Although at times our "concentrations" and "TFs" can be baffling jargon, there was such no confusion this weekend at the two Harvard wrestling tournaments.

Call it power. Call it determination. Or even relentlessness. Either way the message was perfectly clear: The Harvard wrestling team is on the rise.

The Crimson, ranked No. 24 in the country, finished 3-1 in a two-day battle on the mats. Friday evening, Harvard easily swept both Princeton, 38-3, and Springfield, 35-6.

Saturday proved a bit more challenging. The team defeated UMass-Lowell, 25-18, but lost a well-fought meet against Penn, 21-9, who came to this meet ranked No. 14.

Friday's matches were ones of sheer dominance. The freshmen were especially impressive against Princeton, with Kevin El-Hayek winning in the 126-pound weight class and Brad Soltis winning at 190 pounds, each of whom pinned their opponents.

Springfield was also defeated with ease. Tri-captain James Butera started the meet with a pin, only to be followed later by sophomore Fran Volpe, who pinned his competitor in the first period.

The most exciting matches of the evening may have been the two victories by senior Lauralee Summer and freshman Danielle Hobeika, the first two female wrestlers at Harvard. In their matches against the women of Springfield, both pinned their opponents.

"It was fun just to go out there and get more experience, especially since this was the first time ever on Harvard mats," Hobeika said.

Harvard Coach Jay Weiss was very pleased with Friday's showing.

"It was so great to see so many kids take a step up. We wrestled well from top to bottom," Weiss said.

The Crimson faced tougher competition Saturday afternoon against UMass-Lowell. But the Harvard wrestlers were up to the task.

Freshmen Matt Picarsic (126 pounds) and Adam Truitt (177 pounds), juniors Nate Ackerman (158 pounds) and Curtis Anderson (167 pound), and sophomores Tom Kiler (142 pounds) and Kevin Kurtz (150 pounds)--each of whom won against Princeton the day before--turned in more great performances.

Freshman Scott Smider, despite losing, also put in a good effort at heavyweight, which is above his weight class.

After a pin by Kurtz, Harvard gained solid control of the meet--control which it would not relinquish.

"I've had such a great time with these guys," Truitt said. "Everybody pushes everybody. It is a really supportive atmosphere."