Wrestling loses clash of titans

By Leo Rommel

As far as Rider’s sports go, the wrestling team is certainly not among the most talked about. That’s too bad. The fans have no idea what they’re missing.

As of Feb. 21, the men’s wrestling squad ranked second in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) with 35 points, six points ahead of third-seeded Drexel and 14 points behind top-seeded Hofstra, who, by the way, is likely the only team standing between Rider and a conference championship.

Rider lost to Hofstra last Monday, 22-15, in an extraordinarily hard-fought match. Hofstra, the No. 20 ranked team in the nation, played brilliantly, as expected.
But it was Rider, who came in as the clear-cut underdog, which made the grandest impression.

T.J. Morrison, in only his second year, remarkably took down the No. 20 ranked wrestler in the nation with a two-point take down with five seconds left in the match. Not only did the win improve his record in the CAA to 8-1, but it was also his third win in as many tries that week.

The stunning victory gift wrapped Morrison’s “CAA Wrestler of the Week” honor, which was given to him the following day.

“I think this was a major breakthrough for T.J., as far as composure and confidence,” said Gary Taylor, now in his 28th year as head coach. “I am not the least bit surprised with his ability. He’s always had it.”

Another youngster, freshman Mike Kessler, also played marvelously. He defeated two-time All-American Jon Mesa, 10-8, in a performance that emphasized the bright future Rider’s wrestling has in store.

“Any time you see someone like Mike, at his age, take down a giant like Mesa, it’s truly remarkable,” said Taylor. “He’s an outstanding athlete and his performance was truly inspiring.”

Ultimately, however, Hofstra’s narrow escape extended the school’s conference dual meet wining streak to an astonishing 46-0-1. Rider has not won a dual meet with Hofstra since 1999.

“We can beat Hofstra,” Taylor said. “I know it and my players know it. We have the talent. All we need is more consistency.”

With the conference tournament lurking, Taylor promises to turn the intensity knob up.

“This is a very good team, better then they know,” said Gary Taylor. “This isn’t the best team we’ve ever had, but in another year or two, after these fellows continue to grow and improve, it could be.”

The team is saturated with youth. Thirteen of the team’s 21 members are underclassmen, and there only two are seniors, meaning that 19 will be uniform next season in 2006-07.

“As good as we are, we can be better,” Taylor explains. “We’re not a deep team, at least not as deep as we’d like to be. We have some kids that are ineligible, some that have been red-shirted, and some that are out because of injury.

“But once we get everyone together, who knows how far we can go.”

Rider’s excellence in wrestling is not a recent phenomenon. The school has been at the top of the conference for 15 of the last 20 years, winning conference championships 13 times, and finished runner-up in the Colonial Athletic Association last year. In 1997, the school cracked the top 10 in the national poll, and was ranked seventh in the nation over the final five weeks of the season by the Amateur Wrestling News.

In 1996, nine Broncs were invited to the NCAA National Championships, where only perennial national champion Iowa had more with 10. The school finished that dual meet season ranked 24th in the country.

And in spite of all that, Rider’s wrestling is vaguely spoken of.

“At a small school like Rider, it’s great to have a team you can consistency depend on,” said Taylor. “I know our sport is not as common around here as say, basketball or even baseball, but more recognition for our men is always welcome.”

Rider University will compete at the CAA Championships on March 3, where the victor will be invited to participate in the NCAA tournament at Oklahoma City.