Wynn
Going into Cornell game, Penn wants to Wynn Ivy title outright
Chris Wynn came to Penn to win rings. As in plural. And why not? Under football coach Al Bagnoli, the Quakers had won six Ivy League titles in 11 seasons, beginning in 1993.
But sometimes, the road detours. So the defensive back from Flemington, N.J., and his fellow seniors entered their final season in danger of becoming the third consecutive class to leave the program without adding even one trophy to the display case.
"We talked about it, especially after coming so close last year," Wynn said. "It was obviously very frustrating. We had that fire burning inside us. That was our motivation, when you're in the weight room or getting up early to run. It's constantly in the back of your mind. You don't want to put so much work in, and leave without having anything to show for it."
Well, a degree from the Wharton School is never a bad thing, but you get the idea. Going out empty-handed, though, is no longer a possibility. The Quakers (7-2, 6-0) just saw to that with their 17-7 win at Harvard (6-3, 5-1), the two-time defending co-champion. So they can do no worse than finish in a tie with the Crimson for first.
Yet as a wise man once proclaimed, greed sure has its moments.
The Quakers can keep the prize all to themselves if they beat Cornell (2-7, 1-5) tomorrow at 1 p.m. at Franklin Field. Four of Bagnoli's championship teams went 7-0 in the Ivies, including the last one (2003). No distinction is made in the record books. Still, there's a difference.
"We want to end up the right way," said Wynn, a two-time first-team all-leaguer. "I think, of all the teams I wouldn't want to share it with, I'd hate to share it with Harvard. An undefeated season always looks better when your picture's up on that wall. It means something. You don't want that little asterisk next to it.
"Before the Harvard game, the thought of losing personally turned my stomach. You put 4 years into it . . . It's hard to remember a team that doesn't [win a title]. We'll take this with us for the rest of our lives. These are memories we're never going to forget. It definitely strengthens the bond between teammates when you're successful and achieve a goal."
Wynn injured his thigh in the second game and missed the next two. It was one of many casualties the Quakers had to deal with, including an epidemic at quarterback. But here they are, after starting 0-2. The defense has allowed 37 points in the last six games. Who could ask for much more?
"Every time we overcame one of these obstacles, it just brought us closer together," Wynn explained. "That kind of made whatever we had to face the rest of the season a little easier to handle. You learn from every experience. I really believe that allowed us to win some tight games as we went along. We just took care of business. Our goal each week is to pitch a no-hitter, not to let up five.
"You want to leave your mark, wherever you go. This is a fitting end to our careers. I couldn't picture a better scenario. You aspire one day to be part of everything that's come before. We've actually done it. Once you start winning, losing is that much worse. I want to make sure the younger guys have that same feeling. That means a lot to the seniors. If we keep winning, it all comes back to this season. We won first."
As in singular. Doesn't mean it tastes any less sweet. *
