Had you read the recap of the Red’s last home wrestling match this past weekend, a 26-9 win over Ivy rival Penn, you would have found three seniors mentioned in the match highlights. But had you actually attended the event at packed Friedman Wrestling Center, you would have watched five seniors step out into the center of the ring to be honored as Cornell’s Class of 2009. And while Tim Ironman and Drake Hovis may not be suited up and wrestling in official dual matches every weekend, they have played an integral part during their years with the squad, just as starters Jordan Leen, Steve Anceravage and Zach Hammond have.

Hug it out: The wrestling team routed Princeton and Penn this weekend. Penn, the Red’s closest Ivy rival, didn’t put up much of a fight. The Red is looking to stay in top form going into future matches.

On Saturday, the Red faced Princeton (2-15, 0-4 Ivy) in what turned out to be a rout of the Tigers. Cornell used four pins and three forfeits as they romped to a 54-0 victory.

Sometimes teams will go into a match with butterflies in their stomachs, fear in their eyes and sweat already starting to lubricate their clenched fists. And sometimes they don’t. The wrestling squad should be the latter this weekend when it suits up for their second Ivy match of the season, a contest against Princeton (2-13, 5-1 EIWA) tomorrow. The next day, however, should be a bit more challenging for the Red, as they take on Penn (1-5, 5-1 EIWA), the closest thing to a rival Cornell (8-2, 1-0 EIWA)has among its Ancient Eight competitors.

Eye to eye: Junior Taylor Moore (left) squares off against a Boise State opponent during the Body Bar Invite on Nov 22. This weekend marks the Red’s last homestand.

The wrestling team made it very clear why it is ranked third in the nation. The Red dominated opponents in both halves of a doubleheader yesterday. Cornell wrestlers won 16 of 20 total matches as they prevailed against Columbia and Hofstra.

“I really think we wrestled very well,” said junior Troy Nickerson. “It was definitely the best we’ve wrestled in the last month or so.”

The Red opened its Ivy League season at Columbia. The meet began with Nickerson at 125 pounds. Nickerson, who is ranked No. 2 in the nation, quickly took down his opponent and won by fall. The pin was a sign of things to come for the Red.No Meagher effort: Sophomore D.J. Meagher won both of his matches yesterday.

Almost every team, no matter what the sport, will inevitably go through a series of peaks and valleys, sometimes emotional, sometimes physical, and sometimes both. The wresting team experienced what can only be described as a valley in its season over the past couple of weeks, following a mediocre performance three weeks ago against Eastern Michigan and then a 16-14 loss to Missouri two weeks ago. But following last weekend’s dominating 32-7 win over Tennessee-Chattanooga, it seems the Red may have left that valley for good.

This Sunday the team travels to Columbia or its 12 p.m. kick off to the Ivy season against the 1-2 Lions, and then will get right back on its bus and drive to Hofstra in Hempstead, N.Y for a 5 p.m. contest against the 3-1 Pride.

Toughness comes with the territory in wrestling. Collegiate wrestlers endure grueling workouts, excruciating practices and violent matches. Part of the strategy in matches is to put an opponent in so much pain that it limits his effectiveness. Any individual who tolerates the constant aches associated with wrestling is demonstrating serious dedication to the craft, often at the expense of one’s body. As tough as most wrestlers are, few can compare with senior Zach Hammond.

Hammond is in his fifth year as a member of the Red wrestling squad. The first four all ended with serious injuries.

Wrestling head coach Rob Koll likes to downplay the importance of individual dual matches during the regular season, choosing instead to look at the big picture — that his team peaks in time to be at its absolute highest level of performance in time for the NCAA championships. But it would have been impossible to not be disappointed — frustrated, even — by the team’s loss last weekend at home to then-No. 12 Missouri. The 16-14 loss dropped the Red (6-2) to the No. 3 ranking, and no doubt hurt the team’s pride. It was from this mental standpoint that the team traveled to Chattanooga, Tenn. to take on the Mocs (11-8) in MacLellan Gym yesterday.

Wrestlers Jordan Leen, a senior, and Corey Manson, a sophomore, will enjoy a homecoming of sorts this weekend. The Tennessee natives will lead the wrestling team into their home state where Cornell will square off against Tennessee-Chattanooga.

“I think that [the match was] scheduled so Jordan Leen and Corey Manson can wrestle in front of their home crowds,” said senior Steve Anceravage. “That’s one of the things you miss in college; people you grew up with, family, and friends being able to watch you wrestle.”

Leen appreciates the opportunity.

The wrestling team got off to a great start in its dual meet yesterday. The second-ranked Red took a 14-3 lead into halftime against the 12th-ranked Missouri Tigers. Unfortunately for Cornell, the second half did not go nearly as well. The Tigers swept the five second-half matches en route to a shocking come-from-behind victory.

Cornell fell 14-18 when none of the wrestlers in the upper weight classes were able to earn a victory. Four of the five second-half matches were close, but Missouri came out on top in each of them. Don't lose your head: The wrestling team squandered several opportunities in a heartbreaking 18-14 loss to 12th-ranked Missouri.

It’s not always easy being the head coach of the wrestling team. Rob Koll has shepherded, prodded, cajoled and guided his squad to seven straight (and nine total) Ivy titles, dozens of Invitational victories and the team is currently ranked No. 2 in the country. But wrestling is often left behind in terms of television and radio coverage, as compared to more “marquee” sports such as men’s ice hockey and basketball. But not this Sunday. Hug it out: Junior Taylor Moore (right) grapples with his opponent at the Body Bar Invitational on November 22.