"The deaths have not changed anything about how I approach losing weight before a match," junior tri-captain Ed Mosley said. "A good diet is the most important factor in controlling that."

Recently, the NCAA has been considering another idea to help ensure the safety of college wrestlers: the adding, dropping, or altering of the weight classes themselves.

Neurosurgeon Stephen Papadopoulos, member of the Board in Control of Inter-collegiate Athletics, has been one of the first to address the need for change in the weight class alignments.

"We probably need more weight classes, and the weight classes need to be changed," Papadopoulos said.

Weiss also fervently supports this proposal.

"Many of the older coaches think the weight classes should be kept the same," Weiss said. "The athlete has evolved. I think there should be an adjustment."

Weiss also stated that there have been rumors circulating among the college coaching ranks that the NCAA may drop its 118-pound weight class and add a 215-pound weight class in an effort to discourage massive weight-loss.

When asked if it was more difficult to lose weight the lighter you are, Mosley said, "Sure. It's more difficult to cut that weight when you're lighter because it's a higher percentage of your body weight. It's tough."

With the possibility of a higher danger for the lighter wrestlers, the idea of dropping the 118-pound class might not be a bad one.

These tragedies and the Band-Aid reparations have struck another blow against a sport that has been fighting for its life. In recent years, the number of schools that carry wrestling as a varsity sport has been steadily declining, and the deaths of the three young men cannot have helped its case.

"This news comes at the worst possible time for wrestling, but obviously there is never a good time for people to die," Weiss commented.

Still, the Crimson wrestlers have seemed to transcend and adjust to their new situation quickly and easily. Harvard wrestlers are refusing to let the turmoil affect their concentration as they prepare to lock horns with Princeton and Springfield this Friday.

"Cutting weight is only a very small part of the sport; our focus is going to be on technique," Weiss said.

Mosley remained unflappable in light of the recent media blitz and NCAA influence, stating, "Wrestlers love wrestling, not cutting weight. This will be positive for all of us."

Freshman Dan Kaganovich, a 118-pound grappler, added, "Cutting weight is probably what wrestlers hate most."

Volpe agreed, "It's not fun losing weight at all."

The question is: If losing weight is the least enjoyed facet of the sport, why are wrestlers losing their lives to do it? Perhaps the answer lies in the reason that most young men become involved in wrestling: they have a deep-seated desire to win. The same rugged individualism within a team atmosphere that allows them to emerge from a match victoriously, chains them to the necessary evils of the game. This situation leaves the weight of the world on their shoulders.

Amidst this "Weightgate," Harvard's matmen will continue to do what they do best: focus on techniques and superior preparation. While the future of the sport remains undetermined, wrestlers around the country continue their quest for success. Any obstacle on the road to victory will be moved, no matter how heavy it may be.