Grapplers Hold Tourney

This Saturday a beat-up Harvard wrestling squad (4-6, 0-1 Ivy) will host Albany State University, Boston College and University of Pennsylvania in a meet to be held at the Malkin Athletic Center.

And while Harvard Coach Jim Peckham will be rooting for his team, he'll also be praying for an end to the injuries.

"The injuries come and the injuries come," Peckham said.

For only the second time in his six years at Harvard, Peckham was forced to cancel practice for a week in order to give his ailing squad some time to recover.

Eight Harvard wrestlers have been sidelined briefly during the recent rash of ailments.

Michael Warnick (142 lbs.), who is undefeated, and Bill Counihan (hwt.) are out of this weekend's event.

Peckham is being forced to shuffle his normal line-up in order to compete, meaning some wrestlers will be moving out of their normal weight class, while other, rarely used wrestlers will be getting some unexpected starts.

Despite the injuries, Harvard is fielding a strong squad. Wrestlers to watch include Zach Cooper (190 lbs.) and Frank Fronhofer (150 lbs.).

The Competition

The outlook is bleak for the Division III Great Danes of Albany State against three Division I opponents. Albany State is struggling this year at 7-7-1 in dual meets.

Its season started well with a win at the Oneonta Wrestling Classic. Lately, however, the team has stumbled, placing tenth and 12th at the Coast Guard and New York State wrestling tourneys respectively.

Individually, the Great Danes are led by Rob Appel (126 lbs.) and Allen Gordon (hwt.)

Boston College comes to Cambridge with a 1-13-1 record, but its opponents better not be deceived.

The Eagles will bring some excellent young competitors to the MAC this Saturday.

One hundred and eighteen pound freshman Jim Gallagher has been a standout among the team's eight first-year wrestlers.

Gallagher's triumphs this year include a third-place finish in the Coast Guard Tournament and a win in the National Catholic Schools Championship.