New York, NY (U-WIRE) -- After a win over Princeton, followed by a defeat at Penn last weekend, the Columbia wrestling team (4-2, 1-1 Ivy) will return to the mats of University Gymnasium this Saturday to take on Cornell (6-4, 2-0 Ivy).

The Big Red should prove to be a formidable opponent for the Lions, who took fourth place in the New York State Championships two weeks ago. Last season, Cornell managed third place at the Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association Championships, finishing only two points behind perennial foe Penn.

Last weekend, though, while Columbia was taking on Princeton, Cornell faced Penn in Ithaca, where they proceeded to hand the Quakers a startling 30-3 loss.

"We had the option of having the homecoming against Princeton, which would be considered a guaranteed win, and I remember discussing it with the team and coaches, and we wanted a challenge," head coach Brendan Buckley said.

For the Lions, who fell to Penn 21-13, a win over Cornell would represent an upset, but neither Buckley nor his team members choose to enter the competition in that mindset.

"There's a quote that says, 'it's not an upset if you plan to win all along,'" Buckley said. "We wouldn't even step on the mat if we didn't think we could win."

Sophomore tri-captain Jeff Sato has had reason to believe he can win ever since he saw his opponent senior Mike Mormile at the Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association Championships.

"It was a match I definitely should have won," Sato said of the 2-1 loss to Mormile, who is ranked first in the EIWA in the 125-pound weight class.

Saturday's match-up will be "a big match to determine who the number one guy will be in the conference," according to Buckley. "Sato should beat him, especially after a big win last weekend."

The desire for revenge may also play a role in Saturday's meet. Earlier in the season at the Empire State Open, tri-captain sophomore Ricky Turk faced junior John Cholish, one of the highest ranked college wrestlers in the country. Turk was behind by only one point as the clock wound down, but a desperation takedown attempt failed and he ended up losing 11-8.

"Me and Turk are kind of both ready for a re-match," Sato said.

Other wrestlers to watch include sophomore Anthony Constantino at 141 pounds, who is, according to Buckley, "definitely looking a lot better since he took off for a couple of weeks."

Sophomore teammate Matt Palmer has been dominating at the 165-pound level, winning both of his matches last weekend. He is likely to face Cornell sophomore Joey Hooker.

Although competing against a top-ranked team is always nerve-wracking, the idea of making up for past losses and proving their ability to perform at the national level is exciting for the team.

"It's something that I've been looking forward to, and I hope to be able to put everything together when it comes time to step under the lights," Sato said.

(C) 2004 Columbia Daily Spectator via U-WIRE