Match up: Behind the scenes with the Ram wrestlers

Cornell’s nationally known wrestling program is
on the upswing, with 12 All-Americans crowned
in head coach Mike Duroe’s five seasons with the
Rams. His young squad has placed in the top 12
four of the past five years at the NCAA Division III
Championships. In 2010, the team was honored
as a National Wrestling Coaches Association All-
Academic Top-20 Team.

Pre-match rituals

Wrestlers train and cut weight for a match later in the day by climbing rope,
practicing on the mat, and riding bikes. Later, the
athletes engage in various
rituals as they prepare for the
meet. One wrestler meditates
while resting on a stability
ball, as his teammate finishes
dressing in the locker room.

   

Zero hour

Above: Senior Nick Nothern dominates his Coe opponent in the Rams’ final
home meet. Nothern went on to place fifth at nationals at 133 pounds and
became the sixth three-time All-American in school history, joining
Chris Heilman ’08, Shawn Voigt ’90, Rodger Snook ’50, Lowell Lange ’50,
and Lyle Morford ’32.

Left: The Cornell coaching
staff gets involved on the sidelines
during a key juncture in the Coe dual
meet. From left: Shawn Voigt ’90,
Mike Duroe, Andrew Knaack, and
Kyle Burkle sport pink breast cancer
awareness T-shirts that sold out in 10
minutes before the meet.

Mat time

Nicholas Loughlin controls his Kohawk opponent in the 157-pound match (above), and goes on to win (below).

Left: Joe Hambleton ices down
after his bout at 174 pounds.

Below: Jake Schwebke works for a fall in his
match at 149 pounds.

Match over

Left: Coach Duroe offers some advice to Alex Riniker following his
165-pound match.
Below right: Nothern’s girlfriend, senior Beth Von, and his father, Chip Nothern,
honor him during a ceremony recognizing the senior wrestlers.

 

Below: Members of the Cornell baseball team roll up the mats at the
conclusion of the meet.