MOUNT VERNON – On the heels of an impressive 14-5 dual season and No. 13 final national ranking, Cornell's men's wrestling program looks to carry momentum into a new campaign which gets underway this weekend against a perennial power.
 
Coach Brent Hamm's Rams open competition against No. 5 UW-La Crosse for a 5 p.m. neutral-site meet Saturday in Madison, Wis.
 
"We'll get battled tested right away," said Hamm, entering his 8th year at the helm. "We'll have some top-ranked matchups Saturday."
 
The Rams return seven starters and six regional placewinners from a year ago, led by a pair of nationally-ranked individuals with junior Brian Petry (No. 8 at 165 pounds) and senior Jackson Brinker (No. 11 at 197).
 
Petry finished 33-10 last season, placed third at regionals and qualified for the NCAA Championships, going 2-2 in his national debut. He was one win short of earning all-America status.
 
Brinker has bumped down from heavyweight after going 17-13 with a seventh-place regional showing. He is the team's active wins leader (67) and stands ninth on Cornell's career pins list with 36.
 
"Petry is on a mission to win an NCAA title," Hamm said. "He and Brinker are both all-American caliber guys right now."
 
The Rams enter the season with eight individuals ranked among the top six in Region VI, according to the NWCA Poll. Junior AJ Parrish (15-13 last season) is No. 2 at 157, after placing fourth at regionals last March.
 
Senior Jase Van Pelt (24-9 at 125), senior Eli Sneed (25-15 at 133) and sophomore Jace Nelson-Brown (13-11 at 174) are returning regional placers. Senior Elliot Cooney (12-17 at 141) was also in last year's regional lineup.
 
The experienced group will try to offset the loss of three graduated 100-match winners in Cael McLaren (109), Treyten Steffen (109) and Landon Card (102).
 
"We'll need big performances from our veteran leaders. They need to wrestle to their capabilities," Hamm said. "We're going to have 10 guys ready to go. We'll fight and we'll be in good shape."
 
Cornell brings back 12 letterwinners, including sophomore Jayson Stevens (21-6 at 133) and seniors Christian Diaz (141), Jayden Rael (14-6 at 141), Landen Schemmel (13-13 at 184) and Austin Wilkins (10-8 at 184). Dylan Heater (141), Cooper Ludwig (149) and Braydon Hoffman (285) are projected opening day starters.  
 
The Rams carry 23 freshmen and sophomores on their 40-man roster.
 
"We have a lot of quality guys in our room," Hamm said. "We have depth at several weights and it will be exciting to see which guys step up. We have a solid group of freshmen who are working hard and will make an impact long term."
 
Cornell hosts the Ram Duals on Dec. 13 and the annual Cliff Keen-Mike Duroe Invitational Jan. 17. The Rams welcome UW-Oshkosh Feb. 6 for Senior Night.
 
The Region VI Championships are Feb. 27-28 in Dubuque and the NCAA Championships March 13-14 at Alliant Energy PowerHouse in Cedar Rapids.