Operating at club sport status without a coach and holding practices to fit individuals' schedules, Dartmouth's wrestlers have learned to be versatile. While most athletes would view these circumstances as roadblocks, adaptation defines the sport of wrestling and the Big Green grapplers are not about to let their situation interfere with their goals.
"The motivation has to come from within in our position," said Pete Mancoll '97, a 167 pound starter. "We don't have someone always telling us what to do or where to be."
Although the team does not have a professional coach, they have found the next best thing in senior Casey Barnett. Competing at the 158 pound weight class, Barnett is the most experienced wrestler on the team, and is pleased with the squad's attitude and outlook.
"We've increased the intensity this year, and the quality of the wrestlers has improved" Barnett said. "We've only lost three starters from last year."
Team unity and increased practice time are the keys Barnett points to for success. "We are lot closer as a group this year," he said. "Everyone wrestles everyone in practice, no matter their weight, and the guys have been willing to put in the extra time."
In their season opener Saturday against Vermont, the Big Green lost a hard fought battle 21-34. Charging hard out the gates, Dartmouth built an early 18-0 lead, with two forfeits and a pin.
The first forfeit came in the third period of the 118 pound match when UVM's Dan Gano gave into the pain inflicted on him by Dartmouth's dominating Eugene Lee. Lee controlled the match from the opening whistle, and by the third period, Gano decided he had had enough.
The comfortable cushion did not last long though. With pins at 142 and 150, UVM suddenly found itself back in the thick of things, down by only six, and looking to take control.
The turnaround was not to come at the 158 pound class. In the hardest fought battle of the evening, Barnett repeatedly fought off the single-leg attack of UVM's Will Hanson, pulling off a thrilling 3-1 overtime victory.
The Big Green could not ride the wave of their coaches victory, however, as they saw their lead slip away in the final three matches of the evening. UVM's talented trio at 167, 177, and 189 all came away with pins, and the Catamounts gained six free points from Dartmouth's forfeit at heavyweight to steal the home club's apparent victory.
Even after the tough defeat, Dartmouth remained optimistic, looking forward to the rest of their season. This weekend, the squad travels to Princeton for a competitive tournament involving most of the Ivy League.
"This is definitely Dartmouth's best chance in the past eight seasons to finish in the top four at the Princeton tournament," an upbeat Barnett added.
With the season just beginning and the team's positive attitude and work ethic, success must be soon to follow.
