The Virginia Wrestling squad will look to start off the season on the right foot as they face in-state rival James Madison in a dual match tonight in Harrisonburg.
Virginia maintains the upper hand in the overall record between the two teams at 15-4-1. Last year, however, the Dukes defeated the Cavaliers in Charlottesville.
"They beat us last year," junior Tim Foley said. "We went with half a team, but still we need to go up there inspired. We're a legitimate team."
Several Cavaliers are coming off strong individual performances at the 2002 Sharpie-Carolina Wrestling Open that took place this past Saturday in Chapel Hill, N.C.
Foley led Virginia by winning the 157-pound class and finished with a 5-0 individual record.
"I'm coming off surgery, so for the past two weeks I've worked really hard and really relied on the coaches," Foley said.
Seniors Josh Etu and Bob Seidel also showed off their skill and power in the competition. Etu went 4-1 on the day in the heavyweight division before falling in the finals, while Seidel went 3-1 in the 147-pound class and finished as the runner-up.
"Bob Seidel is having a very strong year," Virginia coach Lenny Bernstein said. "He's 10-4 so far and he can compete with just about anyone in the country. Six out of his 10 wins were pins."
Red-shirt junior Joe Alexander finished with a 3-1 record at the 133-pound class in his first appearance since winning the ACC Championship last season.
Sophomore Will Durkee also took fourth place in the 165-pound class while going 3-2 overall.
"Will Durkee placed in every tournament that we've been in," Bernstein said. "He pinned a guy that was a national qualifier."
Virginia will have to look to its seniors for leadership this season because the team is so young. The Cavaliers have 10 true freshmen on the squad this year and seven sophomores.
"Coach knew that we were going to be pretty senior-heavy last year, so they really went out and recruited," Foley said. "This year's second year class is carrying a lot of the weight."
"We have two guys at 125, both are first years -- Ian Durath and Brian Sticca." Coach Bernstein said. "Their styles are almost diametrically opposed to each other."
Sticca finished 4-1 at the 125-pound class in Carolina and hopes to continue his success tonight.
James Madison has only the Slippery Rock Open under their belt, in which the Dukes competed on Nov. 23. JMU is an experienced squad that has nine seniors on its roster this season.
Bernstein has an optimistic outlook for the upcoming season, even with a young team leading the way.
"In the ACC, I think it comes down to a three-game race: us, NC State and North Carolina," Bernstein said. "We'll need to be healthy to give ourselves the best opportunity."
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