Nov. 12, 2007
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. - Not letting defeat in Wrestle-Offs last weekend dampen their aspirations at national glory this season, two Penn State sophomores traveled to East Lansing, Mich., this past weekend and came away with titles at the MSU Open. Sophomores David Erwin (Urbana, Ohio) and John Laboranti (Scranton, Pa.) won titles at 174 and heavyweight, respectively.
Erwin, ranked No. 11 nationally at his new weight of 174, posted a 5-0 record with two major decisions, giving notice that the Lion sophomore is still a factor on the national scene. Erwin was to face No. 8 Nick Hayes in the finals, but Hayes bowed out with an injury forfeit. Laboranti went 4-0 at HWT with a major as well. Laboranti downed Edinboro's Terry Tate in the finals, 9-4. True freshman Cameron Wade (Mayfield, Ohio), wrestling unattached, advanced to the semifinals at HWT before falling 3-1 to Tate. Wade went 2-3 and placed sixth in his first collegiate event.
No. 11 Penn State will host No. 13 Hofstra in its next dual, welcoming the 13th-ranked Pride to Rec Hall on Saturday, Nov. 17, for a 1 p.m. dual. Tickets for all regular season duals are on sale now at the athletic department ticket office in the Bryce Jordan Center. Single-dual tickets are $5 for adults and seniors and $3 for students 18 and under. Penn State students with a proper student ID are admitted free! Season tickets are $28 for adults and seniors while youth 18 and under season tickets are $21. Fans can call 814-863-1000 or 800-833-5533 to order single-dual or season tickets. All Penn State duals will be broadcast locally on WBLF 970 AM and WKVA 920 AM and streamed live at www.GoPSUsports.com. In addition, each Penn State home dual match will feature live scoring and a live video web cast. The live web cast marries a live video feed with Byers' radio call for a truly unique and exciting live video feed of the match.