Big Year for the Big Red: Coach Rob Koll Previews Cornell's 2014-15 Season

Cornell head coach Rob Koll provides a look at the 2014-15 Big Red squad, a group looking to stand on top of the EIWA (again) and aiming to climb to the top at the NCAA tournament in March of 2015 in St. Louis.

BY ROB KOLL

It might be a little early, but many of our most fanatical followers and friends have started peppering me with "who is going at such and such weight, what freshmen will break into the line-up, how do you look so good and young at your age, etc."  Since I have grown tired of answering the same questions five times a day, I figure it is time to write my preseason outlook.  

Each year we have a couple of newcomers who jump into the national limelight.  Although this year we don't have a large incoming class, I do forecast a line-up featuring a few fresh faces who we fully expect to help us furnish a fantastic finish.

125 Pounds:

We expect nothing less than a national title for Nahshon Garrett.  So far, Nahshon has placed 3rd and 2nd, and this year we expect he will continue the trajectory.  He has made significant improvements each year. My assistant coaches have worked with Nahshon on his technique, while I have taught him his speed and arm length.

133 Pounds:

Up until this weekend, I would be talking about Mark Grey at this weight class.  However, it now appears that Mark has grown out of the weight.  He probably grew out of it last year, but anyone who knows the Grey clan will tell you that a day without pain, suffering and sacrifice is not a day worth living.

In his place, we are fortunate to have former NCAA qualifier Nick Arujau and Bricker Dixon (41-24, 7th EIWA).  Nick had a great summer of training and will be hard to beat. Bricker has been in and out of the line-up for the past three years.  He is consistent, reliable and would be starting at most Division I programs.

Last season, junior Logan David broke into the starting line-up when Mark Grey suffered a midseason injury.  During his time in the limelight, Logan battled like a true champion.  He rides like a barnacle, and when he lets go you can almost hear the slurrrrop of his suction-like tendrils releasing their grip.  

141 Pounds:

Mark Grey made it to the round of 12 last year, and this year he will be on the podium.  He looks like a national champion in the room and our goal is to keep him looking the same in March.  Last season, Mark started out fast but got banged up in Las Vegas in December.  He fought through the injury, but never really got back to full strength.  

Ryan Dunphy has been wrestling at 149 but may finish his career at 141. This cut will require a great deal of discipline, but if he does it correctly, Ryan could be very effective at the lower weight.

Sophomores Eli Bienstock, Corey Dake and Joe Rendina all have a great deal of potential but sadly have been chronically plagued with non-season ending, but performance-inhibiting, injuries.

Freshmen Griffin Higginbotham and Dylan Realbuto round out the depth chart at this weight.  Both wrestlers were high school state champions and both spent last year training at the Finger Lakes Regional Training Center.  Dylan is the brother of All-American Brian.

149 Pounds:

Chris Villalonga had a fantastic season, minus a couple of seconds at the NCAA tournament.  Chris went 34-4 last year and has 92 career victories. Barring injury, Chris will easily break into the top ten in all-time wins for a Cornell wrestler.

Freshman Alex Cisneros has limitless potential.  He could wrestle anywhere from 157-141, although I do not expect to see him at the lower weight until second semester, if ever.

157 Pounds:

The bad news is Craig Eifert and Chris Dowdy are unavailable until the second semester and All-American Brian Realbuto underwent knee surgery in the spring and will not be available until December, at the earliest. The good news is Taylor Simaz is a year older, stronger and wiser.  I have zero doubt that he is more than up for the challenge!  

Freshman Matt Russo spent last year in our regional training center. He is one of very few wrestlers that made it onto our team, coming from the NYC private schools.  Matt is a fierce and intelligent competitor.

165 Pounds:

Dylan Palacio walked on to the soccer team and has made an immediate impact.  Normally I would have discouraged such a move due to training and conditioning issues.  In this case, I am confident Dylan will be in great condition, but I am also cheering for an early exit from the NCAA qualifier for the soccer team!  Dylan will be back by early to mid-November.  

Sophomore Jake George, (Billy’s younger, better looking and smarter brother -- his words), returned to campus about 10 pounds larger and a couple hundred of hours of tanning darker.  Jake wrestled one varsity match for us last year and will likely see action early on.

174 Pounds:

Duke Pickett had a 17-7 record and placed 7th at the EIWA tournament. Duke has a great gas tank and will be tough to beat.  He will be pushed by senior Jesse Shanaman and freshman Jacob Taylor.

Jesse has wrestled from 157-174 pounds, compiling a 54-29 lifetime record.  He has battled injuries throughout his career, but can be a serious threat now that he is healthy. Taylor was a PA state and national champion in high school. He wrestled for the Finger Lakes WC last year.

184 Pounds:

Gabe Dean is ranked #1 in the country and he rightly deserves this honor. Gabe placed 3rd in the Junior World Championships this summer after only wrestling freestyle for one year.  

Realistically, senior Billy George and sophomore Daniel Choi will have a tough time breaking into the starting line-up.  That being said, I do not believe we have two harder-working, or more team-oriented young men.  Like many of our wrestlers, these two would be starting in many other rooms.  

197 Pounds:

Jace Bennett had 31 victories last year and should easily surpass the 100-win milestone this year. Jace has finally grown into a full-fledged 197-pound wrestler.  Jace is a prolific pinner and he’s wirier than Texas Thistle, aka Cirsium texanum. Our national championship hopes lie squarely on his shoulders.  

Sophomores Steve Congenie and Owen Scott have enjoyed some success and both have the talent to challenge for the starting role.  Both wrestlers have struggled through season-ending injuries.  Now that they are both healthy, we have one of the deepest weights of any team in the US.

285 Pounds:

Jacob Aiken-Phillips, aka JAP, quietly amassed 23 wins last year and defeated 3 NCAA qualifiers.  He has put on about 20 pounds over the summer. Unfortunately it's not all muscle, but we're working on it!  

JAP's competition will come from Craig Scott.  Scott injured his knee in his first match last year.  Assuming he stays healthy, I believe he, along with JAP, will contend for All-American honors.

Senior George Famutimi and Dennis Atiyeh round out this weight class.  George is big and strong, while Dennis is quick but undersized.  Fortunately, the Friedman Center is located adjacent to the Weill Institute for Cell and Molecular Biology.  I have contacted a couple of friends in this department and they have agreed to fuse these two together to create the perfect wrestler.  The only other time this was attempted was in 2001 when we fused Travis Lee with a Short-Toed Asian Wolverine. The resultant combination was virtually unstoppable.

Freshman Rob Incorvaia will step into the arena as a true freshman.  This is tough at any weight, but particularly at 285, where strength plays such a pivotal role in success.  To his credit, Rob has been attacking the weights.

-------------------------------------------------

A few more things:

Three Cornell Wrestlers Earn Freshman All-Academic Honors

Garrett and Dean Selected to Compete in NWCA All-Star Classic

Cornell 2nd in WIN's Preseason Poll

To view the Big Red's schedule, see this link.

‍