A week after competing in their first duals of the winter season, Columbia’s wrestlers are heading out west to compete in the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Collegiate Wrestling Invitational this weekend. The Lions (1-1-1) will be competing against 43 other schools from around the nation.
Last year, Columbia finished in 27th place at the tournament behind a strong performance by then-sophomore heavyweight Ryan Flores, who finished fifth in his bracket but is no longer on the team roster.
The Lions expect some heavy competition over the weekend and are not likely to finish in the top echelon. “This weekend we go to Las Vegas, where we will have an opportunity to upset some nationally ranked wrestlers,” head coach Brendan Buckley said via e-mail.
Some candidates to pull major upsets include junior Eren Civan, at 165 pounds, who went 3-0 last week at the Northeast Duals and has had a strong start to the season. Sophomore Kyle Gilchrist, at 125 pounds, and sophomore heavyweight Kevin Lester also went undefeated a week ago.
Four freshmen are also in the lineup this weekend, led by Steve Santos at 149 pounds. Fellow classmates Jake O’Hara (141 pounds), Stephen West (174 pounds), and Chris Manna (285 pounds) will also gain experience by competing in one of the nation’s elite tournaments.
Last Saturday, the Lions kicked off their day with a 20-13 loss to Bloomsburg before battling to an 18-18 tie with North Carolina. They finished with an authoritative 41-3 victory over Sacred Heart.
After this weekend’s tournament, the Lions have nearly a month before they next compete. On Jan. 3, 2010, George Mason and Ohio State will be in Morningside Heights for a pair of duals in the afternoon. Also over break, the Light Blue will wrestle in the Pitt Duals on Jan. 9.
The Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational begins Friday at 10 a.m. and continues until Saturday afternoon at the Star of the Desert Arena in Primm, Nev.
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