Matmen Topple Quakers On Kopecki, Naylor Pins

Lightning pins by Crimson lightweights Andy Kopecki and Danny Naylor led Harvard to a 24-12 victory over a rugged Penn squad Saturday.

The extra four points from the two pins were all that kept Harvard in the lead for most of the meet until decisions by Paul Padlak (177), Howie Freedman (191), and a Bob Panoff (hvy.) pin put it away for good.

Kopecki had the fastest pin of the three, only 29 seconds into the second period. Ahead 3-2, but in the bottom position, he sat-out, turned in, and--on his knees--flipped Penn's Mike Hannon on to his back for an unstoppable pin.

Naylor, moved up from his normal 130-position to 137, took 28 seconds slower than that to dispose of his man. The sophomore used a lateral drop to take Vie Antes from standing position to his back.

So even though Harvard and Penn split the first four matches--Howie Henjyoji (130) and Carl Baum (145) lost tough decisions--the Crimson led at that point, 10-6. And, going into Padlak's match, the pins gave Harvard a 13-12 lead even though Penn was ahead in victories, five to four.

Back at the Ranch

In between, there was a solid victory by captain Ed Franquemont (151), 6-1, over Jed Olmstead and two Harvard losses. Tom Haney decisioned sophomore Dick Low (160), 13-7, and Joe Geeb did likewise to Chris Wickens (167), 15-8.

But Harvard sweated its one-point lead for only one match. Padlak broke a 2-2 deadlock with Penn's Dave Labosky in the second period with a combination reversal and predicament for four points of an eventual 8-5 victory.

Sophomore Freedman took Tom Traud for a 6-1 decision and classmate Panoff followed with his 4:41 pin over Art Haney to salt away the Crimson victory, and give Harvard a 2-0 Ivy record going into exam break.