Wrestlers Finish Seventh In Connecticut Tournament

Faced with some of the strongest competition in the country, the varsity wrestling team managed to place seventh out of ten teams at the Coast Guard Academy tournament Friday and Saturday.

Syracuse, one of the nation's best teams, beat Army in a tight battle for first place. Mankato State of Minnesota was third and Lehigh, which is ranked number four in the national standings, finished a surprisingly low fourth. Franklin and Marshall took fifth place, and Wesleyan sixth.

Fred Pereira wrestled his way in the 177-pound class to the finals of the tournament, but was stopped twice by Army's Natvig, last years national champion at 147 pounds.

Mike Grans won two matches at 130, the second an upset victory in a gruolling overtime. James Gaffney also added valuable points to the Crimson score with two wins at 137.

Captain Bob Kolodney face much stronger opposition this year than last, when he won the tournament, and was unable to qualify for the final rounds.

Coach Bob Pickett felt that the weekend had been more valuable in terms of experience than in statistical results. "We feel we did pretty well," said Pickett, "but the opportunity to wrestle the schools in the tournament is of more significant value."

The Crimson will face Franklin and Marshall this Wednesday. Pickett stated that it was difficult to determine the relative strengths of the teams in a tournament. But the Diplomats finished two places ahead of the Crimson Saturday, and even then were not at full strength.