Penn’s wrestling team got off to a successful start Sunday, placing a total of eight wrestlers on the podium at Binghamton University’s Binghamton Open.
Seniors Zack Kemmerer and Bryan Ortenzio came in first place at their respective weight classes of 141 and 133 pounds.
Five Penn freshmen put on medal-winning performances in their tournament debuts. C.J. Cobb placed fourth at 133 lbs, Mark Pinero placed fourth at 141 lbs, Steve Robertson placed third at 149 lbs, Lorenzo Thomas notched 5th at 165 lbs and Ian Korb finished 5th at 174 lbs.
Joining them on the stand was senior Erich Smith, a University of Michigan transfer wrestling in only his thirteenth match for the Quakers after sitting out much of last year. He placed 5th in the 184-pound division.
Kemmerer and Ortenzio won their tournaments in far different styles. While Kemmerer claimed his title with a hard-fought, 4-2 win in sudden victory over Cornell’s Mike Nevinger, Ortenzio cruised to victory over NYAC’s Justis Flamio, 6-1, in the finals.
The Quakers return to the Palestra on Sunday to defend their championship at the annual Keystone Classic.
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