Wrestling is a sport that involves two large men trying to twist each other into unnatural shapes and pin each other against the ground for three seconds.

At the University of Arizona, wrestling faded away in the early 1980s after the implementation of Title IX led to cuts in varsity sports.

This year it has returned, albeit in club play. The Arizona wrestling team is back, but its future is anything but clear.

"We need to get funding," head coach Bill Nelson said.

With the Associated Students having cut all funds for sports clubs recently, the wrestling club is seeking sponsors to help it gain the necessary money to be able to compete on the road and have adequate practice facilities here.

The club is also looking for members to fill out its roster.

"We're looking for new members who have experience, not beginners," club adviser Mark Marrero said. "We're missing a heavyweight, but other than that we almost have a complete team."

Marrero, a junior, is also a wrestler for the team. He worked as a referee for intramural wrestling at the Rec Center last year. That and his status as a resident assistant allowed him to be an adviser.

In its first meet, the team traveled to Phoenix College to compete against several teams, including nationally ranked Arizona State.

"We took only eight players on only three weeks of practice," Marrero said. "Two of our guys came away with third-place medals. It's kind of an accomplishment for us."

Freshman Eric Friedman took home a third-place medal at 131 pounds while senior Kevin Murphy took one at 139. Freshman Alfonso Caranza finished one win away from a medal at 155 pounds.

The club feels especially lucky to have landed Nelson as coach. Nelson is the son of former UA wrestling coach William Nelson. He competed on his father's 1973 team that had two wrestlers place third nationally, the best showing in the history of UA wrest ling.

"We were looking to ask his dad for help," Marrero said. "He just happened to be there when we called."

"I'd be here if we had only two or three guys out," Nelson said. "I want to get back over on campus. We should be over there."

Since the Rec Center's wrestling mats date back to the 1970s, the club has been forced to practice at Tucson High School.

"(Tucson High coach) Augie Romero has been excellent for letting us use this place," Nelson said.

The club has also received help from coaches at ASU, Phoenix College and Embery Riddle College in Prescott. Asics donated 40 pairs of shoes and Tucson High gave the team singlets, the wrestling uniforms.

Many of the wrestlers are concerned with adding more members to the team.

"We need people that are disciplined and ready for hard work," sophomore Richard Moriarity said. "They need some experience. We don't mind having other people try out, but they need to be ready for commitment. It's a serious sport."

"It's going to take us a couple of years to become competitive," Nelson said. "But I'm not here for the financial reward."

The team will travel to Phoenix College again Dec. 7 for a dual meet.

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