| Sophomore Phil Davis claimed the Big Ten title at 197 pounds with a 4-0 win over top-seeded Tyrone Byrd of Illinois. Davis went 4-0 over the weekend and is one of eight Nittany Lions headed to nationals. |
The No. 8 Penn State Nittany Lion wrestlers (13-4, 5-3 Big Ten, 4th Big Ten Tournament), under the guidance of head coach Troy Sunderland, will head to Oklahoma City for the 2006 NCAA Wrestling Championships on March 16-18. Eight Nittany Lion wrestlers will take part thanks to their qualifying performance at the Big Ten Championships, where the Nittany Lions placed fourth as a team.
Penn State closed out the 2006 Big Ten Championships with a flourish, going 9-3 on the final day, upping its total of qualifiers to eight thanks to three wins in seventh place bouts, crowning a team champion and pushing past rivals Iowa and Northwestern to grab fourth place in the team standings. Phil Davis claimed the crown at 197 with a 4-0 win over Illinois' Tyrone Byrd. Freshman Jake Strayer was Penn State's next highest finisher, going 4-1 to take third at 133. Eric Bradley was fourth at 184, James Yonushonis and Joel Edwards were fifth at 174 and HWT respectively. DeWitt Driscoll (141), James Woodall (149) and Nathan Galloway (157) each won their seventh place bouts to qualify for nationals, bringing Penn State's total to eight.
The eight qualifiers is the most for Penn State since sending eight in 2003 and the fourth place team finish is the squad's best since placing third in 2003.
RECENT HEADLINES
3.5.2006Davis Claims Title at 197 and Leads Nittany Lions to Stellar Day in Big Ten Wrestling Championships Eight Nittany Lions qualify for Nationals as Penn State takes fourth in team race
3.4.2006Davis Earns Spot in Big Ten Finals as Penn State Sits in 5th Place After Second Session of Big Ten Championships Penn State has five national qualifiers with three still alive to earn spots in Oklahoma City
3.4.2006Nittany Lion Wrestlers Advance Four to Semifinals and Remain in Team Title Hunt After Session 1 of Big Ten Championships Penn State goes 8-6 and qualifies the four semifinalists for nationals
3.3.2006 - FEATUREThe Light at the End of the TunnelNittany Lion wrestlers ready themselves for 2006 Big Ten Championships with a team title in the offing and a shot at nationals on the line