Max N. Brondfield

Crimson wrestling hopes one day to be an elite program, but if Saturday was any indication, the squad has a long way to go.

The Crimson returned home to compete at the Gordon Indoor Track and Tennis Center for the first time this year, posting six wins and earning an ECAC and IC4A qualification at the Harvard Invitational Saturday.

Over a month between competitions did not slow the Harvard track team. The Crimson men and women headed to Hanover, N.H. last weekend for the Dartmouth Relays, in which both squads took fourth.

With a number of injuries making the success of Harvard wrestling uncertain, the squad emerged from its first weekend of dual meets to prove one thing—the Crimson will not go down without a fight.

With a full Broncos student section heckling the heralded co-captain and thousands wielding signs and t-shirts of support, Lin sparked a unique atmosphere in his homecoming game, a 74-66 victory for Harvard.

Harvard wrestling returned to action this week, but the grapplers still seem to be on vacation.

Strength coach Craig Fitzgerald left Harvard almost a year ago, but it seems his fear-inspiring legacy just won’t die.

The Crimson stayed close to home at the Reggie Lewis Center on Saturday for the first annual Jay Carisella Track and Field Invitational, capping off the day with three individual wins and two IC4A qualifiers. Overall, the men’s and women’s squads boasted 21 top-six finishes on the day.

Despite thin air and a weary squad, the Crimson (3-3) dispatched the Privateers, 60-57, on Friday night before falling to the heavily-favored Buffaloes, 67-65, on Saturday.

If the fall season is meant for practice, Harvard is getting plenty of it, going toe-to-toe with some of the nation’s best teams. Unfortunately for Crimson wrestling, it knows that top-tier competition comes with a price.