Wrestling cancels trip to Southern Scuffle over COVID-19 concerns

Upper West Side NY

08 January, 2022

3:10 PM

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Columbia Daily Spectator BY TAKASHI WILLIAMS • DECEMBER 29, 2021, 11:28 PM On Tuesday, the Columbia wrestling team withdrew from the Southern Scuffle, an intercollegiate wrestling tournament set for Jan.1 and 2, citing COVID-19 concerns and safety protocols as cases rise throughout the United States. The decision by the Lions (0-1, 0-0 EIWA) comes nearly a week after the University announced that there will be online classes for the first two weeks of the spring semester after 849 Columbia affiliates tested positive for COVID-19 during the week of Dec. 13 to 19. This announcement also preceded Columbia Athletics' announcement to bar fans from home athletic events until Jan. 18. This policy allows for only "participating players, coaches, and officials, as well as athletics administrators and essential personnel required to conduct an NCAA Division I contest." As a result of this policy, the Lions will hold their next collegiate bout against Long Island University (0-4) behind closed doors. The Light Blue will then go on to play two nationally ranked schools: No. 17 Lehigh University (4-4) and No. 4 Oklahoma State University (7-0). Wrestling's winter break matches will conclude against West Virginia University (5-3) in Morgantown, West Virginia. Despite their withdrawal from the tournament, the Lions still have much to be optimistic about in their packed upcoming schedule. Four Columbia wrestlers are currently nationally ranked by Intermat, including sophomore wrestler Joshua Ogunsanya, who placed seventh in the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invite earlier this month and is currently ranked No. 23 in the 165-pound NCAA Division I InterMat ranking. He is joined in the rankings by junior Joe Manchio, who is ranked No. 20 in the 125-pound; senior Matt Kazimir, who is ranked No. 13 in the 141-pound; and sophomore Kyle Mosher, who is ranked No. 30 in the 157-pound. With no audience to cheer them on, the Lions will be welcoming the Sharks in an empty Levien Gymnasium on Jan. 9. Fans will still be able to catch Columbia's first Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association meet against Long Island University on ESPN+ at 1 p.m. Founded in 1877, the Columbia Daily Spectator is the independent undergraduate newspaper of Columbia University, serving thousands of readers in Morningside Heights, West Harlem, and beyond. Read more at columbiaspectator.com and donate here.