2009 EIWA Championships Website
Cornell EIWA Team Notes in PDF Format
2009 EIWA Championship Brackets
2009 EIWA Championship Seeds and Rosters
ITHACA, N.Y.—The No. 2 nationally ranked Big Red wrestling team will begin its quest for its third-straight team title as it travels to the Penn campus for the EIWA Championships this weekend. Cornell wrestlers will use this weekend to work to qualify for the NCAA tournament at their respective weight classes. The EIWAs begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday and run through Sunday evening.
Schedule of Events
Saturday, March. 7
Session I (Preliminaries): 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Session I (Quarterfinals and Consolation Round 1): 12:30 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Session I (Consolation Round 2): 3:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 8
Session II (Semifinals and Consolation Round 3): 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Session II (Consolation Semifinals): 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Session II (Consolation Finals): 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Kids "Mat Time" Event: 3:30 p.m. - 4:15 p.m.
EIWA Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony: 6:15 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Session III (Championship Finals): 6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Watch the Action Live!
The Penn Sports Network will present live streaming video coverage on both days of the EIWA Championships. The coverage will only be available with a PSN subscription. Please note in advance that matches featuring Penn wrestlers will receive top filming priority, and be the primary matches showcased on the live video stream, regardless of whether the bouts occur in the preliminary, quarterfinal, semifinal, championship, or consolation rounds. All championship matches will be broadcast. At times during which no Penn wrestlers are competing, additional matches will be carried as bonus footage. Coverage of the 2009 EIWA Championships will begin Saturday, March 7th at 10:00 a.m. and run until roughly 5:00 p.m. that afternoon, and then resume Sunday, March 8th at 10:30 a.m. with semi-final round action. The Championship Finals will air at 6:30 p.m. that night.
Big Red Lineup
125: Troy Nickerson
133: Mike Grey
141: Corey Manson
149: DJ Meagher
157: Jordan Leen
165: Mack Lewnes
174: Steve Anceravage
184: Justin Kerber
197: Cam Simaz
HWT: Zach Hammond
Qualifying for the NCAAs
This year the NCAA changed the amount of automatic qualification process for the championships. It was announced that the EIWA would receive 38 automatic qualifiers. At-large qualifiers will be announced on March 11, 2008. Click here for more information about the qualifying process in PDF format. Click here to watch a video about the new selection process.
EIWA Qualifiers By Weight
125 – 3
133 – 4
141 – 2
149 – 6
157 – 4
165 – 3
174 – 6
184 – 4
197 – 2
HWT – 4
At the 2008 EIWAs
The Big Red won its second-straight EIWA Championship last year edging out Penn by a half of point. Mack Lewnes won the individual championship at 165 pounds, while Jordan Leen and Steve Anceravage were runners-up at 157 and 174 pounds, respectively. The Big Red qualified six wrestlers for the NCAA Tournament, and all 10 Cornell grapplers finished in the top six of their respective weight classes.
All Things Ivy
With another 5-0 season against Ancient Eight foes, the Big Red won its seventh-straight Ivy League title this season. Cornell had eight wrestlers earn All-Ivy honors. Sophomore Mack Lewnes was named Ivy League Wrestler of the Year, while freshman Cam Simaz earned Ivy League Rookie of the Year honors. Lewnes and Simaz were joined by Troy Nickerson, Mike Grey and Steve Anceravage to earn first team honors. DJ Meagher, Jordan Leen and Justin Kerber all earned a second team nod.
At the Helm
Rob Koll, the David R. Dunlop '59 Head Coach of Wrestling, is in his 16th season as mentor of the Cornell wrestling program. In that time, Koll has amassed a 184-69-4 overall record in duals and has led the Big Red to 10 Ivy League titles. Cornell has captured two EIWA team championships and earned 23 EIWA individual titles. Koll, a four-time All-American and former NCAA champion, has helped Big Red wrestlers to capture four individual NCAA titles and 27 All-America honors.
Don't Blink
At 125 pounds, Troy Nickerson broke the Big Red record for the fastest fall on Jan. 17 when he pinned Eastern Michigan's Jordan McGuire in 13 seconds. The previous record of 14 seconds was held by Bruce Morgan at heavyweight from Nov. 17, 1990. Nickerson's previous personal best was 33 seconds over NC St. Taylor Cummings at the Southern Scuffle on Dec. 29, 2006.
EIWA Honors
Senior Jordan Leen was named EIWA Wrestler of the Week on Monday, Jan. 12, after going 4-0 at the National Duals, recording every win by major decision. Leen was also named the Cornell Tompkins Trust Company Athlete of the Week. Senior Steve Anceravage was named the EIWA Wrestler of the Week on Jan. 5 after recording a perfect 5-0 record at the Southern Scuffle to win the individual title at 174 pounds. Anceravage won by fall in overtime in the finals to drive Cornell to win the team title. Sophomore Mack Lewnes earned Wrestler of the Week honors on Nov. 25 after pinning three of his opponents on his way to his second-straight Body Bar Invitational title.
The Fall Guy
Senior Steve Anceravage notched his 30th career win by fall at the Body Bar Invitational to break Cornell's career record for falls. The record of 28 was held by Big Red volunteer assistant coach, Travis Lee (2002-05) and Walter Grote (1972-74). Anceravage broke the record for falls in a season as a junior with 17 and has a total of 34 for his career. All-American Mack Lewnes is moving up the career list and is currently fifth with 24 falls, while two-time All-American Troy Nickerson is seventh with has 23 falls.
That's a Winner
With a record of 110-26, All-American Steve Anceravage ranks eighth in the Big Red record book in career wins, while with a 109-28 mark, returning NCAA champion Jordan Leen is ninth. Sophomore Mike Grey broke the school record for wins in a season as a rookie with 42. The Big Red brings two wrestlers with perfect records into the weekend. Mack Lewnes is 31-0 this season, while Troy Nickerson is 16-0.
At the National Duals
The Big Red wrestling team finished in second place at the National Duals in Cedar Falls, Iowa on Jan. 10-11. Cornell opened with a 23-9 win over No. 17 Michigan on Saturday afternoon. Freshman Cam Simaz, ranked No. 17, upset fourth-ranked Tyrel Todd by a 3-2 decision to help Cornell capture wins in seven of the 10 bouts. Cornell followed with a 17-16 win over No. 6 Ohio State in the quarterfinals. Both teams won five matches and were tied at 13 going into the final two bouts. A 12-4 major decision by Simaz proved to be the bonus points that sent Cornell past the Buckeyes. With the victory, head coach Rob Koll notched his 175th career dual win. On Sunday morning, the then-No. 3 Big Red defeated No. 2 Iowa State 22-15 in the semifinals. The Big Red's first dual loss of the season came at the hands of No. 1 Iowa in the finals, 23-13. Cornell held a 13-8 lead after the 165 pound bout, but the Hawkeyes came back to win the final four matches to secure their 17th tournament title while remaining undefeated.
Fun in Vegas
Sophomore Mack Lewnes earned the title at 165 pounds, while senior Jordan Leen placed second at 157 pounds at the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational. With a limited roster, the Big Red finished second behind team champion Nebraska. Also placing for Cornell, Frank Perrelli (125) took seventh, Steve Bosak (174) placed sixth, and Cam Simaz (197) finished in fifth place.
Brute Binghamton Open
The Big Red had 26 wrestlers competing individually at the Brute Binghamton Open on Saturday, Nov. 15. Frank Perrelli (125), Mike Grey (141), Mack Lewnes (165), Steve Anceravage (174) and Zach Hammond all captured titles in their respective weight classes, while Jordan Leen (157) and Cam Simaz (184) finished in second place. The Cornell squad made quick work of much of its opposition, recording 20 wins by fall as a group. Lewnes led the way, pinning four of his five opponents.
Come Back Soon!
Junior two-time NCAA qualifier Adam Frey will miss the 2008-09 season as he continues his personal battle against cancer. Supporters can follow Adam's daily blog at www.adamfrey.us
At the Scuffle
The Big Red wrestling team captured its first team title at the Southern Scuffle with 139 total points. Cornell was in third after day one, but individual titles by Mack Lewnes (165) and Steve Anceravage (174) led the Big Red past second place Edinboro. Also placing for Cornell were Mike Grey (Third, 133), Corey Manson (Seventh, 141), Justin Kerber (Third, 184), Cam Simaz (Fourth, 197) and Zach Hammond (Eighth, HWT).
