Grapplers Win Opener: Wesleyan, CCNY Fall

The Crimson wrestlers combined their expected strength in the lower weight classes with an unexpected strength in the upper weight classes for 11 pins. 17 triumphs and two lopsided team victories over CCNY and Wesleyan Saturday at Wesleyan.

The Harvard grapplers recorded their first shutout against inexperienced CCNY, 52-0, and came back out on the mats to topple mediocre Wesleyan, 36-12, in the Crimson's first match of the season. Wesleyan saved face against CCNY, 31-14.

Crimson coach John Lee was pleased with the overall performance of the squad and particularly with the efforts of Tony DuBon and Bruce Johnson, replacements for injured Ritchie Starr and Dave Scanlon. "CCNY was stronger this year but they were stronger where we were also stronger," Lee said. "Wesleyan had some good individuals and could have scared us."

As expected, Harvard swept the first four matches, recording five pins in eight matches. Sophomore Dan Blakinger pinned CCNY's Paul McGill in three minutes and threw and pinned his Wesleyan challenger in 36 seconds. Carl Biello also recorded two pins at 126. His second pin came against Bob Barat, a former New England Prep School Champion.

Jerry Kahrilas was especially strong at 134, where he decisioned CCNY, 9-1, and came from a 6-1 deficit for a 12-6 decision over the Wesleyan captain. Josh Henson preserved the Crimson's shutout in each match with a pin and a decision at 142.

The surprise of the match was the strong performance of substitutes DuBon (177) and Johnson (190). Together they recorded four pins in their first varsity performances. Their success boosts the Crimson's chances against Penn and Franklin & Marshall next Saturday. Lee believes both DuBon and Johnson will drop to 167, one of the Crimson's weaker points, when Starr and Scanlon return this week.

Boris Holmes, another freshman, had a successful debut at 150, winning an impressive 5-1 decision against CCNY. Wesleyan defaulted at 150.

Harvard's only trouble came at 158 and 167. Captain Colin Mangrum pinned CCNY's Alloit Pedrinan in his opening match, but he fell behind on two quick takedowns against Wesleyan and eventually lost, 6-5. Harvard's Frank Morgan also won a fall in his opening bout, but he lost a 6-0 decision later to Wesleyan's Dave Larey.

Heavyweight Angelo Mareno had a sore neck and took a forfeit from CCNY and gave a forfeit to Wesleyan.

Lee praised the leg work of his squad Saturday. "We've been concentrating on using the legs, and the Wesleyan coach called me over to ask for some pointers after the match," Lee said. "Most wrestlers are poorest at disengaging from leg rides."