Wrestlers Win Big At Parker Tourney

Harvard's sports magic didn't just start and finish at the Game this weekend.

It passed right from The Stadium to Springfield, Mass. where the Harvard wrestling team dominated the Doug Parker Invitational this Saturday.

Competing against over 200 students from 15 New England schools, Harvard captured first place in six of ten weight classes.

Harvard got outstanding performances from two unlikely sources: freshman Steven Gerstung and junior Nick Cianciola.

Gerstung advanced through the tournament all the way to the finals at 150 pounds. He was finished second in that division, to senior Co-Captain Frank Fronhofer.

"We look for great things from Steve," said Assistant Coach Richard Hasenfus.

Cianciola captured first place at 126 pounds, after taking a two-year leave of absence from Harvard and wrestling.

A two-time state champion for his high school in Ohio, Cianciola registered a huge upset of Springfield's Mike Pimental, a two-time qualifier to the NCAA tournament.

Junior Bill Counihan overcame a string of injuries to take first place at 190 pounds, while senior Co-Captain Chris Sanzone (167 pounds), junior John Drosos (177 pounds) and junior Zachary Cooper (heavyweight) also took their respective divisions.

Sophomore Sam Ferrell took third at 158 pounds and sophomore Khris Reina took fourth at 150 pounds.

"This season has been a pleasant surprise," Captain Chris Sanzone said. "Everyone has really come together. Team unity is something we really haven't had. It's good to see."

Sanzone said the team gained valuable experience from the tournament, but needs more if it hopes to perform well at December's Coast Guard Invitational, which seeds wrestlers for the national-qualifying tournament.

"We need more experience on the mat. Confidence is the most important factor," Sanzone said.