Harvard wrestling Coach Jay Weiss has been around the block. In five seasons, he has orchestrated the exponential rise of the Crimson from the bottom of the EIWA to one of the nation's top contenders. Just last year, his team finished third in the EIWAs and placed 20th at the NCAA Tournament--with three NCAA qualifiers and two All-Americans.

So, when Weiss, now in his sixth season, said this year's team is "something special," his words are those of experience, and not mere hype.

And Harvard has already started to deliver on its billing. At the season opener at Columbia, the Ivy Classic, the Crimson returned to Cambridge with a third place performance that included two individual title winners and eleven top-six finishes.

"Special" indeed, seems a justified description.

The Crimson enters the 1999-2000 season with a talented group of senior leaders, experienced upperclassman, and promising freshmen. Especially exciting is the return of top wrestler and co-captain Ed Mosley, who took a leave of absence last year.

He, along with fellow co-captain Joey Killar will lead a squad that graduated two of its best grapplers Dustin DeNunzio '99 and Joel Friedman '99. With their departure, Harvard loses two wrestlers that were crucial to the rapid development of the program.

Fortunately for the Crimson, DeNunzio--Harvard's all time winningest wrestler--is now an assistant coach for the program he helped build. As a two-time NCAA All-American and EIWA champion, his experience should prove invaluable, especially to the incoming class.

DeNunzio joins an already outstanding assistant coaching staff that includes former Soviet National Coach Granit Taropin and former Harvard All-American Andy McNerney, '83.

With the talent Weiss' bolstered staff has to guide, the Crimson should continue its ascent in the EIWA and the NCAA.

With junior Kevin El-Hayek taking a leave of absence this year, sophomore Brandon Rhoades moves into the forefront at 125-pounds. Finishing last year 7-7, Rhoades has already started to come into his own with a second place performance this past weekend. Also in this class is freshman David Germakian, whose strong sixth place finish Sunday makes him a wrestler to watch out for.

Earning the individual title in 133-pounds at the Ivy Classic (by a commanding 18-10 win), junior Matt Picarsic has set a great tone for the season ahead. A seasoned veteran, Picarsic now seeks to build on an already impressive career that includes two consecutive third place finishes at the EIWAs and a 23-12 record that made him an Honorable Mention All-Ivy pick last year. Joining Picarsic in this weight class are junior John Bachman and freshman Kendrick Sadler.

With DeNunzio gone at 141-pounds, sophomore Eric Swick and freshman Nicholas Picarsic will step into the spotlight. These two are certainly up to the task. After being out on injury most of his freshman year, Swick's return will bolster the squad. He started realizing his promise with a fourth place finish this past weekend. Taking fifth place was Picarsic, an All-State wrestler whose tough wrestling should make this a highly competitive class for Harvard.

Senior Nate Ackerman, sophomore Damien Billow, and freshmen Max Odom and Robert Griffin will takeover the 149-pound weight class wrestled by Friedman last year. After taking last season off, Ackerman is primed for his final season of Harvard wrestling. Billow--who is out on injury until after Thanksgiving--has moved up from 141 pound class he wrestled as a freshman. Odom joins Harvard from Foothill High School-a two-time California state champ. He had made a strong early impression with his third place finish on Sunday. Griffin, also a two-time state champ (MA), rounds out this deep class of Harvard wrestlers.

Senior Kevin Kurtz is nationally ranked at 157 pounds. He placed second this past weekend, picking up right where he left off last season. Kurtz compiled a 25-7 record, fourth place at the EIWAs, first team All-Ivy honors, a first place win at the Ivy Classic and third place at the Cliff Keen Invitational.

Kurtz is complemented by fellow senior Tom Kiler whose toughness and versatility had him competing in both the 157 and 165-lb weight classes last year. Freshman Seth Leighton will also see action in this weight class.

Though it is no small feat being ranked No. 1 in the EIWA at 165-pounds and in the top ten nationally, Killar makes it all seem easy. The phenomenal Killar was an EIWA champion last year and earned All-American accolades with a sixth place finish at NCAAs--despite missing the dual meet season due to injury. His leadership and experience are a critical part of this year's team.

To say that the return of Mosley is a major addition to the Crimson line-up at 174-pounds is an understatement. Also nationally ranked and No. 1 in the EIWA, Mosley is the definition of dominance. He is a three-time NCAA qualifier and has already gotten off to a terrific start with an easy sweep at the Ivy Tournament. Joining Killar as co-captain, Mosley's presence on-and-off the mats is a huge asset to this team.

With top wrestler Fran Volpe taking a leave of absence, the Crimson will look towards freshmen Reggie Lee and Patrick O'Donnell to take charge of the 184-pound class. Lee, a Washington State High School champ, made a strong collegiate debut, with a solid fourth place finish on Sunday. O'Donnell, the Pennsylvania State High School champ, also had a successful start, taking 3rd place in the 174-lb weight class, which he will compete in as well.

With an NCAA tournament under his belt, a second place in the EIWA and a 15-8 record good for Honorable Mention All-Ivy Honors, junior Brad Soltis looks to continue his winning ways at 197-pounds. Ranked No. 1 in the EIWA, he will be a dominate force in matches both within and outside the conference. After seeing limited match time at 184-pounds last year, sophomore David Dinin will join Soltis in this class.

Sophomore heavyweight standout Dawid Rechul is coming off a remarkable rookie performance, capped off by a 23-12 record and a sixth place finish at EIWAs. Finishing fourth this past weekend that included a close battle with Penn's All-American Bandele Adenyi-Bada, Rechul has shown that he is a force to be reckoned with. Freshman Joseph Linhart will also represent Harvard in the heavyweight division.

Altogether, this talented group of individuals collectively forms a team in perfect keeping with Coach Weiss' tradition of excellence. The Crimson will spend the first half of the season competing in tournaments all over the country, facing some of the nation's finest teams. Beginning in late January, the dual meet portion of the season will begin.

Defending EIWA champion Penn, and Cornell, remain the Crimson's biggest rivals and best competition. All three teams are pretty well matched putting this year's championship up for grabs.

If Harvard performs up to its potential, it should be in the title hunt to the very end, with its individual wrestlers continuing to distinguish themselves on the national scene.