Nov. 14, 2007
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. -
Complete Release in PDF Format
A battle of two of Eastern wrestling titans looms as No. 10  Penn State (1-0, 0-0 Big Ten) hosts No. 12 Hofstra (0-1) in a classic non-conference dual match. Action between the Nittany Lions and Pride is set for 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 17, in Penn State's Rec Hall. Two days later, Nittany Lion head coach Troy Sunderland will escort a three-time All-American Phil Davis to Oregon for the NWCA All-Star Classic.
Penn State enters the dual with a 1-0 mark after its season-opening 34-3 win over Maryland. Returning All-Americans Phil Davis and Jake Strayer were both impressive in their season debuts while sophomore Bubba Jenkins nabbed the dual's only pin. Davis, ranked No. 2 at 197, dominated No. 8 Hudson Taylor of Maryland to the tune of a 17-2 technical fall (in only 4:12); Strayer, ranked No. 7 at his new weight of 141, posted a convincing 14-0 major over No. 20 Charlie Pinto and Jenkins, ranked No. 7 at his new weight of 149, pinned Eric Medina in 3:56. Penn State won nine of the ten bouts, getting a major from No. 12 Dan Vallimont at 157 and decisions from No. 11 Mark McKnight at 125, Mark Friend at 174, Phil Bomberger at 184 and Stefan Tighe at HWT.
Hofstra comes in 0-1 after a thrilling 22-21 loss to No. 7 Missouri last Saturday. The Pride battled the seventh-ranked Tigers tooth-and-nail, splitting the bouts evenly at 5-5. But in a dual that saw eight of its ten bouts feature bonus points, Missouri won the extra point battle 7-6 to claim the slim victory.
The projected starting line-ups, as always subject to change, show the balance each team brings to the mat and proffers three potential match-ups between two nationally ranked foes. At 125, No. 10 McKnight gets a shot at Hofstra's Dave Tomasette, who enters the dual ranked No. 7. Penn State's Davis puts his No. 2 ranking on the line against No. 6 Joe Rovelli of Hofstra. Rovelli is coming off a 4-2 win over No. 3 Max Askren of Missouri last weekend. Another feature bout pits Penn State's Strayer, who puts his No. 7 ranking on the line against No. 2 Charles Griffin of Hofstra. Hofstra also has the services of No. 4 Lou Ruggirello at 133, who pinned No. 2 Tyler McCormick of Missouri last weekend. Pride 174-pounder Alton Lucas, while not ranked in the NWCA poll, is ranked in other national polls as well.
Following the Hofstra bout, Sunderland and Davis will head to Eugene, Ore., for the 2007 NWCA All-Star Classic. Davis will take on No. 3 Mike Tamillow of Northwestern in the 197 bout at the exhibition event, hosted by the University of Oregon. The event is set for Monday, Nov. 19, at 10 p.m. eastern. Live text coverage can be found at www.intermatwrestle.com.
The home dual, and all Penn State home duals, will be webcast live at www.GoPSUsports.com. The live video feed from Rec Hall will marry the audio cast from Jeff Byers, the voice of Penn State wrestling, that airs locally on WBLF 970 AM and WKVA 920 AM. For fans wishing to receive only the audio cast, it will be available as well. Home duals will feature live scoring at gopsusports.com, too. To access all of Penn State's live wrestling feeds, home or away, go to GoPSUsports.com's wrestling home page, click on schedule and choose your live link! Penn State will continue the 2007-08 campaign on Dec. 2 when it will take part in the Nittany Lion Open in Rec Hall. Action begins at 8:30 a.m. and continues throughout the day The Nittany Lion Open is not part of Penn State's regular ticket package. NLO tickets are $5 for adults, $3 for students, $2 as part of a group package and free to Nittany Lion Wrestling Club members, Penn State students with ID and season ticket holders. 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 to wrestling events for free! Season tickets are $28 for adults and seniors, youth 18 and under season tickets are $21. Fans can call 814-863-1000 or 800-833-5533 to order tickets.
POSSIBLE LINE-UPS - as of 11/13/07
#10 PENN STATE NITTANY LIONS (1-0, 0-0 Big ten)
125 #10 Mark McKnight Sr. McDonald, Pa./South Fayette 1-0
133 Tim Haas Sr. Camp Hill, Pa./Cedar Cliff 0-1
OR Mike Eagen Fr. Wharton, N.J./Morris Knolls 0-2
141 #7 Jake Strayer Jr. South Fork, Pa./Forest Hills 1-0
149 #7 Bubba Jenkins So. Virginia Beach, Va./First Colonial 1-0
157 #12 Dan Vallimont So. Lake Hopatcong, N.J./Jefferson Twp. 1-0
165 #16 Dave Rella So. Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio/Walsh Jesuit 1-0
174 Mark Friend Jr. Libertyville, Ill./Libertyville 1-0
184 #20 Philip Bomberger Jr. Port Royal, Pa./Juniata 1-0
197 #2 Philip Davis Sr. Harrisburg, Pa./Harrisburg 1-0
HWT Stefan Tighe So. Erie, Pa./Cathedral Prep 1-0
#12 HOFSTRA PRIDE (0-1)
125 #7 Dave Tomasette Sr. Sewell, N.J./Washington Twp. 1-0
133 #4 Lou Ruggirello So. Walden, N.Y./Valley Central 1-0
141 #2 Charles Griffin Sr. Reading, Pa./Reading 1-0
149 Mitch Smith So. Sandyville, W.V./Ripley 0-1
157 Jonny Bonilla-Bowman So. Pomona, N.Y./Ramapo 0-1
165 Ryan Patrovich Fr. Bohemia, N.Y./Islip 0-1
174 Alton Lucas Jr. West Babylon, N.Y./West Babylon 1-0
184 Jeff Siciliano Fr. West Allenhurst, N.J./Ocean Township 0-1
197 #6 Joe Rovelli Sr. Wilkes-Barre, Pa./E.L. Meyers 1-0
HWT James Guerin Jr. Long Beach, N.Y./Holy Trinity 0-1
All rankings listed are USA Today/NWCA as of 11/13/07
PENN STATE VS. HOFSTRA: THE SERIES Penn State and Hofstra have met only five times, with the Nittany Lions coming out on top four times. Hofstra won the last meeting between the two teams, 24-10 in Hempstead last season. Mark McKnight, Jake Strayer and Aaron Anspach were the only Nittany Lions to win in the daul. Penn State's last win over the Pride was a 29-16 victory on Jan. 10, 2003, at the Virginia Duals.
PENN STATE HOME DUALS TO FEATURE LIVE VIDEO WEBCASTS AT GOPSUSPORTS.COM! Marrying the audio from Jeff Byers' outstanding radio broadcasts with a live video feed from center mat in Rec Hall will allow Penn State fans all over the world to watch each and every home dual meet live at www.GoPSUsports.com. Every Penn State home dual will feature the live webcast and is free to the public. Just go to GoPSUsports.com's wrestling home page, click on schedule and follow the live links!
LIONS WIN NINE OF TEN TO TAKE DOWN TALENTED TERRAPINS Penn State won nine of ten bouts to take down a young and talented Maryland Terrapin team. Senior Phil Davis got a technical fall at 197, junior All-American Jake Strayer and sophomore Dan Vallimont got majors at 141 and 157 while sophomore Bubba Jenkins thrilled the crowd with a pin at 149. Mark McKnight (125), Dave Rella (165), Mark Friend (174), Phil Bomberger (184) and Stefan Tighe (HWT) all grabbed major decisions in the victory.
DAVIS HAMMERS #8 TAYLOR FOR ROUSING SEASON OPENING WIN No. 2 Phil Davis met No. 8 Hudson Taylor of Maryland in his first action of the year on 11/11. What many expected to be a battle of titans turned into a short-lived bout as Davis piled on back-points and more back points on his way to a 17-2 technical fall over the talented Terrapin sophomore in only 4:12.
STRAYER MAJOR'S #20 PINTO No. 7 Jake Strayer, an All-American at 133 last year and making his collegiate debut at 141, gave notice to the nation with a resounding 14-0 major decision over No. 20 Charlie Pinto in Penn State's season-opening dual match win over Maryland.
ERWIN AND LABORANTI WIN MSU OPEN TITLES 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.
FORMER LIONS CUMMINS AND SMITH COMPETE AT INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS Former Penn State wrestling stand-outs Pat Cummins and Adam Smith competed in the Hargobind International Wrestling Championships held in Surrey, British Columbia, no Nov. 2-3. Former HWT All-American Pat Cummins brought home a Bronze Medal at 120 kg/264.5 lbs. Former Lion stand-out and Director of Operations Adam Smith took placed fifth at 55 kg/121 lbs.
2007-08 AUTOGRAPHED POSTER UP FOR GRABS IN GOPSUSPORTS.COM'S ONLINE AUCTION! An autographed copy of the official 2007-08 Nittany Lion Wrestling Poster, featuring All-Americans Phil Davis and Jake Strayer, is up for grabs until Nov. 19 in GoPSUsports.com's official online auction site. The poster, which is autographed by the entire 2007-08 squad and coaching staff, can be bid upon by going to www.GoPSUsports.com and clicking on the auction button in the top navigational bar.
NEARLY 1,800 CHEER WRESTLE-OFFS Nearly 1,800 fans filled Rec Hall as the 2007-08 wrestling season had its table set with Penn State's annual Wrestle-Offs. Twenty five Nittany Lion grapplers took to the mats to stake their claims on the Penn State depth chart this season. Head coach Troy Sunderland's two returning All-Americans, Phil Davis at 197 and Jake Strayer at 141, did not wrestle in the event. Davis, ranked No. 2 nationally at 197, was the only wrestler entered at his weight while Strayer, ranked No. 7 at 141, did not compete due to a slight injury. Still nine of ten weight classes featured exciting action. Junior Mark Friend (at 174), junior Phil Bomberger (184) and sophomore Stefan Tighe (HWT) won the three most competitive weight classes in the exhibition.
DAVIS SELECTED TO PARTICIPATE IN 2007 NWCA ALL-STAR CLASSIC Penn State Nittany Lion Phil Davis (Harrisburg, Pa.) has been selected to participate in the 2007 National Wrestling Coaches Association All-Star Classic. Ranked No. 2 at 197 pounds, the Nittany Lion senior will face No. 3 Mike Tamillow of Northwestern on Monday, Nov. 19 The 42nd edition of the NWCA All-Star Classic presented by the United States Marine Corps heads to the Pacific Northwest for the first time in 17 years as Eugene, Ore., will host the annual wrestling spectacle. This year's lineup features six top-ranked wrestlers in Division I, one top-ranked wrestler in Division II, eight second-ranked wrestlers from Division I along with four #3's and one #4. In all, 14 different schools will be represented and will comprise athletes from the Big Ten, Big 12, Colonial, EIWA, EWL, Pac 10 and Division II. Davis was selected to wrestle in the event last year along with teammate James Yonushonis (Philipsburg, Pa.), but did not make weight. Yonushonis won his bout at 174. Davis is a three-time All-American with a 90-19 career record. He has placed seventh, second and fifth at nationals and was the 2006 Big Ten Champion. Davis downed Tamillow 8-2 in his only meeting against him last year. Tamillow, however, went on to win the Big Ten title.
DAVIS, HAAS AND STRAYER NAMED 2007-08 TEAM CAPTAINS Three of Penn State's most respected wrestlers have been named team captains for the upcoming 2007-08 season, Nittany Lion head coach Troy Sunderland announced. Seniors Phil Davis (Harrisburg, Pa.) and Tim Haas (Camp Hill, Pa.) and junior Jake Strayer (South Fork, Pa.) will be tri-captains during the upcoming campaign. Davis is a three-time All-American at 197 and is trying to become only the fourth four-time All-American in Penn State's 100 years of wrestling. Strayer earned All-America honors at 133 last season, placing seventh in Detroit and going 27-8 on the year. An outstanding talent, Haas has a 22-8 career record, including a 14-7 mark two years ago at 125.
LIONS RANKED #10 IN USA TODAY/NWCA POLL; BOMBERGER'S #20 DEBUT AT 184 HIGHLIGHTS SEVEN INDIVIDUALS The Penn State Nittany Lion wrestling team moved to No. 10 in the latest USA Today/NWCA Coaches Poll as published by Intermat (at www.intermatwrestle.com ). Head coach Troy Sunderland also has seven individuals ranked among the top 20, including junior Phil Bomberger (Port Royal, Pa.), who makes his national rankings debut at 184 pounds. Penn State sits in tenth place on the Nov. 13 version of the poll, one of five Big Ten teams dominating the top of the rankings. Minnesota is tops on the list and received all 12 first place votes. Iowa State follows in second with Oklahoma State sitting in third. Big Ten entrants Iowa (4), Michigan (5) and Northwestern (6) follow before Missouri (7), Cornell (8), Central Michigan (9) and Penn State check in. Four other Big Ten teams are ranked among the top 25, including Wisconsin (11), Ohio State (15), Indiana (16) and Illinois (18). Penn State is the top Pennsylvania school on this list once again. Senior All-American Phil Davis (Harrisburg, Pa.) leads Penn State's seven ranked individuals with his No. 2 tag at 197. Junior All-American Jake Strayer (South Fork, Pa.) sits at No. 7 at 141 while sophomore Bubba Jenkins (Virginia Beach, Va.) is No. 7 at 149. Senior Mark McKnight (McDonald, Pa.) moves up to No. 10 at 125 while sophomore Dan Vallimont (Lake Hopatcong, N.J.) is No. 12 at 157. Sophomore Dave Rella (Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio) maintains his No. 16 spot at 165. Bomberger, Penn State's junior 184-pounder, makes his national rankings debut with a No. 20 nod.
LIONS RANKED #10 IN AWN PRE-SEASON POLL; DAVIS #2 AT 197 TO LEAD EIGHT INDIVIDUALS The Penn State Nittany Lion wrestling team, featuring a potential starting line-up comprised of perhaps five sophomores, has garnered a No. 10 team ranking from Amateur Wrestling News. The national wrestling publication has just released its preseason team and individual rankings. Senior 197-pounder Phil Davis (Harrisburg, Pa.) leads a strong contingent of eight ranked individuals. The Big Ten once again dominates the top ten, with Minnesota, Michigan, Iowa, Northwestern and Ohio State comprising the entire top five. Oklahoma State, Central Michigan, Cornell, Nebraska and Penn State round out the top ten. Penn State, as the top ranked team from Pennsylvania in the early poll, gives the conference six of the nation's top ten squads on the early list. Iowa State (11), Wisconsin (12), Indiana (13), Illinois (14), Missouri (15), Pittsburgh (16), Hofstra (17), American (18), Navy (19) and Edinboro (20) round out the preseason poll. In all, nine of the Big Ten's 11 teams are ranked by AWN. Davis, a three-time All-American for Penn State, heads into the season ranked No. 2 at 197, right behind defending national champion Josh Glenn of American. Davis will be looking to grab his first national crown and become the fourth four-time All-American in Penn State history. Dave Erwin is No. 9 at 174, Jake Strayer is No. 10 at 141, Bubba Jenkins is No. 11 at 149, Mark McKnight is No. 12 at 125, Dan Vallimont is No. 14 at 157, Dave Rella is No. 14 at 165 and Tim Haas is No. 18 at 133.
LIONS RANKED #12 IN W.I.N. MAGAZINE PRE-SEASON POLL; DAVIS #2 AT 197 W.I.N. Magazine released its pre-season poll in early October and the Nittany Lions checked in at No. 12 on the national publication's season-starting poll. Phil Davis is ranked No. 2 at 197 to lead seven ranked individual: Mark McKnight is No. 12 at 125; Jake Strayer was No. 3 at 133 but will move to 141; Bubba Jenkins is No. 12 at 149; Dan Vallimont is No. 11 at 157; Dave Rella is No. 15 at 165; and Dave Erwin is No. 15 at 174
DAVIS MOVING UP CAREER LISTS! Senior Phil Davis heads is nearing the 100 win mark. Entering his senior year with a 90-19 mark, Davis is now 91-19 overall. He is just nine wins shy from becoming the 24th member of Penn State's 100-win club. When he reaches 100 wins he will tie current Nittany Lion head coach Troy Sunderland on that illustrious list of all-time win leaders in Penn State history (Sunderland has 100 career wins).
Davis' 42 dual wins is just five shy of moving into a tie for 14th place all-time, equalling the mark of 47 held by both Dan Mayo and Andy Voit. The Harrisburg native's 22 pins (Davis is 22-1 in matches decided by a fall) is currently 16h all-time at Penn State. The Nittany Lion has competed in 110 career matches, giving him a shot at reaching Glenn Pritzlaff's career total of 135, which would be 20th all-time in PSU history.
NITTANY LIONS ONCE AGAIN INK TOP THREE RECRUITING CLASS Penn State Nittany Lion wrestling coach Troy Sunderland and his coaching staff have once again notched the No. 3 ranked recruiting class in the country according to Intermat, the National Wrestling Coaches Association's official website. The 2007 class follows last year's No. 3 ranking as well, giving the Nittany Lion staff two straight top-three classes. Led by five high school All-Americans, Penn State is ranked just behind No. 1 Ohio State and No. 2 Missouri, making the Lions the second-ranked Big Ten school on the list and the only Pennsylvania program in the top 12. Virginia Tech and defending national champion Minnesota round out the top five. Oklahoma State follows at No. 6 with Michigan stepping in at No. 7 as one of four Big Ten schools in the top ten. Virginia (8), Northern Iowa (9) and Kent State (10) round out the top ten. The remainder of the top 20 is as follows: Oklahoma (11), Oregon State (12), Lehigh (13), Edinboro (14), Cornell (15), Old Dominion (16), Lock Haven (17), Nebraska (18), Hofstra (19) and Harvard (20). Intermat ranks the top 30 recruiting classes, with the last ten as follows: Penn (21), Michigan State (22), Eastern Michigan (23), Columbia (24), Indiana (25), Iowa State (26), Iowa (27), Bucknell (28), George Mason (29) and Northwestern (30).