The Binghamton University wrestling team kept up its fast start to the season over the weekend, topping Princeton University 33-15 and, a day later, producing three placewinners at the Penn State Nittany Lion Open.

With the dual victory over the Tigers, BU extended its unbeaten steak to seven to set a new school record for most consecutive victories at the beginning of the season, surpassing the previous mark set by the then-Division III 1979-80 squad.

“[I’m] obviously very proud,” Binghamton head coach Pat Popolizio said. “These guys are working extremely hard, they’ve got very high goals and they are a very motivated team so it is very satisfying. We want to win all the time, and we have been doing that right now. But we’ve got to keep focus and understand what our ultimate goal is. Hopefully there will be more records we can break down the road.”

Popolizio believes the team has certain attributes that set it apart from previous teams he has managed at Binghamton.

“They have higher goal-setting standards,” he said. “They want to win. They like to compete. And they take pride in having success. Everybody is stepping up and playing their role. It’s great.”

BU headed into the weekend in full confidence, having recently acquired its first national top-25 ranking in program history. The Bearcats got off to a slow start against Princeton, however, dropping the first three matches of the meet at 125, 133 and 141 pounds.

No. 9 junior Donnie Vinson got the Bearcats turnaround started with a 16-0 technical fall win at 149 pounds. No. 6 senior Justin Lister and freshman Caleb Wallace notched up pins at 157 and 174 pounds respectively, while senior 165-pound Matt Kaylor earned more points for the team with a major-decision victory.

After decisions by junior 184-pound Nate Schiedel and sophomore 197-pound Cody Reed, a pin by heavyweight freshman Nick Gwiazdowski wrapped up another dual win for Popolizio’s team, who stormed back to win the last seven matches of the meet.

“We got ourselves in a hole with the first three matches,” Popolizio said. “But even if we do find ourselves in a hole, I know we can dig ourselves out, because we have that ability to do that.”

The Bearcats entered only three starters for the Penn State Nittany Lion Open, resting most in preparation for the Reno Tournament of Champions scheduled for Dec. 18.

Vinson won five matches to reach the final before being pinned by Penn State’s Frank Molinaro, the top-ranked wrestler in the nation.

The other two placewinners for the Bearcats were Reed, who placed seventh after going 4-2, and freshman 141-pound Derak Heyman, who placed eighth after going 4-3.

The entire Binghamton team heads to Nevada for the Reno Tournament of Champions next Monday, a trip that Popolizio is looking forward to.

“Reno Tournament has team scoring and there are a lot of teams that are going to be there,” Popolizio said. “So we want to make sure we’re well-rested and more prepared.”

Action is scheduled to get underway at noon on Dec. 18 in Nevada.