Tickets for Friday's match vs, Maryland sold-out

ITHACA, N.Y.—The No. 4 nationally ranked Big Red wrestling team officially opens its season this weekend as it plays host to No. 10 Maryland on Friday night at the Friedman Wrestling Center. Cornell will continue action on Saturday by welcoming 11 teams to Newman Arena for the Body Bar Invitational. The Big Red finished last season in fifth place at the NCAA tournament and saw Troy Nickerson win the title at 125 pounds.

Match Information
Dual #1: No. 4 Cornell vs. No. 10 Maryland
Match Time: Friday, Nov. 20—6:30 p.m.
Site: Friedman Wrestling Center, Ithaca, N.Y.
2009-10 Records: Cornell 0-0; Maryland 2-0
Series Record: First Meeting 

Live Video

Match-By-Match Updates

Body Bar Invitational Updates

Purchase Tickets

Probable Starters
No. 4 Cornell vs. No. 10 MARYLAND
125 - No. 1 Troy Nickerson (Cornell) vs. James Knox (Maryland)
133 - No. 6 Mike Grey (Cornell) vs. No. 8 Steven Bell (Maryland)
141 - No. 8 Kyle Dake (Cornell) vs. No. 4 Alex Krom (Maryland)
149 - Corey Manson (Cornell) vs. Jon Kohler (Maryland)
157 - DJ Meagher (Cornell) vs. Kyle John (Maryland)
165 - No. 10 Justin Kerber/John Basting (Cornell) vs. Josh Asper (Maryland)
174 - No. 2 Mack Lewnes (Cornell) vs. No. 4 Mike Letts (Maryland)
184 – No. 20 Steve Bosak (Cornell) vs. Corey Peltier (Maryland)
197 - No. 5 Cam Simaz (Cornell) vs. No. 3 Hudson Taylor (Maryland)
HWT - No. 12 Josh Arnone (Cornell) vs. Patrick Gilmore (Maryland)

*All rankings are from InterMat (Nov. 17, 2009)

The Body Bar Invitational
The Big Red will welcome 11 teams to Newman Arena for the Body Bar Invitational on Saturday. Wrestling will begin at 9 a.m.

Teams Competing
Army
Binghamton
Buffalo
Clarion
Columbia
No. 4 Cornell
Drexel
Ithaca College
No. 20 Kent State
No. 10 Maryland
Sacred Heart
Wyoming

Follow the Action!
Fans can watch the Big Red battle Maryland on Friday night live with a subscription to Cornell's RedCast. Live updates will also be available for both Friday's dual and for the Body Bar Invitational on Saturday.

At the Helm
Rob Koll, the David R. Dunlop '59 Head Coach of Wrestling, begins his 17th 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 three EIWA team championships and earned 27 EIWA individual titles. Koll, a four-time All-American and former NCAA champion, has helped Big Red wrestlers to capture five individual NCAA titles and 31 All-America honors.



Binghamton Open
Cornell had 25 wrestlers competing unattached last weekend at the Binghamton Open, and the Big Red captured the title at five weight classes. Winning the championship in their respective weight classes were Mike Grey (133), Kyle Dake (141), Mack Lewnes (174), Steve Bosak (184) and Cam Simaz (197). Seven other wrestlers also placed for the Big Red including Tyler Biscaha (fourth, 125), Corey Manson (sixth, 149), Derek Schreiner (fourth, 157), Nate Holley (second, 184), Taylor Moore (second, HWT), Stryker Lane (third, HWT) and Josh Arnone (fourth, HWT). Big Red wrestlers picked up bonus points in 30 matches, with 13 winning by fall.

On a Roll
The Big Red finished the 2008-09 season with a 12-2 dual record and won its last seven contests. Troy Nickerson completed his season with a perfect 25-0 record on his way to an NCAA championship.

Countdown to Nationals
The Big Red wrestling team enters the weekend ranked fourth in the nation by the InterMat Wrestling Division I poll and will open its 2009-10 season facing No. 10 Maryland at the Friedman Wrestling Center. Cornell has eight wrestlers ranked individually with returning NCAA champion Troy Nickerson leading the country at 125 pounds. The Big Red returns five All-Americans and seven NCAA qualifiers.

Scouting the Competition
The Terrapins head to East Hill with a 2-0 record after opening their season with wins over Drexel and York. On Nov. 7, Maryland opened its day with a 35-6 win over Drexel where seven Terrapin wrestlers picked up bonus points. The Terps followed with a demanding 57-0 shutout over York. Maryland earned bonus points in every match and eight wrestlers won by fall. The Terrapins come into the weekend ranked 10th in the country and finished in that very spot at the NCAA tournament last season. Maryland has four nationally ranked wrestlers in the top-10 of their respective weight classes.

The Fall Guys
With two falls at the Binghamton Open, junior Mack Lewnes has earned 28 career pins. Lewnes now ranks in a second place tie in the Big Red record books for career falls with 28. He joins teammate Troy Nickerson, two-time NCAA champion Travis Lee '05 and Walter Grote '74 in the second spot behind two-time All-American Steve Anceravage '09. Anceravage broke the record last season and ended his four-year career with 37 falls.

All Things Ivy
With another 5-0 season against Ancient Eight foes, the Big Red won its seventh-straight Ivy League title last season. Cornell had eight wrestlers earn All-Ivy honors. Mack Lewnes was named Ivy League Wrestler of the Year, while Cam Simaz earned Ivy League Rookie of the Year honors. Lewnes and Simaz were joined by Troy Nickerson, Mike Grey and Steve Anceravage '09 on the first-team. DJ Meagher, Jordan Leen '09 and Justin Kerber all earned a second-team nod.

Up Next…
The Big Red will break for the Thanksgiving holidays and resumes action Dec. 4-5 at the Las Vegas Invitational.