October 2, 2003

SPORTS

The Norwich Guidon

NU wrestling trains to prepare for upcoming season

By Carson Miller
Norwich Guidon Staff Writer

The Norwich University wrestling team began intensive practicing in early September, looking to compete against the top New England schools.

"Our ultimate goal is to win New England as a team," said team captain Jarod Prior, 21, an architecture major from Tampa, Fla.

The team is preparing for this season by running up Payne Mountain carrying each other on their backs, lifting weights and using live wrestling techniques. Currently the team consists of between 53 and 60 wrestlers. By the time the meets begin, only about 35 will remain. Four of 35 members are captains Jarod Prior, Jon Capen, Dan Whelan and Matt Thurston

"A lot of people will drop because they just can't take it," said Prior, referring to the sport's demands. There are six starters returning from last year and two of the current captains are coming back from injuries. There are also many promising freshmen spread out in the weight classes. Most team members will compete in at least 40 matches during the season and the team as a whole will compete in 15 to 20 dual meets.

The Cadets' first meet is on the first weekend of November against Ithaca College. The first home meet is Dec. 8 on the basketball courts in Adams.

Co-Captain Jon Capen is preparing to beat one of Norwich's wrestling records for most takedowns and is currently holding at 29. He hopes to surpass the record of 53 before he graduates in the spring. Capen also holds a national Division III record for 17 pins.

The team hopes to win first place this year, something no other school has done against Springfield College since the competition began.

The captains are confident that this year is going to be a highly competitive one.

"The team has a lot of depth, and that is very important in college wrestling," Prior said.

In his last year at Norwich, Prior isn't going to let any other team stand in his way, even rival Springfield College. "We can beat anyone we wrestle," he said. "I know we can."

The wrestling team has about a month before its first meet against Ithaca at the Ithaca Invitational on Nov. 8.

"I know we have the guys who will put in the hard work, which is what we need to win New England," Prior said.

The Norwich Guidon is a twice-monthly student newspaper distributed at Norwich University. It provides laboratory experience for students in the Communications program. Claims asserted by letter writers, editorials and other articles do not represent the positions of Norwich University. The Norwich Guidon welcomes signed letters to the editor. They should be no longer than 300 words. Unsigned letters will not be printed, but names may be withheld upon worthy request. All letters are subject to editing for length and good taste. Mailing address: The Norwich Guidon, Communications Center, Norwich University, Northfield, VT 056632. www.norwich.edu/guidon. If you have any questions or comments about the paper, please contact Professor Ken Bush at kbush@norwich.edu.