Oct. 28, 2006
Stanford, Calif. - The Stanford wrestling team kicked off the 2006-07 season today, as seven sets of wrestlers faced off in the annual intrasquad match to determine the team's starting line-up.
In the first of the afternoon's two exhibitions, 2006 All-American Tanner Gardner came out on top of freshman Cameron Teitelman, 16-2.
In the next match, an exhibition between sophomores Rafael Chavez and Steven Frehn, Chavez claimed a 10-2 decision.
Sophomore Tyler Parker topped freshman Lucas Espericueta, 6-2, in the 149-pound match.
At 157 pounds, junior Josh Zupancic, who was the starter at 149 pounds last season, followed with a 10-1 decision over redshirt freshman Peter Miller.
In the most anticipated match of the afternoon, the squad's lone senior, Brian Perry, claimed the starting spot over junior Scott Loescher, last year's starter at 157 pounds, 6-1.
Sophomore Luke Feist reclaimed his starting spot at 174 pounds, beating freshman Alex Muller by fall in 2:30.
In the battle of two promising freshmen at 184 pounds, Zack Giesen posted a 6-2 decision over Jake Johnson.
There were no matches at 125 pounds, 133 pounds, 141 pounds, 197 pounds or heavyweight, as Gardner, Chavez, Jared Boyer and Phillip Doerner did not need to compete for starting spots today. The starter at 133 pounds has yet to be determined.
"I was pleased to see the guys wrestle hard today," said head coach Kerry McCoy. "It was nice get some competition in a competition setting rather than just in practice. I'm very happy with how we wrestled. We still have some decisions to make in some weight classes, but the bottom line is we'll be ready for next week."
The line-up determined today will likely be the Cardinal starting line-up for the Avalon Duals in Erie, Pa. next Saturday. At the season-opening event, the Cardinal will wrestle Mercyhurst, Maryland and Edinboro.