annual East Stroudsburg Open tournament on Saturday.

Wiggins dropped his first match of the day, but rebounded to win five consecutive matches before succumbing to Phil Bomberger of Penn State, who finished in fourth place. Wiggins then wrestled Rory McCoy of Lock Haven for a chance at seventh place, but lost, 6-3.

"Wiggins had a rough loss in the first round, but really showed some toughness by not losing his focus and wrestling back," junior Tim Prugar said. "It's fun to watch a wrestler that is that mentally tough."

Overall, the tournament left head coach Michael New extremely pleased with his team's performance and optimistic about the season. He praised the Tigers' high level of fitness and the heart they have shown in practice thus far.

Wiggins wasn't the only Princeton wrestler to turn in a solid performance. Sophomore Eric Marcotulli (141-lb.), junior Andrew Iannuzzi (149-lb.), junior Matt DeNichilo (174-lb.), and senior Jack Fleming (184-lb.) all won three matches in the tournament.

Freshman Logan Lowe was particularly impressive in his collegiate debut as he made it to the quarterfinals in the 184-lb. division. His showing was a heartening sign for the Tigers, a fairly young and inexperienced team. With the graduation of class of 2004 standouts Brian Kirschbaum, Joe Looke and Milo Adams, Princeton will look to seniors Wiggins and Fleming for leadership.

New also expects relatively inexperienced junior Jake Butler to be a dominant force in 197-lb. class. Butler picked up three wins on the day before losing to Daren Burns of the University of North Carolina, who eventually claimed third place.

The East Stroudsburg Open is one of the oldest and largest wrestling tournaments in the country. This year, it featured over 15 teams, including No. 2 Lehigh and No. 17 Penn State. Ivy League rivals Harvard and Columbia also competed.

Due to the number of athletes, the event is an all-day marathon in which wrestlers must win several bouts in order to place. Although this format is much different than the dual meets the Tigers will have for the majority of the season, it gives them an important opportunity test their endurance.

"It gives us a chance to step up and get wins," New said. "Tournaments like this help us to establish goals and get set up for the rest of the season."

Princeton will be on hiatus from competition until Dec. 4, when the Tigers take on Williams College in. the first of a string of road meets. Princeton will not compete at home until February.