ITHACA, N.Y.—The No. 2 nationally ranked Big Red wrestling team will conclude its dual schedule this weekend as it travels to Brown and Harvard. Cornell will continue its quest for its seventh-straight Ivy League title and brings a 10-2 overall record and 3-0 Ancient Eight mark into the weekend.


Probable Lineups

No. 2 Cornell
125: No. 1 Troy Nickerson
133: No. 11 Mike Grey
141: Corey Manson
149: DJ Meagher
157: No. 3 Jordan Leen
165: No. 1 Mack Lewnes
174: No. 7 Steve Anceravage
184: No. 15 Justin Kerber
197: No. 14 Cam Simaz
HWT: Zach Hammond

Brown
125: Greg Einfrank
133: Ross Baldwin
141: Steve Delorenzo
149: Dave Foxen/Ricky Bailey
157: Bryan Tracy
165: Chris Musser/Jeff Lemmer
174: Bran Crudden
184: Matt Gevelinger
197: Branden Stearns/Leo Saniuk
HWT: Zach Zdrada

Harvard
125: Forfeit
133: Tommy Picarsic/Johnny Motley
141: No. 3 Corey Jantzen/Fermin Mendez
149: Walter Peppelman
157: No. 5 JP O'Connor
165: Bryan Panzano/Michael Sadler
174: Andy Olsen/Patrick Ziemnik
184: No. 7 Louis Caputo
197: Sean Murphy
HWT: Andrew Knapp/Spencer DeSena

Countdown to Nationals
The Big Red wrestling team enters the weekend ranked second in the nation by the USA Today/InterMat/NWCA Division I poll and will face Brown on Friday and Harvard on Saturday. Cornell has seven wrestlers ranked individually, including returning All-American Mack Lewnes leading the pack at 165 pounds. The Big Red returns six All-Americans to total seven NCAA qualifiers.

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.

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 ninth with 22 falls and is tied with two-time All-American Troy Nickerson who also has 22 falls.

That's a Winner
With a record of 109-28, senior NCAA champion Jordan Leen ranks eighth in the Big Red record book in career wins, while with a 108-26 mark, All-American Steve Anceravage 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 29-0 this season, while Troy Nickerson is 14-0.

At the Helm
Rob Koll, the David R. Dunlop '59 Head Coach of Wrestling, begins his 16th season as mentor of the Cornell wrestling program. In that time, Koll has amassed a 182-69-4 overall record in duals and has led the Big Red to nine 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.

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).

All Things Ivy
The Big Red is 3-0 against Ivy League competition this season. Cornell continues its quest for its seventh-straight Ancient Eight crown. The Big Red has won its last 36 matches against Ivy competition. Last season's title was the 29th in the program's history, the most of any school in the conference. Nine Big Red wrestlers received All-Ivy honors last season. Then freshman Mike Grey was named the Ivy League Rookie of the Year, while also being named to the first team. Also named All-Ivy first team was Mike Rodriguez '08, Jordan Leen, Steve Anceravage and Justin Kerber. Josh Arnone earned second team honors, while DJ Meagher, Mack Lewnes, and Maciej Jochym were honorable mention.

Next Time Out
The Big Red will break next week, but will return to action on March 7-8 for the EIWA Tournament in Philadelphia, Pa.