No. 10 Lehigh visits No. 22 Penn for EIWA dual opener
12/2/2011 1:25:00 PM | Men's Wrestling
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Winners of four straight duals, the No. 10 Lehigh wrestling team will get its first look at EIWA competition this season as the Mountain Hawks meet No. 22 Penn Sunday at the famed Palestra in Philadelphia. Both teams are coming off an appearance at the Northeast Duals in Troy, N.Y. last weekend. Lehigh won all three of its duals, defeating Arizona State, Purdue and North Carolina. The Mountain Hawks boast five ranked wrestlers led by junior Robert Hamlin, who is ranked No. 1 at 184. Penn went 2-1 last weekend, defeating American and North Carolina before a 21-20 loss to Arizona State. The Quakers have three ranked wrestlers, including All-American Jake Kemmerer at 141.
Returning All-American Brandon Hatchett has enjoyed a strong start to his senior season, winning ten of his first 11 bouts. Last year's seventh place finisher at 165, Hatchett opened his season by going 5-0 to take the title at the Knight Point Clarion Open and has won five of his first six bouts in dual meets. At the Northeast Duals last weekend, Hatchett impressed picking up wins by technical fall and major decision in his first two bouts before earning a forfeit win versus North Carolina. Hatchett leads Lehigh regulars with ten wins this season and owns a 62-26 career record.Four true freshmen have already seen varsity action for the Mountain Hawks this season. Mason Beckman and Nate Brown have enjoyed the most success, combining to go 9-3 in duals at 125 and 174 respectively. Beckman and Brown also combined to go 6-0 last weekend at the Northeast Duals as Lehigh won all three of its duals. In addition, Chris Dinnien has competed in three duals at 133 and Jim Carucci competed at the Northeast Duals and will do so again Sunday in place of the injured Stephen Dutton at 141.
Penn brings a 2-1 dual meet record into Sunday's match. Like Lehigh, the Quakers spent last weekend at the Northeast Duals in Troy, N.Y. where they bested North Carolina and American and dropped a one-point decision to Arizona State, after being docked a team point for unsportsmanlike conduct. Penn also hosted the Keystone Classic November 20, finishing sixth out of 13 teams. Three Quakers are ranked by Amateur Wrestling News: Bryan Ortenzio, who returns at 133 this season after sitting out last year; All-American Zack Kemmerer, who is ranked fourth at 141 and Micah Burak at 197. Only three Quakers who competed against Lehigh last season (Kemmerer, Burak and Erich Smith at 184) are listed among Penn probable starters.
Lehigh and Penn meet for the 51st time today in a series that dates back to 1912. The Mountain Hawks have won 40 of the 50 meetings including three straight. These two schools have met in each of the last 16 seasons after not having wrestled between 1956 and 1996.
Sunday's dual gets underway at 1 p.m. from the Palestra. The match can be heard on ESPN Radio 1230 and 1320 as well as online at Lehighsports.com with pre-match coverage beginning at 12:45.
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Date:
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December 4, 2011
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Opponent:
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No. 22 Penn Quakers
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First match:
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1:00 p.m.
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Arena:
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The Palestra (8,700)
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Location:
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Philadelphia, Pa.
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Lehigh's Record:
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4-2 overall, 0-0 EIWA
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Penn's Record
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2-1 overall, 1-0 EIWA
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Series:
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Lehigh leads 40-9-1
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Television:
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None
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Radio:
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ESPN Radio 1230 and 1320 with Steve Lomangino beginning at 12:45 p.m.
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Internet broadcast:
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Lehighsports.com
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Behind enemy lines:
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Lehigh Sports Central: Wrestling
Wednesday, March 12
Lehigh Sports Central: Wrestling
Thursday, February 20
Lehigh Sports Central: Wrestling
Wednesday, December 04
Season Preview: Wrestling
Wednesday, October 30
