NEW YORK - After two open tournaments, the Columbia wrestling team will begin the dual portion of its schedule on Saturday, November 28 when it competes at the Northeast Duals in Troy, N.Y. at Hudson Valley Community College.  The Lions will face Bloomsburg at 11 a.m., University of North Carolina at 3:15 p.m., and Sacred Heart at 5 p.m.

Last Time Out
Columbia finished eighth out of 12 teams at the Body Bar Invitational on Saturday, November 21.  Eren Civan finished second at 165 pounds, upsetting top-seeded Shane Onufer of Wyoming, 8-7 in the opening round.  A trio of first-years placed in the tournament, including Stephen West who finished third at 174, Steve Santos took fourth at 149, and Jake O'Hara was sixth at 141. Sophomore Jonathan Weibel took fourth at 174.

Scouting the Opponents
Bloomsburg is 2-1 so far this season in dual action.  The Huskies defeated Boston University 26-9 and Millersville 40-(-1), but recently fell to No. 15 Penn State, 23-15.

UNC also boasts a 2-1 record thus far.  The Tarheels upset then-No. 16 American 26-9 and Gardner-Webb 43-0.  Their lone loss this season has come at the hands of Bucknell, in a tight 19-14 battle.  The Tar Heels are led by the nationally-ranked trio of No. 11 Dennis Drury (6-1) at 197 pounds, No. 11 Nick Stabile (4-0) at 149 and No. 14 Thomas Scotton (8-0) at 157.

Columbia's final opponent of the day will be Sacred Heart.  The Pioneers are 1-6 entering the weekend, suffering losses to Rutgers, Drexel, Pittsburgh, Edinboro and Harvard.  Sacred Heart picked up its first win of the season with a 28-15 victory over Stevens Tech.

Looking Ahead
The Lions will travel west for their annual trip to the Las Vegas Invitational.  The two-day tournament will take place in Primm, Nevada on Friday, December 4 and Saturday December 5.