Match Notes in PDF Format

ITHACA, N.Y.—The Big Red wrestling team is set to open Ivy competition on Sunday afternoon as it travels to the city to take on Columbia at 12 p.m. before heading to Hofstra for a 5 p.m. non-conference match. Cornell will be looking to capture its seventh-straight Ivy League title this season.

Probable Lineups
No. 3 Cornell
125: No. 2 Troy Nickerson
133: No. 12 Mike Grey
141: Corey Manson
149: DJ Meagher
157: No. 5 Jordan Leen
165: No. 1 Mack Lewnes
174: No. 5 Steve Anceravage
184: No. 16 Justin Kerber
197: No. 18 Cam Simaz
HWT: No. 12 Zach Hammond

Columbia
125: Kevin Tao
133: Andrew Grabfelder
141: Shane Strumwasser
149: Matt Dunn/Nick Standish
157: Derek Sickles
165: Eren Civan
174: Mike Wolfer
184: Kenji Porter
197: Lou Miller
Hwt. No. 14 Ryan Flores

No. 23 Hofstra
125: No. 20 Steve Bonanno
133: No. 8 Lou Ruggirello
141: Justin Accordino
149: Jeff Rotella
157: No. 16 Jonny Bonilla-Bowman
165: Ryan Patrovich
174: No. 10 Alton Lucas
184: Ben Clymer
197: Anthony Tortora/Joe Fagiano
HWT: Jordan Enck


Countdown to Nationals
The Big Red wrestling team enters the weekend ranked third in the nation by the USA Today/InterMat/NWCA Division I poll and will face Columbia and Hofstra on Sunday. Cornell has eight 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.

Last Time Out
The No. 3 ranked Big Red wrestling team picked up bonus points in four matches on its way to a 32-7 victory at Tennessee-Chattanooga on Sunday afternoon. Troy Nickerson won by fall at 125 pounds, while sophomore Justin Kerber (184) and freshman Cam Simaz (197) won by 15 points for technical falls. Sophomore Mike Grey (133) picked up a 20-6 major decision to help the Big Red to improve to 6-2 for the season. The Big Red day opened with No. 2 ranked Nickerson earning
six team points with a pin in 2:32. No. 12 ranked Grey's major decision lengthened the Big Red's lead to 10-0. Cornell also picked up wins by DJ Meagher (149), No. 5 Jordan Leen (157) , No. 6 Steve Anceravage (174) and No. 12 Zach Hammond (HWT) to finish off the Mocs.

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 32 for his career . All-American Mack Lewnes is moving up the career list and is currently ninth with 21 falls. Two-time All-American Troy Nickerson has 20 falls to rank 11th.

That's a Winner
With a record of 106-27, senior NCAA champion Jordan Leen ranks eighth in the Big Red record book in career wins, while with a 104-27 mark, All-American Steve Anceravage is tenth. 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 25-0 this season, while Troy Nickerson is 10-0.

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 178-69-4 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 will open up its Ivy season on Feb. 8 when it travels to the Big Apple to take on Columbia. Cornell will begin its quest for its seventh-straight Ancient Eight crown. The Big Red has won its last 33 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.