"You should have seen the coaches from Nebraska when the announcer said over the loudspeaker that coming down to the last match Harvard could still upset Nebraska," said Picarsic. "That trip made our guys realize that as a team we could beat these top ten programs."

Especially exciting was sophomore Patrick O'Donnell's poignant victory at 165-pounds over Iowa State's Joe Heskett, the No. 1 ranked wrestler who had been undefeated prior to O'Donnell's Herculean feat. Coming from behind and forcing overtime for the huge win, O'Donnell asserted himself as wrestler to be both respected and feared.

At the end of January, the team began its dual meet season. Despite tough losses against Lehigh and Penn, Harvard went on to win seven consecutive meets by a combined score of 241-45 and an impressive 24 pins. Included in this streak was a decisive 28-13 win over Cornell-the first Crimson victory over the Big Red in seventeen years. This huge win put Harvard in the driver's seat for a share of the Ivy-League title. A solid victory over Brown then sealed this claim to the title, making this the Ivy champions of Harvard wrestling. Harvard holds the title with both Penn and Cornell, by virtue of the dual meet season results-Harvard beat Cornell and Cornell beat Penn, but Penn beat Harvard.

But the firsts were far from over for this driven, talented squad. In an incredible showing that epitomized the passion of this team, the Crimson completely dominated EIWAs, the most important tournament of the season.

"The EIWA tournament is what we prepare and try to peak for," Weiss said. "Our training was great, injuries were at a minimum and everyone really pulled together for a common goal."

In a true team effort, the team captured its first EIWA championship, ahead of Penn and Lehigh, respectively. The elder Picarsic and Rechul led the way by winning individual titles at 133-lbs and heavyweight. This was only the second season in Crimson history for two grapplers to place first at EIWAs. Picarsic, who has placed all four years at the tournament, capped off a remarkable career with his best finish yet.

For his phenomenal performance--in which he pinned all four opponents-Rechul earned Outstanding Wrestler of the Tournament, the first heavyweight to do so since 1940. He also garnered the Most Falls in the Least Time, four in 19:39.