The Binghamton University wrestling team has been having a successful season to this point, crowning multiple place-winners in tournaments and winning 11 of its 14 dual meets. However, the Bearcats’ success will be put to its greatest test yet this weekend, with dual meets against Cornell University and Iowa State University.
After finding great success over the course of the winter recess, the Bearcats won the New York State Championship this past weekend, which they hosted in the West Gym. After competing with 19 other schools from around the state, Binghamton finished with 149.5 points en route to the team title, with four individual champions crowned.
Binghamton is set to travel to Cornell today, looking to get a victory over one of the nation’s best wrestling programs. Cornell is known as being one of the powerhouses in collegiate wrestling, and has had a comfortable hold on the top national ranking for quite some time. However, Cornell has slipped up recently. Last week the Big Red suffered a loss to Lehigh University for their first dual meet loss of the season. Because of this, Cornell has dropped to second in the national ranking, giving Binghamton the opportunity it needs to pull an upset this Friday.
“We’ve been preparing for Cornell all year,” said Binghamton head coach Pat Popolizio. “Our mindset is still the same for this meet as it has been all year and we won’t change much except for some of the individual matchups.”
Iowa State may also be vulnerable this weekend after dropping in the rankings from No. 12 to No. 15. Binghamton last squared off with Iowa State on Nov. 18, 2007 at the Journeyman Sprawl and Brawl, which was held at the West Gym. Iowa State, ranked No. 2 in the nation at the time, won the dual 30-15. Popolizio knows that facing two of the top wrestling programs back-to-back is going to be a challenge.
“We know it’s going to be a tough weekend,” Popolizio said. “Both dual meets are going to be a dogfight, but as long as our guys come out and compete we can be competitive in both meets. We can’t hold back anything and we have to expect to win. We have to prove that we’re a program that is close, if not on equal footing, to the programs we’re competing against.”
In order for the Bearcats to find success at these meets they will need all of their experienced wrestlers to contribute. Juniors Justin Lister (165 pounds) and Matt Kaylor (157) are both coming off winning NYS Championships in their respective weight classes and their veteran experience will be needed this weekend. Senior 141-pounder Anwar Goeres, who won a match at last year’s NCAA tournament, will also be looked upon for quality performances this weekend. However, sophomore Donnie Vinson, ranked No. 12 nationally at 149 pounds by InterMat, and fellow sophomore Nate Schiedel, ranked No. 10 at 184 pounds, may be the difference-makers that will lead the Bearcats to victory over these two nationally ranked opponents. Vinson is a perfect 14-0 in dual meets this season. Schiedel has 27 overall wins and nine pins this season, both team highs.
“I expect all five of our national qualifiers to show their experience,” Popolizio said. “Those guys have to show their leadership and compete with these guys.”
Although Binghamton University has had great success so far this season and has a pair of nationally ranked wrestlers, they have yet to break into the top 25 in the NWCA/USA Today Coaches Poll. The Bearcats hope to get over this hump with two key wins this Friday and Sunday.
“We know that we’re the underdog,” Popolizio said. “But there’s no reason why we can’t go out and win four or five of the key matches to put ourselves in position to win both meets.”
The Bearcats are scheduled to visit Cornell tonight in a match beginning at 6:30 p.m. They will then host the Cyclones in their second dual meet of the weekend at 6 p.m. Sunday in the West Gym.