The WVBR Sports Blog:
The Voice of the Big Red
The Voice of the Big Red
Cornell not just a hockey school anymore
Big Red Wrestling, Lacrosse also strong
Original Airdate: Wednesday, February 3, 2010. This is a part of the 93-Second Sports Shot series. 93-Second Sports Shots air weekday nights at 6pm.
Right now it is a very exciting time to be a Cornell Big Red fan. The Red have an amazing six teams nationally ranked in Division I athletics- men's basketball, men's and women's ice hockey, men's and women's lacrosse, and wrestling. However, most of the headlines are dominated by two of those squads- Men's hockey, the traditional power and top dog of Cornell Athletics, and Men's Basketball, which has came on strong having made the NCAA Tournament the past two seasons. The success of Men's basketball has certainly helped Cornell slowly shed it's label as a hockey school. However, all teams, especially the other high successful ones, should receive increased attention as well.
The men's lacrosse team, for example, was seconds away from a national championship last season before ultimately falling in overtime in the national championship game. Still, the run to the final was another confirmation that the Big Red are currently a lacrosse powerhouse. Cornell has qualified for the NCAA Tournament six straight years, making the final four twice. Three Big Red seniors from a year ago were drafted by Major League Lacrosse, including standout Max Sieblad who was taken second overall, and helped lead his team to the league finals. This year, Cornell still returns a solid core of players, and is ranked sixth to start the season. Hopefully, the excitement and attendance will continue to grow, as fans know that they have the opportunity to see a national championship contender and multiple future professionals.
Another team which is often overlooked despite it's success is the Big Red Wrestling team. Cornell has been among the nation's top programs for years, and is currently rated number seven in the country. The Red feature several contenders for individual national championships. Junior Mack Lewnes is undefeated and number one in the 174 pound weight class. Lewnes, who won a national championship two years ago but was upset as a number one seed last year, is having a dominant season as he has not allowed an offensive point all season, which is the primary way to score in a match. Meanwhile, defending national champion Troy Nickerson is number two at 125 pounds, despite injuries this year. The senior will look to add to his legacy as he is already probably the greatest wrestler in New York State high school history, having won an unprecedented five state titles. Since there is no professional league for traditional wrestling, fans have the chance to see the best in the business when attending Cornell wrestling matches.
Cornell is fortunate enough to have a multitude of teams currently competing at a high level in Division I athletics. While basketball and hockey get most of the attention, teams like lacrosse and wrestling should not be overlooked, as Cornell has some of the best athletes at those sports in the world.
Right now it is a very exciting time to be a Cornell Big Red fan. The Red have an amazing six teams nationally ranked in Division I athletics- men's basketball, men's and women's ice hockey, men's and women's lacrosse, and wrestling. However, most of the headlines are dominated by two of those squads- Men's hockey, the traditional power and top dog of Cornell Athletics, and Men's Basketball, which has came on strong having made the NCAA Tournament the past two seasons. The success of Men's basketball has certainly helped Cornell slowly shed it's label as a hockey school. However, all teams, especially the other high successful ones, should receive increased attention as well.
The men's lacrosse team, for example, was seconds away from a national championship last season before ultimately falling in overtime in the national championship game. Still, the run to the final was another confirmation that the Big Red are currently a lacrosse powerhouse. Cornell has qualified for the NCAA Tournament six straight years, making the final four twice. Three Big Red seniors from a year ago were drafted by Major League Lacrosse, including standout Max Sieblad who was taken second overall, and helped lead his team to the league finals. This year, Cornell still returns a solid core of players, and is ranked sixth to start the season. Hopefully, the excitement and attendance will continue to grow, as fans know that they have the opportunity to see a national championship contender and multiple future professionals.
Another team which is often overlooked despite it's success is the Big Red Wrestling team. Cornell has been among the nation's top programs for years, and is currently rated number seven in the country. The Red feature several contenders for individual national championships. Junior Mack Lewnes is undefeated and number one in the 174 pound weight class. Lewnes, who won a national championship two years ago but was upset as a number one seed last year, is having a dominant season as he has not allowed an offensive point all season, which is the primary way to score in a match. Meanwhile, defending national champion Troy Nickerson is number two at 125 pounds, despite injuries this year. The senior will look to add to his legacy as he is already probably the greatest wrestler in New York State high school history, having won an unprecedented five state titles. Since there is no professional league for traditional wrestling, fans have the chance to see the best in the business when attending Cornell wrestling matches.
Cornell is fortunate enough to have a multitude of teams currently competing at a high level in Division I athletics. While basketball and hockey get most of the attention, teams like lacrosse and wrestling should not be overlooked, as Cornell has some of the best athletes at those sports in the world.
WVBR SPORTS BLOG ARCHIVE
~ECAC Hockey Playoffs scenarios (Sun 3/14) 3 Comments
~Pointless March Madness Speculation (Fri 3/12)
~Video Technology in Sports (Thu 3/11)
~UOBBS (Wed 3/10)
~2010 NFL Mock Draft (Tue 3/9)
~Sad thing is...Part II (Tue 3/9)
~Sad thing is... (Mon 3/8)
~Cornell to face Harvard at Lynah next weekend (Sun 3/7)
~Women's Sports at Cornell (Thu 3/4)
~Women in Baseball? (Wed 3/3) 1 Comment
~Cornell's Keys to Advancing in the NCAA's (Tue 3/2)
~Cornell and ECAC Hockey Rundown (Sun 2/28) 1 Comment
~Cornell Victorious on Senior Night (Sat 2/27)
~Cornell Tames the Tigers (Fri 2/26)
~Changes for the 2014 Games (Thu 2/25)
~How important is player-franchise loyalty in sports? (Wed 2/24) 1 Comment
~Preview to the NFL Draft (Tue 2/23)
~The MLB Off-season In Review (Thu 2/18) 1 Comment
~Cornell Hockey Keys to Success (Wed 2/17)
~Cornell Vs. Colgate Men's Ice Hockey (Tue 2/16)
~Pointless March Madness Speculation (Fri 3/12)
~Video Technology in Sports (Thu 3/11)
~UOBBS (Wed 3/10)
~2010 NFL Mock Draft (Tue 3/9)
~Sad thing is...Part II (Tue 3/9)
~Sad thing is... (Mon 3/8)
~Cornell to face Harvard at Lynah next weekend (Sun 3/7)
~Women's Sports at Cornell (Thu 3/4)
~Women in Baseball? (Wed 3/3) 1 Comment
~Cornell's Keys to Advancing in the NCAA's (Tue 3/2)
~Cornell and ECAC Hockey Rundown (Sun 2/28) 1 Comment
~Cornell Victorious on Senior Night (Sat 2/27)
~Cornell Tames the Tigers (Fri 2/26)
~Changes for the 2014 Games (Thu 2/25)
~How important is player-franchise loyalty in sports? (Wed 2/24) 1 Comment
~Preview to the NFL Draft (Tue 2/23)
~The MLB Off-season In Review (Thu 2/18) 1 Comment
~Cornell Hockey Keys to Success (Wed 2/17)
~Cornell Vs. Colgate Men's Ice Hockey (Tue 2/16)
